Breitling Chronoliner

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 practical 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 rose gold. Sapphire crystal protects the dial from the elements, while a screw-down crown and case back make this watch water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft).

A modified ETA Valjoux 7754 is the beating heart of most Chronoliners. One exception is the Chronoliner B04, which gets its power from the in-house caliber Breitling 04. This movement is also found in other Breitling classics, including the Navitimer GMT 48 and Chronomat 44 GMT.

Depending on the case material and caliber, a Breitling Chronoliner will set you back anywhere from 5,900 to 12,000 USD. The standard edition 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 dial's outer edge and the 24-hour bezel, enabling you to track the time in two additional time zones. This means that, 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 timepiece costs roughly 6,000 USD on a stainless steel bracelet and 5,900 USD on a rubber strap.

Over the years, Breitling has added more and more color to the Chronoliner collection. Perhaps the most interesting examples are the Chronoliner Black Steel ref. M24310 and the rose gold Chronoliner 46 ref. R2431212. The Black Steel 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 about 6,000 USD in mint condition.

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.

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 (ref. YB0460) or rose gold (ref. RB046116). Prices for a mint-condition steel model come in at around 5,900 USD, while the gold edition costs roughly 12,000 USD.