Watch collectors are a curious breed. Some seek only samples from certain brands. Others only want examples of specific models – such as driving, diving or pilots’ watches. And then there are those who only like limited edition timepieces.
They do it for bragging rights. They do it for the “likes.” But amassing a collection of luxury watches isn’t cheap. Which is why a savvy shopper will recognize that Breitling’s new Chronoliner B04 Boutique Edition is an excellent investment timepiece.
First of all, Breitling is one of those heritage brands that the watch cognoscenti love (Justin Timberlake, Harrison Ford and Jerry Seinfeld are all fans). Why? Because they are sporty looking but with just enough polish to wear with a suit or casual even attire.
Breitling is an independent Swiss watch manufacturer best known for its chronograph and aviation watches. The Chronoliner has a timeless and instantly recognizable look (if you were to pass Timberlake, Ford or Seinfeld on the street, they would probably give you a knowing nod). What makes the Boutique Edition unique is its blue dial, ceramic bezel and rubber Aero Classic/Ocean Classic strap.
If you actually are a pilot or a frequent flier, it’s also a useful watch, housing a Manufacture Breitling Caliber B04 that powers an ultra-convenient dual time zone system (you can calculate a third time zone with the high-tech ceramic rotating bezel). Watch nerds will also appreciate its many sophisticated complications (it’s also an automatic chronograph) and the fact that its chronometer-certified by the COSC.
All of these factors make the Chronoliner extremely attractive to hardcore collectors, but it’s easy-to-read design and simple-to-use pushers make it appealing to newbies as well. Basically, all you have to do to adjust the main hour hand to local time, is pull out the crown and turn it either way in one-hour increments. The red-tipped hand keeps track of your home time in 24-hour mode, so you can to distinguish between day and night. You want to keep it basic when you’re brain-fogged from jetlag!
Or you could opt for the Chronomat 44 Boutique Edition pilot watch. While this chronograph is not automatic, its Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01 is reliable and boasts water resistance to a depth of 500 m (1,650 ft.) – specs worthy of a diver’s watch. The Chronomat comes with a blue Vietnamese mother-of-pearl dial and engraved case back featuring the ‘Special Delivery’ pin-up girl and is numbered from 1 to 100.
And did we mention that both are limited edition? Only 100 each of these blue beauty will be available and then only from Breitling boutiques worldwide, including New York, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando and their first Canadian store, which is opening in Toronto at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in July 2017.
