Breitling held a VIP launch event aboard an Emirates A380 yesterday – 35,000 feet above ground.
The Swiss watchmaker has a legacy in aviation as it has also manufactured precision-made chronometers for aircraft, but this launch celebrates the 30th anniversary of the flagship Chronomat model.
Aptly-named, the Chronomat Airborne watch is also dubbed “the pilot’s chronograph” and also marks the brand’s 130 year history - the Chronomat arrived in 1984 to mark Breitling’s centennial.
According to the brand's own description, the new watch features a satin-brushed rotating bezel equipped with four raised rider tabs serving to count off flight times, while facilitating rotation even with gloved hands.
The steel case is water-resistant to 500m and is available in both 41 and 44 mm sizes. The dial comes in either black with silver-toned counters, or silver-toned with black counters.
The rear of the timepiece is engraved with the inscription “Edition Spéciale 30e Anniversaire” (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) and, in keeping with the aeronautical theme, the Chronomat Airborne is fitted with a strap in black military-type fabric, secured by a folding clasp.
“Breitling and aviation adventure goes hand in hand and what we enjoy most is having the opportunity to share our passion with the world, both through our watches and our conquests in the sky,” said Aed Adwan, Breitling Middle East.