Hands on Breitling's Significant Progress: Its First Perpetual Calendar Movement

As you may well have heard, this year marks Breitling’s 140th anniversary, a significant milestone for the brand. In celebration, Breitling has introduced three exceptional timepieces, each equipped with their first-ever in-house perpetual calendar movement. But the surprises don’t end here—there’s more to come, and we’ll keep you updated right here in Waqt.

Under the leadership of Georges Kern, Breitling has delved deep into its history, redefining the brand with models that honor its heritage and the original vision established back in 1884.

The new collection features the Premier, Navitimer, and Super Chronomat, a trio unveiled at Geneva Watch Days 2024. While those were bustling days, we had the chance to view these impressive pieces firsthand at the Breitling boutique in Dubai Mall. Check out our full impressions here.

What makes these releases particularly special is Breitling’s development of an in-house perpetual calendar movement, the Caliber B19. This automatic chronograph perpetual calendar boasts a 96-hour power reserve, marking an exciting first for the brand.

building on the brand’s expertise in manufacture movements that began in 2009 with the introduction of the caliber B01. Since then, Breitling has developed numerous calibers to power its collections. The B19 stands out with its full calendar, moon phase complication, and an impressive 96-hour power reserve, operating at a frequency of 4 Hz. The movement is COSC-certified for precision and features a column-wheel, vertical clutch chronograph mechanism preferred than the cam mechanism for its precise control of the chronograph’s start, stop, and reset functions. The 22k gold rotor, visible through the case back, is engraved with an image of Breitling’s historic Montbrillant Manufactory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

At first glance, handling this trio leaves a strong impression, these are medium-sized watches, with sizes ranging from 42mm for the Premier, 43mm for the Navitimer, and up to 44mm for the Super Chronomat.

Yes, these are medium-sized timepieces, crafted for those who seek a bold wrist presence and want to make a statement. With its elegant red gold case and black accents, this is a watch you might not wear daily but one that commands attention

All three limited editions share the same movement and dial design. The dial is complex, featuring four subdials that combine the perpetual calendar and chronograph functions. While the layout may seem busy at first, it becomes intuitive once you familiarize yourself with the functions. The moonphase sits at 12 o’clock, with the date indicator on the outer track at 3 o’clock and a 30-minute chronograph counter on the inner. At 6 o’clock, you’ll find the month and leap year indicator, while at 9 o’clock, the outer track displays the day, and the inner subdial houses the small seconds.

Breitling Premier B19 Datora 42 140th Anniversary

Starting with the smallest in the trio, the Premier B19 Datora 42 features a 42mm x 15.6mm case with a 50mm lug-to-lug measurement, giving it a strong presence. Its classic design traces back to its first introduction in 1943, with the collection’s revival in 2019.

The case includes horizontal grooves and correctors on the side, breaking up the thickness and enhancing its profile. On the opposite side, you’ll find a large, signed winding crown and two rectangular pushers—iconic design elements for the Premier line.

The elegant black dial showcases applied Arabic numerals and concentric detailing on the subdials. The brushed outer seconds track is finished in gold, adding a refined touch, and the watch is paired with a black alligator strap featuring a gold folding clasp.

Technical Specifications: Breitling Premier B19 Datora 42 140th Anniversary

• Reference: RB19401A1B1P1
• Case: 18k red gold, fixed bezel, cambered sapphire glass, glare proof on both sides, screwed 18k red gold caseback with sapphire crystal
• Diameter: 42 mm
• Thickness: 15.6 mm
• Water resistance: 100 meters
• Dial: Black with tone-on-tone chronograph counters, Super-LumiNova® luminescent hour and minute hands
• Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B19, self-winding mechanical with 22k red gold rotor engraved with Breitling’s historic Montbrillant Manufactory, COSC-certified, column-wheel, vertical clutch
• Power reserve: 96 hours
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Functions: Chronograph, hour, minute, second, perpetual calendar, moon phase
• Bracelet/Strap: Black alligator-leather strap with 18k red gold folding buckle, size 22/18 mm
• Availability: Limited to 140 pieces

Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary

The Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar measures 43mm x 15.6mm, with a lug-to-lug span of 49mm. It features traditional pump pushers and a large, signed winding crown.

