Breitling model
Breitling Chronomat: history, generations and official videos
The Breitling Chronomat is the brand's pilot-style chronograph with rider tabs and the Rouleaux bracelet, launched as a civilian watch in 1984. This page explains where it comes from, how it changed and what affects the value of a Chronomat, and shows the official Breitling videos.
- Introduced
- 1984 (Ref. 81950); name first used in 1942
- Original case
- 39 mm (Ref. 81950)
- Movement today
- Calibre B01 in the Chronomat B01 42
- Rider tabs
- at 0, 15, 30 and 45 minutes
Where the Chronomat comes from
The name goes back to 1942, when Breitling launched a chronograph with a circular slide rule on the bezel as reference 769, based on a patent Willy Breitling had secured in 1940. The Chronomat most owners know today is a different watch. In 1983 Breitling, under Ernest Schneider, made a chronograph for the Italian Air Force aerobatic team Frecce Tricolori. It had a crystal set below the bezel and four raised rider tabs, which protected the glass. The Rouleaux bracelet first appeared on this model. In 1984, Breitling's centenary year, a civilian version followed as reference 81950.
Chronomat generations
The model has changed in size and movement over four decades. The main steps are below.
| Series | Years | References | Case | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slide-rule Chronomat | 1942 | 769 | – | – |
| Frecce Tricolori chronograph | 1983 | – | Rider tabs, recessed crystal | – |
| Chronomat | 1984 | 81950 | 39 mm, steel | Valjoux 7750 automatic (as in a documented example) |
| Chronomat 01 | 2009 | – | – | In-house Caliber 01 (B01), about 70 hours |
| Chronomat tribute | 2020 | – | 42 mm at launch, integrated Rouleaux bracelet | Calibre B01 |
The 2020 version is a tribute to the 1984 watch, with an integrated Rouleaux bracelet and rider-tab bezel. Alongside the 42 mm model Breitling now also makes a GMT, a 44 mm Super Chronomat and smaller sizes of 32, 36 and 38 mm.
Design details to look for
- Rider tabs: four tabs at 0, 15, 30 and 45 minutes. The 15 and 45 tabs can be unscrewed and swapped, so the bezel counts up or down.
- Recessed crystal: the sapphire sits below the tabs for protection.
- Onion crown and pushers: shaped so they can be used with gloves.
- Rouleaux bracelet: cylindrical links that wrap around the wrist.
Movements
Early Chronomats of the 1980s used a Valjoux 7750 automatic movement, as seen in a reference 81950 sold by Phillips. In 2009 the Chronomat became the first Breitling to use the in-house Manufacture Caliber 01, later called B01: a chronometer-certified column-wheel chronograph with about 70 hours of power reserve. Breitling presented an enhanced version in 2022. Some current models use other calibres, so check the exact reference.
What is a Breitling Chronomat worth?
The value depends on the generation and reference, the condition of case and bracelet, whether the dial and bezel are original, whether the Rouleaux bracelet is complete, and whether box and papers are present. Limited editions such as the 250-piece Frecce Tricolori tribute of 2020 are usually collected separately. Vintage 1980s watches have generally been more modest: a steel reference 81950 with a Valjoux 7750 sold for HK$15,120 at Phillips in Hong Kong on 28-29 November 2022, against an estimate of HK$10,000-20,000. Do not expect that figure to apply to every watch, as condition and originality matter a lot.
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Official Chronomat videos
All videos come from the official Breitling YouTube channel. They show the Chronomat B01 42, the Super Chronomat and special editions such as the Six Nations and Victoria Beckham models.
Breitling | Chronomat B01 | The Breitling Squad2026-05-19
Breitling | Chronomat B01 42mm | Austin Butler2026-01-16
Breitling | Chronomat B01 42 | Erling Haaland2025-07-15
Breitling | 140th anniversary limited edition - Super Chronomat2024-08-29
Breitling | BTS with Giannis Antetokounmpo2024-07-04
Breitling | Limited-edition Giannis Antetokounmpo Signature Chronomat watches2024-06-04
Breitling | Chronomat B01 42 with new Rouleaux-inspired rubber strap2024-06-04
Breitling | Chronomat B01 42 Triumph2024-06-04
Breitling | Chronomat B01 42 Triumph2024-06-04
Breitling | Limited-edition Giannis Antetokounmpo Signature Chronomat B01 422024-06-04
Breitling | Chronomat B01 42 | Giannis Antetokounmpo & Erling Haaland2024-06-04
Breitling | Limited-edition Giannis Antetokounmpo Signature Chronomat watches2024-06-04
Breitling | Chronomat B01 42 | Erling Haaland2024-06-04
Breitling | Chronomat B01 42 | Giannis Antetokounmpo2024-06-04
Breitling | Breitling x Victoria Beckham2024-02-13
Breitling | Breitling x Victoria Beckham | Chronomat Automatic 36 Victoria Beckham2024-02-01
Breitling | Breitling x Victoria Beckham | Chronomat Automatic 36 Victoria Beckham2024-02-01
Breitling | Chronomat Automatic 36 South Sea Capsule Collection2023-11-14
Breitling | Super Chronomat Origins2023-02-16
Breitling | Chronomat Six Nations - Product Video2023-02-02
Breitling | Chronomat Six Nations - Product Video2023-02-02
Breitling | Chronomat Six Nations - Product Video2023-02-02
Breitling | Chronomat Six Nations - Home Nations Product Video2023-02-02
Breitling | Chronomat Six Nations - Home Nations Product Video2023-02-02
More Breitling videos, sorted by model: all official Breitling playlists.
Sources (5)
SwissWatchExperts is not affiliated with Breitling. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners; the videos are embedded from the official Breitling YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Breitling Chronomat introduced?
The name first appeared in 1942 on a slide-rule chronograph, reference 769. The rider-tab Chronomat known today was launched in 1984 as reference 81950, after a 1983 version for the Frecce Tricolori.
What are the rider tabs on a Chronomat?
They are four raised tabs on the bezel at 0, 15, 30 and 45 minutes. They protect the crystal, and the 15 and 45 tabs can be swapped so the bezel counts up or down.
What size is a Breitling Chronomat?
The 1984 reference 81950 measures 39 mm. The 2020 Chronomat B01 42 is 42 mm, and Breitling also makes 32, 36, 38, 40 and 44 mm models.
Which movement is in a Chronomat?
A documented reference 81950 uses a Valjoux 7750. Since 2009 many Chronomats use Breitling's in-house Caliber 01 (B01), with about 70 hours of power reserve. Some models use other calibres.
What is a Breitling Chronomat worth?
It depends on generation, condition, originality and papers. A steel reference 81950 sold for HK$15,120 at Phillips in Hong Kong in November 2022.
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