Breitling Marks 140 Years With Special Editions of 3 Classic Watches
The special editions of the Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat are equipped with a new perpetual calendar movement from the brand.

Limited to 140 pieces each, the anniversary watches are equipped with the brand’s new Caliber B19 movement, its first-ever exclusive perpetual calendar chronograph movement.

The Premier model debuted in 1943 as “the gentleman’s chronograph,” said Breitling. It was designed to signify good taste, the watchmaker said, while serving as a functional tool watch.
The Premier B19 Datora 42 140th Anniversary is made in 18-karat red gold and features Arabic numerals, contrasting minutes scale, and signature square pushers.
It’s paired with a black alligator leather strap with same-tone topstitching and an 18-karat gold folding buckle.
Breitling’s Navitimer model was the first pilot’s watch to combine a chronograph with the brand’s proprietary wrist-worn circular slide rule.

It was developed in 1952 for members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and in 1962, it became the first Swiss wristwatch in space.
The Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary has the slide rule in black on an 18-karat red-gold dial.
The strap is alligator leather with contrasting topstitching and an 18-karat gold folding buckle.
The Chronomat model launched in 1983 as the official watch of Italy’s aerobatics team, the Frecce Tricolori.
Breitling later offered the design to a wider audience, citing the wide release as “instrumental” in restoring the popularity of mechanical chronographs.

The Super Chronomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary features the model’s distinctive design.
It has four raised rider tabs at the 15-minute marks, an “onion” crown, and a rubber version of the Chronomat’s classic Rouleaux bracelet.
It also features ceramic inserts, and, in a first for the watchmaker, a skeletonized dial.

Each anniversary limited-edition timepiece comes with a suede-lined wooden watch box with a drawer for storage, a removable travel pouch, and a display for up to three timepieces.
Buyers also will receive a deluxe edition of the book “Breitling: 140 Years in 140 Stories,” a commemoration of the brand’s history set to be released this fall from Rizzoli, featuring their selected watch on the cover.
“The Premier, the Navitimer, and the Chronomat are the most impactful collections in Breitling’s history,” Breitling CEO Georges Kern said.
“We couldn’t single one out to showcase the new Caliber B19 for our anniversary—it had to be all three.”
The new movement features a full calendar and moonphase, and it automatically corrects for leap years and months of 28, 30, and 31 days, allowing it to run for about a century without a major adjustment.
It has a power reserve of approximately 96 hours.
The movement’s solid-gold rotor features an engraving of the watchmaker’s Montbrillant factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, which has served as Breitling’s manufacturing location for more than 80 years and, in a separate wing, housed three generations of the Breitling family.

Breitling produces its own movements.
It launched the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 in 2009 followed by its chronograph calibers—the B02 with 24-hour function, the B03 with split-seconds, and the B04 with GMT—and other innovations.
The new B19 movement is the latest in more than a century of pioneering achievements for Breitling, the brand said. These achievements are the focus of its yearlong anniversary celebrations, collectively dubbed “140 Years of Firsts.”
“With the Caliber B19 and our anniversary limited editions, we’re making history again,” said Kern. “This launch is about being as groundbreaking as our ‘140 Years of Firsts’ demand.”
Festivities began in March, kicking off with a 25th anniversary celebration of the Breitling Orbiter, the first non-stop flight around the world with a free balloon.
Along with the commemorative timepieces, the brand is releasing untold stories from its history in monthly drops, as well as hosting a pop-up museum in Zurich, Switzerland, and a traveling “Time Capsule” exhibition showcasing vintage timepieces from the brand set to make stops at Breitling boutiques across the globe.
“Celebrating Breitling’s ‘140 Years of Firsts’ highlights our pioneering spirit and groundbreaking achievements, honoring our past while guiding our future. Each event, exhibition, and story this year emphasizes our tradition of excellence and commitment to innovation,” said Kern.
The Latest

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.

It’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.

It included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.


Associate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.

Fordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Gilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.

A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.

Located in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.

The new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.

As the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.

Jacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.

Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.

The Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.

Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.

The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.

The industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.

The nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.

The Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.

The two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.

The single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.