Introducing: The New Breitling Premier Collection (Live Pics & Pricing)

October 22, 2018

Breitling has been on the march. It's hard to believe its been just 12 months since Mr. Kern (formally of IWC) and his team went in with the intention of accelerating its product development while simplifying its range. Having seen new additions to the air segment of its four worlds (air, land, sea, and professional) earlier in the year with the Navitimer 8, today In London I had the opportunity to get up close with the new Premier collection.?The Premier launched back in 1943, and has always been focused on subtlety and elegance versus rugged functionality.?This new collection is made up of a series of four core references in time only, day-date, and chronograph formats with an array of dials, from deep blue to sunburst silver: the B01 Chronograph 42, the Chronograph 42, Automatic 40, and the Automatic Day-Date 40. The new Premier Automatic Day-Date (40mm with Breitling Caliber 45 and priced at $4,450). Initial Thoughts Historically interest has been solely in its aviation and professional watches, but as this new collection proves, Breitling wants to "fish in a bigger pond," as Mr. Kern says. The new editions are clean and functional. Though not of the same dimensions as their predecessors of the early 40s, the new collection is more in line with current market demands (the B01 wears well at 42mm). The Premier B01 Chrono pictured below is the standout to me. With a twin register display and the well known, robust Calibre 01, this is a handsome looking watch. At $8,400 it sits in a competitive area in terms of price point, going up against the likes of IWC, JLC, and Rolex. The new Premier B01 Chronograph 42 (42mm steel case with Breitling 01 caliber and priced at $8,400). I have been super impressed with how the brand has updated its identity (digitally and in-store), its clarity of message and adjusted distribution (focusing on fewer, higher impact retailers). I believe the confluence of all these factors will provide a sound platform for the Premier collection to do well. The Basics Brand: Breitling Model: Premier ?Diameter: 40-42mm Case Material: Stainless steel Dial Color: Various Indexes: BatonsLume: Yes, on markers and hands? The new Premier Chronograph 42 (Calibre 13 and priced at $6,250). B01 Chronograph (priced at $8,400). The new Premier Automatic 40 (priced at $4,750). The Movements Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Caliber: Manufacture Caliber B01 Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, dateDiameter: 30mmThickness: 7.2mmPower Reserve: 70 hoursWinding: Automatic with ball-bearing rotorFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)Jewels: 47Total Components: 346COSC Chronometer Certified? Premier Chronograph 42 Caliber: Caliber 13 (Valjoux 7750 base)Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date Diameter: 30mm Thickness: 7.9mm Power Reserve: 42 hoursWinding: Automatic with ball-bearing rotor Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph) Jewels: 25COSC Chronometer Certified? Premier Automatic 40 Caliber: Caliber 37 (ETA 2895-2 base)Functions: Hours, minutes, small secondsDiameter: 25.6mm Thickness: 5.6mm Power Reserve: 40 hours Winding: Automatic with ball-bearing rotor Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph) Jewels: 27COSC Chronometer Certified? Premier Automatic Day & Date 40 Caliber: Caliber 45 (ETA 2834-2)Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, day, dateDiameter: 29mm ?Thickness: 5.05mm ?Power Reserve: 40 hours ?Winding: Automatic with ball-bearing rotor ?Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph) ?Jewels: 25COSC Chronometer Certified? Pricing & Availability Price: B01 Chronograph 42: $8,400 on strap, $8,700 on bracelet; Chronograph 42: $6,250 on strap, $6,550 on bracelet; Automatic 40: $4,450 on strap, $4,750 on bracelet; Automatic Day-Date 40: $4,450 on strap, $4,750 on braceletAvailability: ?NowFor more click here.