The Chrono-Matic QP, the latest limited models unveiled by breitling, brings a completely fresh feel to the classic Navitimer collection. Coming to this shiny new timepiece, I have to admit my mistake in my last article about Chrono-Matic 1461, who is the “brother model” of QP. I said the Chrono-Matic 1461 is the most sophisticated watch I have ever met in Breitling, and my view is changed soon by my first encounter with the QP, for the extra subdial compared to the former.
“Making instruments for professionals”, with this slogan, the Breitling has released the collective watches of generations. The four subdials in the Chrono-Matic QP constitute a symmetrical layout, a kind of beauty more warmly pursued by those professionals than that of asymmetry.
Designed by Breitling in 1969 to house the first selfwinding chronograph movement, the Chrono-Matic is a resolutely modern design. Within this case with its taut, angular lines – equipped with a rubberized bezel – Breitling has fitted a chronograph movement combined with a Perpetual Calendar (QP), thereby creating a daring alliance of modern and traditional features. The mechanism of the Chrono-Matic QP is a miniaturized marvel comprising almost 500 parts. It is programmed to indicate the date, the day, the week, the month, the reason and the moon phases, while taking account of variations due to leap years.
The new Chrono-Matic limited model is wrapped in a 18K red gold case, with four silver subdials. Both the panamerican bronze dial and black dial makes a good match to the whole. A croco strap with 18K red gold buckle or a Ocean Racer strap fitted with a Ocean Racer clasp come with the new model. The movement is a selfwinding Breitling 29, of which the 500 integrant pieces demonstrate the amazing virtuosity in craftship. Only 125 pieces are available for the Chrono-Matic QP, extremely limited.
Altogether, the lastest two limited models (QP and 1461) in Chrono-Matic line, I think, are truly exceptional presents brought by the Breitling before the coming Chrismas.
