The watchmaker from Grenchen has released a brand new version of its flagship model which initially saw the light of day more than three decades ago. New Breitling Chronomat 44 Blacksteel is distinguished with an all-black appearance as well as with square-shaped chrono sub-counters. Additionally, the novelty boasts a new type of strap, made of fabric and rubber. The watch from the Chronomat series is equipped with Breitling B 01 self-winding movement which is exposed on the back side of the case and embellished with a blackened oscillating weight.
Breitling Chronomat which was originally a part of the now discontinued Windrider series has been around for more than thirty years. During this time, it has become one of the most recognizable models in the brand’s entire palette of products. The flagship model is now launched in a brand new all-black version which is surprisingly even darker than the model called Raven (which we have previously written about). New Chronomat 44 Blacksteel has an all-black fuselage, consisting of a black case and a bezel in the same color. By the way, the ratcheted bezel rotates in one direction and it possesses eight oversized numerals made of inlayed rubber.
The dial of the watch is also black, with the exception of gray hands and numerals (which are additionally treated with beige luminous coating) as well as red pointers of the chronograph feature.
Speaking of the dial, it has an instrument-like appearance which was achieved not only with the mentioned red pointers, but also with the uncommon square-shaped chrono sub-counters. Furthermore, the periphery of the dark face of the watch includes second markers, as well as tachymetric scale which is located even further out, on the inner bezel. There is also a date display whose aperture is jammed between four and five o’clock positions.
As it is clear from the name of the piece, Chronomat 44 Blacksteel has a housing made of stainless steel with black carbon treatment. The case is 44 mm wide and 16.95 mm thick. It includes a screw-locked crown, a screw-down transparent case-back, as well as a cambered sapphire with a double anti-reflective treatment. Moreover, the watch possesses respectable water resistance to 200 meters (660 feet), while the weight of the watch without the strap measures to exactly 128.6 grams.
Breitling Chronomat 44 Blacksteel introduces a new type of attachment in the brand’s offer called Military Rubber. The wristlet is made of the combination of resilient fabric (which is used on the upper side) and rubber, placed on the under-side so it would make it more comfortable on the wrist. In accordance with the general theme and styling of the piece, the rubber is also black.
As its many “relatives” from the Chronomat family, the novel timekeeper is supplied with Breitling B 01 caliber, the first in-house caliber by Breitling. The initial proprietary movement by the watchmaker was premiered more than a decade ago. Unsurprisingly, the first watch to be equipped with it was also a Chronomat.
Breitling B 01 is a self-winding mechanical column-wheel chronograph caliber. It integrates 47 jewels in its construction and it operates at the frequency of 28,800 vph. It has the accuracy of within 1/4th of a second. In addition to the central seconds chrono hand, it provides subsidiary counters for small seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours. Moreover, it possesses an extended power storage which last for at least 70 hours.
In order to match the overall styling of the watch, the winding rotor is blackened which can be seen though the transparent section of the case-back.
