The brand whose history is closely connected with development of aviation timekeepers, the replica Breitling, has prepared a new type of pilot’s watch. The novel piece is called Chronoliner and it is the first watch in the series that has the same name as the model. The timepiece is important since it is also the premier watch by the Grenchen-based brand that is made with a ceramic bezel which is in this instance combined with a steel body. The replica Breitling Chronoliner I supplied with a chronograph and it has an additional GMT hand, as it would be expected from a timepiece that is intended for aviators.
As the typical models of the watchmaker state, new Chronoliner is heavily inspired by a vintage piece from the middle of the last century. Even if the appearance and the functions may be shared with that historic influence, the new fake watch is a very modern piece in its essence. The contemporary spirit of Chronoliner is mainly visible in its ceramic bezel. I believe it is the first watch in which the brand ever included a bezel made from this high-tech resilient material. Breitling has joined the current trend of watches with ceramic bezels which was established by other high-end manufacturers. The importance of the brand’s new ability for the production of this kind is also reflected by the fact that the watch introduces the new Chronoliner series which is the first completely new collection by the brand in quite some time.
The bezel is manufactured in black color and with contrasting white numerals. Moreover, it features a distinctive star-shaped design that is meant to facilitate the handling of the bezel which can be rotated both ways. This component, made in one of the hardest existing synthetic materials is mounted on a large stainless steel case with the diameter of 46 mm. The piece is also quite thick with the height measuring to 15.95 mm. Speaking of the rear side of the case, it should be also said that it is made of solid steel and that it is decorated with an engraving that depicts two stylized aircrafts which is the famous motif that is often used by the brand. As for the water resistance, the construction allows the watch to be submerged up to 100 meters below the surface.
Surrounded by a black scratch-proofed bezel lays a black face of the watch. It should be said that this is the only color option for the watch’s face which is apparently chosen in order to match with the same colored bezel. The black dial is coupled with chronograph sub-counters which are placed in a traditional manner with the 12-6-9 outlay. These helper dials are used to indicate 30-minutes, 12-hours and small seconds, respectively. The chronograph seconds are shown by a central hand which moves four times per second and finished with an aircraft-shaped tip. Apart from this silver colored hand, there is another one with the red tip in the same form as well. It is naturally a GMT hand which shows the time in 24-hour format in the conjunction with the markings that are featured on a bezel. Since the bezel is uni-directional, this second time zone does not really need to be the GMT zone. It can actually be any other one that the wearer prefers. The only remaining supported indication which is featured on the dial is its date display which is shown through an aperture which sits at the three o’clock position.