When a young and ambitious Willy Breitling took the helm of his family’s company, he would usher in what would come to be a defining era for Breitling. Among his most important achievements would be the establishment of the Huit Aviation Department in 1938, its name derived from the considerable eight-day power reserve offered by the watchmaker’s dashboard clocks and precision instruments that it developed for professional aviators. With the Second World War on the horizon, it was soon called upon to supply the military, receiving a large order for chronographs from the Royal Air Force. It would cement Breitling’s reputation as a leading maker of pilot’s watches, and the start of a partnership that endures to this day.

This latest chapter sees Breitling pay special tribute to the Red Arrows, who wear its timepieces as they navigate their breathtaking displays, with the release of a new limited-edition Chronomat. In a fitting celebration of the legendary squadron, it is available in a limited run of 160 pieces, the number of pilots who have served in the team since its first season in 1965.

A testament to Breitling’s deep connection with the Royal Air Force, it is the only luxury watch brand granted permission to feature the Red Arrows’s distinctive emblems on its timepieces. Here the famous ‘Diamond Nine’ motif takes pride of place at 12 o’clock, normally reserved for the company logo. Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force insignia adorns the sapphire-crystal caseback, presented in colour for the first time.

The choice of the Chronomat also speaks to Breitling’s impressive aviation heritage. While the Navitimer often takes the limelight, this stylish and functional model from 1984 also has its roots in the skies, its design inspired by a timepiece designed for the Italian Air Force aerobatic display team. The watchmaker revived the watch last year in a versatile collection retaining the sports-chic style and signature features of the original, from the interchangeable rider tabs to the comfortable Rouleaux bracelet. It comes powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01, delivering the precision and reliability required for even the most daring of displays.

breitling.com