By combining the sporty, integrated architecture of their Chronomat model with colourful gemstones and pastel dials, Breitling have created a unity of jewellery and timekeeping with the new trio of Breitling Chronomat South Sea Capsule watches.
The Breitling Chronomat has become one of the most talked about models from the Swiss watchmaker in recent years, and for good reason. The collection was revamped back in 2020 by CEO Georges Kern, resurrecting several design elements of the original Chronomat from the 1980’s. Some of these features included the iconic interchangeable rider tabs on the bezel and Rouleaux bracelet.
Breilting Chronomat South Sea - Credit Breitling
Following on from the inaugural range of overhauled men’s models, Breitling then unveiled an elegant series of Chronomat Ladies watches in 32mm and 36mm. They were dressed in a choice of diamonds, pastel dials and with 18ct rose gold case options. The collection was well-received by women who wanted a watch that was both beautiful and robust. We’ve seen Breitling’s female catalogue continue to expand ever since, and it seems their ever-colourful South Sea line-up gets a new trio for Dubai Watch Week 2023.
The new Breitling Chronomat South Sea watches for 2023 are designed to capture tropical paradises and the golden beaches, deep blue oceans and vibrant fauna that we associate with those utopias. They make use of plenty of light and colour, adding coloured gemstones across the bezel to match with their sunray-brushed or mother of pearl dials.
Breilting Chronomat South Sea - Credit Breitling
A dark green sunray-brushed display is joined by white, gold, green and blue gemstones to evoke lush greenery on an 18ct rose gold bezel. The second model has another sunray-brushed dial, this time in pastel blue, and shares its colour with gemstones of dark blue, light blue and purple on an 18ct white gold bezel. Finally, and my personal favourite model out of the collection is that with the pink mother of pearl dial. No expense has been spared on colour here as the white gold bezel shimmers in a rainbow of coloured gemstones.
Other than their different dial colours and bezel adornments, each Breitling Chronomat South Sea watch offers the same set of spec. They boast stainless steel cases measuring to 36mm wide, 10mm tall and lug-to-lug width of 43.3mm. The rider tabs of the bezel remain, but are no longer interchangeable, replaced with gemstone decoration. The bezel is fixed into place. A non-screw locked, nicely knurled crown at 3 o’clock and a screw in case back offers a 100 metre water resistance.
Breilting Chronomat South Sea - Credit Breitling
Inside, the Breitling Chronomat South Sea watches house the Calibre 10 automatic winding movement. Based on the ETA 2892-A2, the movement has been COSC certified to be accurate to 4 to +6 seconds per day and delivers classic central hands for hours, minutes and seconds and a date window at 6 o’clock. We’re also promised a 42 hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
The Breitling Chronomat South Sea watches can be ordered on either the Chronomat’s iconic Rouleaux bracelet with its cylindrical, bullet-style links or with an alligator leather strap dyed in the same hue as the dial. The novelties retail from £8,550 and since they’re part of a Capsule collection, they’re not limited to a specific number, but they will only be available to order from Breitling and its retailers for a limited time.
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: Breitling
- Model: Chronomat South Sea
- Price: Starts from £8,550
- Material: Stainless steel and 18ct gold
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 10, automatic winding
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Dial: Green sunray-brushed, blue sunray-brushed or pink mother of pearl
- Size: 36mm
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: These are lovely, colourful dress watches that I can easily imagine on my wrist while enjoying a cocktail somewhere warm
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: A female wanting to add some colour and sparkle to their collection
- Best characteristics of the watch: The Chronomat’s architecture has always been a win for me, and it looks extra cool with rainbow gemstones on the bezel.
- The worst characteristics of the watch: Nothing comes to mind.
