Breitling Chronoliner

The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Breitling first introduced the Chronoliner in 2015. This modern pilot's chronograph comes with a GMT function and ceramic bezel. Its functional design is inspired by Breitling watches from the 1950s and 60s and focuses on optimal readability. The dial is kept tidy, and the hands and indices glow in the dark. There's also the option to keep track of three time zones at once.

The case measures 46 mm in diameter and is usually made of stainless steel; however, there are a few limited edition boutique models in red gold. Sapphire glass protects the dial from the elements. A screw-down crown and case back make this watch water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft).

A modified Valjoux 7754 is the Chronoliner's beating heart. This movement is known as the Breitling caliber B24 and comes with COSC chronometer certification. One exception comes in the form of the Chronoliner B04, which is powered by the in-house caliber Breitling 04. This movement is also found in other Breitling classics, including the Navitimer GMT 48 and Chronomat 44 GMT.

The standard Breitling Chronoliner model bears the reference number Y24310. Its white indices, hands, and subdials contrast beautifully against the black dial. The ceramic bezel is also black and features white numerals.

There are central hands for the hours, minutes, and chronograph seconds; chronograph counters at 6 and 12 o'clock; a small seconds at 9; and a date display at 3. An additional central hand represents GMT. You can easily tell this hand apart from the others thanks to its red tip. This extra hand points to the 24-hour scale around the outer edge of the dial and the 24-hour bezel, allowing you to tell the time in two additional time zones. Together with the central time display, you can keep track of three time zones at once.

The Chronoliner comes on your choice of a stainless steel Ocean Classic (or Milanese) bracelet, a multi-link stainless steel bracelet, or a rubber strap. A mint-condition model costs around 5,600 USD on a stainless steel bracelet or 5,200 USD on a rubber strap. Well-maintained pre-owned Chronoliners sell for about 4,700 USD.

Over the years, Breitling has added ever more color to the Chronoliner collection. Perhaps the most interesting examples are the Chronoliner Blacksteel ref. M24310 and the red gold Chronoliner 46 ref. R2431212. The Blacksteel is technologically identical to the standard model; however, its stainless steel case has a black coating. The dial, subdials, and ceramic bezel are also black. Only the hands, numerals, and indices shine in white. You can call this watch your own for roughly 5,700 USD new. Pre-owned versions are currently rather rare.

The Chronoliner 46 also sets itself apart from the standard edition with its color scheme. Its case, crown, push-pieces, and hands are all made of rose gold, as are the numerals on the black ceramic bezel. The indices and subdials are white. This elegant timepiece comes on a dark brown leather strap with white stitching. Plan to spend some 18,500 USD on this Chronoliner.

The Chronoliner B04 Boutique Edition is far and away this collection's top model. Breitling equips this watch with the in-house caliber B04. You can recognize timepieces with this movement thanks to their subdial layout: There's a 30-minute counter at 3, a 12-hour counter at 6, and a small seconds at 9 o'clock, as well as a date display at 4:30. The dial and ceramic bezel are both dark blue and contrast nicely with the white numerals, hands, and subdials.

The Chronoliner B04 Boutique Edition comes in stainless steel (YB0460) or red gold (RB046116). Prices for a mint-condition steel model come in at around 5,500 USD, while the gold edition costs roughly 16,500 USD. These timepieces are very rare on the pre-owned market.