Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling - renowned as the leading supplier of aviation watches and official sponsor of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, has today announced the launch of the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition Watch. Released in partnership with the Royal Air Force, this new timepiece features the distinctive emblems of its celebrate aerobatic team and is produced in a limited series of 160 pieces, in tribute to each Red Arrows display pilot to have flown and served in the team since its inaugural 1965 season.

As the only luxury watch brand granted exclusive permission to features the Red Arrows distinctive emblems, Breitling Red Arrows timepieces are collector; editions with a generational legacy.

Partners In Precision

Breitling's storied association with aviation, combined with its world first innovations in the functionality of the wrist chronograph, have led to its reputation as the preferred supplier to aviation. The brand's historical partnership with the Royal Air Force dates back to the 1930s, when Breitling's precision on board chronographs were supplied to RAF aircraft to ensure precise calculations of distance and fuel during the most challenging flying conditions. Breitling remains the pilot's choice and creates private commision timepieces exclusively for RAF and military squadrons.

Today, the Red Arrows display pilots wear Breitling chronographs built to ensure accuracy, precision and reliability under the most demanding condition, as they prepare and perform their world-class displays in the UK, and abroad. Promoting the best of British, their precision manoeuvers and close formations in the distinctive Hawk fast-jets, including their famous Diamond Nine shape, represents the very best in flying, agility and operational excellence. Breitling ensures that the teams timing equipment lives up to the needs of their every pursuit.

Chronomat - Born In The Air

Holding a significant plan in Breitling's history and a truly all-purpose sports watch suitable for every pursuit - on the ground, under the sea or in the air - the Chronomat was introduced during Breitling's centenary year in 1984, when extra-thin quartz timepieces were the order of the day. Presenting a bold and impressive mechanical watch, which fast became an icon of its era due to its distinctive style, the Breitling Chronomat was inspired by a timepiece design for the Italian Air Force aerobatic display team and marked the return of the mechanical chronograph.

A Patriotic Tribute

Showcasing an RAF blue dial with black contrasting sub-dials and the Red Arrows Diamond Nine logo positioned in a rare execution at 12 o'clock where the Breitling logo is normally placed, the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows watch features a 42mm stainless steel case with a ratcheted unidirectional rotatable bezel and four iconic interchangeable rider tabs, unique to the collection. On the caseback transparent sapphire crystal the Royal Air Force insignia is presented in glorious colour for the first time, and is engraved with 'One Of 160' to symbolise its limited edition production. Presented on the eye-catching Rouleaux bracelet with butterfly clasp, the expression of Breitling's cool modern-retro style, the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows watch houses an in-house Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 movement, certified by the COSC - the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute that guaranteed the accuracy of Swiss watches.

Speaking at the launch, Red Arrows Squadron Leader Tom Bould said "Precision, teamwork, accurate timing and dynamic creativity are hallmarks of the Red Arrows and are fundamental to the team's activities - showcasing the excellence of the Royal Air Force and representing the United Kingdom with world-class displays. The Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition is a distinctive example of how these qualities are shared by Breitling, forged by its historic work with the aviation community. Particularly special is the limited edition number of 160 pieces, as an acknowledgement of those who’ve flown as a Red Arrows pilot since the opening 1965 display season.”

Excellence & Craftsmanship From Ettinger

Breitling have also partnered with British luxury leather goods manufacturer Ettinger - who were granted a Royal Warranty to HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996 - to commemorate the release, with a special Breitling and Royal Air Force, the Red Arrows branded double watch roll being gifted with each purchase of the Chronomat Red Arrows timepiece.

For more information about the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows watch, Contact Us today to speak to one of our Breitling experts.