Colombo Jewellery Stores, the authorised retailer for Breitling, unveiled its own split-seconds chronograph movement – the Manufacture Breitling Caliber B03, marked by the invention of the first independent pushpiece at 2 o’clock (1915), the second independent pushpiece (1934) and the first selfwinding chronograph (1969). This includes the 1944 Duograph – that is sought-after among collectors and equipped with an ultra-thin split-seconds chronograph movement. In developing its selfwinding split-seconds chronograph Caliber B03, Breitling worked on the basis of its Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01, an intelligent platform that has already enabled the addition of other useful functions such as the second timezone or the worldtime displays featuring unprecedented user friendliness. The B03 therefore picks up all the advantages of this high-performance ‘engine’, including a 70-hour power reserve as well as an innovative modular-type architecture.
The Manufacture Breitling Caliber B03 is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). To highlight its new ‘engine’, Breitling has chosen its Navitimer, the doyenne of all mechanical chronographs produced worldwide (since 1952). Equipped with a 45mm case, the Navitimer Rattrapante comes in steel as well as a 250-piece red gold limited edition (equipped with a transparent caseback). Both watches are distinguished by their bronze-coloured dial, serving as a backdrop for the silver-toned counters and inner bezel reflecting the Navitimer look. The B logo with its anchor symbol generally adorning the base of the Navitimer chronograph hands is in this instance divided between the two seconds hands: with the B on the red chronograph hand and the anchor on the split-seconds hand.
This means the two elements are separated when the split-seconds hand is stopped, before reforming the brand signature when the hands are again overlaid. The split-seconds pusher, housed in the 3 o’clock crown, serves to stop and restart the split-seconds hand as often as desired during a timing operation – in order to measure split times or to compare the results of several competitors. The ultimate mechanical chronograph in a legendary watch.
