Breitling Chronomat Buying Guide

An aviation-team watch became an all-purpose sports family

Breitling presented a chronograph developed for Italy's Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team in 1983 and evolved the design into the Chronomat for its 1984 centenary. Protected crystal geometry, quarter-hour rider tabs and the Rouleaux bracelet became enduring identifiers.

That lineage matters because it explains the construction, not because every current Chronomat is the same instrument. The modern range extends from compact quartz references through B31 and B01 manufacture models to high complications.

Twenty-eight to forty-four millimeters

The official catalog verified July 27, 2026 includes 28, 32, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 mm references. Smaller watches include quartz and automatic options; 40 mm supports GMT and B31 choices; 42 mm is the principal current B01 chronograph size; 44 mm holds the largest Super Chronomat configurations.

Do not sort those sizes only by gender. Upper-wrist width, desired dial presence, bracelet mass, polish and function are more useful selection criteria.

Inspect the features that define the family

Rider tabs protect and index the bezel while creating the Chronomat's strongest visual code. Check impact damage, alignment and finish. Bezel function varies by reference, so do not infer rotation or timing use from appearance alone.

The articulated cylindrical Rouleaux links can be comfortable when correctly sized. Inspect link count, clasp security, articulation and mixed polished/brushed surfaces. Missing links affect fit, value and replacement cost.

Choose function before movement prestige

Manufacture B31 is the current three-hand/date manufacture option with approximately 78 hours of reserve. Manufacture B01 powers the central automatic chronographs and provides approximately 70 hours. Other current references use Breitling 10, 17, 32 or SuperQuartz calibres depending on size and function.

The B31 Automatic 40 is thinner and simpler; the current B01 42 adds the chronograph. The 40 vs. 42 vs. 44 guide makes that functional hierarchy explicit.

How Chronomat size and polish affect fit

The current B31 40 is 10.99 mm thick, while the current B01 42 is 13.77 mm. The selected Super Chronomat Automatic 38 is compact but factory gem-set and visually more jewelry-forward. The bracelet's first links and case integration affect wrist coverage beyond nominal diameter.

Try the exact bracelet or rubber configuration. Weight and balance cannot be transferred from one attachment to another.

One hundred or two hundred meters by exact reference

The selected B31 40 and B01 42 are both rated to 200 m; the selected Super Chronomat Automatic 38 is rated to 100 m. Water resistance remains a maintained system. Pressure-test a pre-owned watch before swimming and follow crown/pusher instructions.

Polishing, diamonds and bracelet completeness

Current Chronomats appear in steel, gold, two-tone, titanium and gem-set configurations. Factory-set diamonds must be verified by the full reference; aftermarket work should never be inferred to be factory because it looks plausible.

Inspect rider tabs, case transitions, bracelet links, clasp and chronograph functions. Prefer preserved geometry over a superficially bright watch that has been aggressively refinished.

Sources and verification

Breitling official current watch catalog · Breitling Chronomat collection · Breitling Chronomat history

Current-reference specifications were checked against Breitling's official US catalog on July 27, 2026. Live price, imagery, URL and availability come from the canonical Superlative Watch Co. Shopify product record on each render.