The most notable difference between the Navitimer Perpetual Calendar and the other anniversary models is the dial. Unlike the others with black dials, the Navitimer shines with a radiant golden sunburst dial.

While the dial layout is similar to that of the Premier, the Navitimer stands out with its striking red gold dial, matching indices, and the signature slide rule bezel. The moonphase display on this model offers a highly realistic depiction of the moon.

Technical Specifications: Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary

• Reference: RB19101A1H1P1
• Case: 18k red gold, bidirectional bezel with circular slide rule, cambered sapphire glass, glareproofed on both sides, screwed 18k red gold caseback with cambered sapphire crystal
• Diameter: 43 mm
• Thickness: 15.62 mm
• Water resistance: 30 m
• Dial: 18k red gold, with Super-LumiNova luminescent indices and hands
• Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B19, self-winding mechanical with 22k red gold rotor engraved with Breitling’s historic Montbrillant Manufactory, COSC-certified, column-wheel, vertical clutch
• Power reserve: 96 hours
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Functions: Chronograph (1/4th second, 30-minute), hour, minute, second, perpetual calendar, moon phase
• Bracelet/Strap: Black alligator-leather strap with 18k red gold folding buckle
• Availability: Limited to 140 pieces

Breitling Super Chronomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary

The largest of the three, the Super Chronomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar, measures 44mm x 15.3mm, with a lug-to-lug span of 53.5mm. Breitling has retained the standard Super Chronomat case design, though it is 0.9mm thicker to accommodate the new Caliber B19 Perpetual Calendar movement. For those curious, it does carry some heft, as expected of a gold timepiece. And for comparison, platinum is even heavier than gold due to its higher density.

This sporty model features a rotating bezel with black ceramic inserts and distinctive raised rider tabs at the 15-minute marks, along with screwed ceramic pushers and a large onion-shaped crown.

What sets this edition apart is its dial. It’s the first skeletonized dial using the Caliber B19, allowing glimpses of the movement beneath. Breitling has adopted a classic cross layout for the subdials, cutting out sections to add depth to the design.

While it shares a similar dial layout with the other models in the trio, each subdial here is crafted from black sapphire, which elevates the overall look, these translucent subdials reveal parts of the movement underneath.

The watch is available exclusively with a Rouleaux-style black rubber strap and an 18K gold folding clasp.

Technical specifications: Breitling Super Chronomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary

• Reference: RB19301A1G1S1
• Case: red gold case, unidirectional bezel red gold with black ceramic insert, sapphire crystal on the top and on the case back
• Diameter: 44  mm  
• Height:  15.35 mm 
• Water resistance: 100 m
• Dial: Gray skeletonized dial with black sapphire chronograph counters, applied indices 
• Movement:  Manufacture Caliber B19, 22 k red gold rotor 
• with an engraving of Breitling’s historic Montbrillant Manufactory,  components 374, column-wheel, vertical clutch, COSC-certified 
• Power reserve: 96 hours 
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4Hz)
• Functions: Chronograph, hour, minute, second, perpetual calendar, moon phase
• Bracelet / Strap: Rouleaux-inspired rubber strap with an 18 k red gold folding clasp
• Availability: Each watch is limited to 140 pieces 

Each of these anniversary limited editions is presented in a suede-lined wooden watch box, accompanied by additional accessories including a storage drawer, travel pouch, and a deluxe edition of the book Breitling: 140 Years in 140 Stories. Priced at $59,000 USD (approximately AED 217,000), each of the three models is limited to just 140 pieces worldwide.

For more information please visit Breitling’s official website.