A lot of anniversaries will be celebrated in 2014, especially for Breitling ! The 130 years of the manufacture, the 30 years of the rebirth of its legendary Chronomat, the 50 years of the Patrouille de Suisse and the 100th anniversary of the Swiss Air Force ! Baselworld will probably be illuminated by candle lights…and a lot of limited editions !
First, today, and as a Baselworld preview, Breitling celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Patrouille Suisse by dedicating to this team an exclusive version of the Chronomat, complete with personalized dial and engraved caseback. Issued in a 1,000-piece limited edition, this aviation chronograph once againreflects the special ties between the Swiss brand and the world of pilots.
Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary
For the record, Breitling already demonstrated how deep were its relationships with Patrouilles last year, in Salon de Provence, were a lot of Patrouilles (from Switzerland, Italy, the UK, etc.) made the trip especially to celebrate the 60th birthday of their colleagues of the French Patrouilles. A two-days event that we attended with Breitling as a natural sponsor, and a lot of outstanding air shows !
Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary
Supersonic Patrouille
1964 saw the official creation of an aerobatics team composed of professional air force pilots. Initially comprising four and later five British Hawker Hunter Mk 58 jet fighters, the Patrouille Suisse switched to six planes in 1978 and began giving its first demonstrations beyond national borders.
Patrouille Suisse
Since 1995, it has established itself as one of the rare aerobatics teams on supersonic jets by flying six American F-5E Tiger II fighter aircraft recognizable by their red and white livery. The Patrouille Suisse regularly performs at shows around Europe.
An authentic aviation chronograph
As a privileged partner of aviation, Breitling enjoys a longstanding relationship with the Patrouille Suisse that has already led to the creation of several personalized models. The brand now joins the team’s 50th anniversary celebrations by launching a limited edition of its Chronomat model in its dual-time version.
Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary
This mechanical chronograph featuring a sturdy satinbrushed steel case is distinguished by a black dial bearing the flight team logo at 9 o’clock, framed by a rotating bezel with inlaid rubber numerals. The second hour hand, tipped by the outline of a red F-5E Tiger II, serves to display the second timezone in 24-hour mode in a very simple manner via a practical crown adjustment system. The 24-hour scale on the bezel also enables a third timezone reading. The engraved caseback bears the official 50th anniversary logo, topped by the limited-edition number.
Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary – Caseback
Water-resistant to 200 meters (660 ft), the Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary houses Manufacture Breitling Caliber B04, a selfwinding chronograph movement entirely developed and produced by Breitling and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).
With two different types of straps, models will be proposed between 8000 and 9000 euros.
