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      Breitling Premier: A New Collection with Origins in the 1940s

      It was perhaps symbolic of a new era that Breitling chose to launch its new collection not in Switzerland or at a major trade fair, but at a summit-like event in London, bringing together a select group of journalists and influencers.

      The most important announcement at the event was the return of the Premier, a model familiar to anyone who knows Breitling's history.


      The Premier was originally launched in the 1940s, a time when the world was at war.

      In the 1940s, Breitling was known for its style that emphasized technology, as exemplified by the Chronomat, released in 1942, which was the first watch to feature a circular slide rule.

      However, a year later, Breitling decided to overturn its previous image by developing an elegant, dressy watch with a chronograph.

      Like its predecessor, it had an antimagnetic, shock-resistant and waterproof case, but just as the Chronomat was designed exclusively for pilots, this new watch was undoubtedly designed specifically for enjoyment on land.

      At the time, Breitling supplied the military with pilot's watches and instrument watches, but the Premier series was designed to offer elegant watches to civilians who had no connection to the war, helping them forget the terror of the time.

      Premier 1945 advertisement


      The return of the Premier

      In reviving this collection after nearly 80 years, Breitling did not change the essence of the Premier, which is to bring an elegant and fresh breeze to a watch industry dominated by tool watches.

      ("Instruments for Professionals" was the brand's slogan at one time.)

      Breitling CEO Georges Kern decided to revive the Premier just one year after taking office, saying, "The Premier is Breitling's first modern collection, focused on everyday elegance.

      "They offer exceptional quality and performance, are unmistakably part of our brand's DNA, and are designed with a focus on beautiful style."
      The Premier collection of the 1940s only featured chronographs, but for the relaunch other versions were designed as well.

      Breitling B0142

      Among the chronographs, model B01 42 is the highlight of the collection and is equipped with Breitling's B01 chronograph caliber.

      This model has a 42mm stainless steel case and is available with two dials: dark blue or silver.

      The strap was available in three variations: alligator leather, nubuck strap, and stainless steel bracelet.

      Another 42mm Premier Chronograph is equipped with the Calibre 13, which has a different arrangement of chronograph counters.

      There is another Premier Chronograph model available in a 42 mm case and equipped with the Caliber 13 movement, but with a different arrangement of chronograph counters.

      The Day-Date and Time-Only models came in a versatile 40mm case and were available with a variety of dial and strap combinations.

      Both were powered by chronometer-certified automatic movements (the Breitling Caliber 37 for the Premier Automatic 40 and the Breitling Caliber 45 for the Premier Automatic Day-Date).


      The new collection also includes the first Bentley model.

      Breitling Premier Bentley

      It was announced that production of the Breitling for Bentley collection would end, with all new Bentley models being incorporated into the existing Breitling collection.

      Taking the Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley as an example, it was a big departure from the design philosophy of previous Bentley models, as it no longer had the characteristic knurling on the bezel as it had in the past.

      But the gorgeous moss green dial and green leather strap will captivate even those who aren't Bentley fans.


      Breitling Premier Series Top 3

      Premier Automatic 40 Charcoal gray dial)

      Breitling Automatic 40 (


      The combination of the cool charcoal gray dial and brown crocodile leather strap undoubtedly inherits the beauty of the original Premier.

      It is also available with a blue dial and steel bracelet, as well as a silver dial and black leather strap.

      It is equipped with the caliber B37 based on the ETA 2895-2 and is water resistant to 100m.

      The 40mm case is a size that is in line with modern trends while retaining the charm of vintage watches. The outer second hand ring is reminiscent of the speed dial used in the original model, making it an elegant yet perfect watch for everyday use.

      Premier B01 Chronograph 42 (Panda Dial)

      Breitling B01 Chronograph 42

      With its multi-step bezel, integrated pushers, 42mm case and angled lugs that sit comfortably on the wrist, this watch has perfect proportions.

      The beautifully laid out dial features chronograph subdials and velocimetry functions and is extremely easy to read.


      The movement is the in-house Breitling Caliber 01, developed in collaboration with Tudor.

      Premier Automatic Day Date 40

      Automatic Day Date 40

      It seems that the first watch to display the day of the week at 12 o'clock was the Rolex Day-Date President.

      The balanced, strong index design means that the dial does not feel heavy even with the date window, and the date is just the right size to be unobtrusive yet easy to read.


      The black dial and seven-link steel bracelet give it a more edgy, sophisticated and masculine feel than your average sports watch.