The Ultimate Breitling Chronomat

A look at the 44mm gold and steel chronograph from Swiss watchmaker Breitling. The UB0136251B1U1 Chronomat.

[thedaveaftertomorrow]

My father in law wears an older version of this and, every time I see it, I’m well and truly put in my place

[Spongelebob]

I love the entire Chronomat line, it's just so unapologetically bold and also uniquely Breitling.

[timkirby]

Breitling has a rich Aviation Heritage. Everyone knows and recognizes a Rolex, for me, when my passengers are deplanning and one holds up his Breitling, having noticing mine and says "Nice watch", that's what owning a Breitling is about. The folks that recognize a Breitling are those that appreciate what it represents and it's like meeting a person from the small town you grew up in while touring the Alps. Chances are the fellow Breitling owner has something to do with or is a huge Aviation fan. When I was in my teens and a private pilot, I wanted a Breitling because of it's Aviation Heritage. So 45 years later and several Breitlings, I still admire the association with Aviation that Breitling has.

[cjmcaulay]

As a Chronomat 44 GMT owner (late model, with the wings logo), I appreciate how much of Breitling’s design language consistently goes into one of its flagship models.

[WatchGeek]

Never was a fan of Breitling and especially never liked the Chronomat, but somehow i find this one gorgeous!!

[ronnienes]

I turned 40 recently too and the gold thing is real. All of a sudden I’m ready to bling. Got a vintage Citizen square gold tone Stiletto with a 22mm matte and polished 7 link bracelet. Lovely.

[STROND]

Such a nice quality looking timepiece, one to put on our bucket list !

[БојанПавловић-ей]

Breitling has best hardware for the money in watch industry. Cases, hands, dials, bracelets... Everything is done properly

[michaelriera]

Breitling has so much history and wrist presence.

[theultimatesuhak]

This is well-executed maximalism.

Yeah, it's got subdials, and golden pushers, and "riders" on the bezel, and a bracelet made of tiny bullets and there are some golden rings on it. But it's ok, cause each part builds on the previous ones. It's pretty refreshing in the modern era of minimalism, if you ask me. Like an ancient building with lots of ornamentation. No wonder it's popular in italy.

Also, I've got the old two-tone b13050 version too with an extremely sunbirst grey dial and it's the only watch that ever actually got me a compliment from a woman.

[SirIke]

I love Breitling in general and the Chronomat in particular. I really enjoy your content, well done and very funny. Thank you.

[rossdonison]

I love all the renditions of the Chronomat and have owned most of them. I’m also a diver and have dove with tons of chronographs as a fun backup to my computer. I can tell you that I’ve never had a single problem. In fact all the omega 300m series chronographs as well as the Planet Ocean chronographs CAN be operated and their full depth of 300m and 600m respectively. Since most people don’t go beyond 40m I think they are just fine to dive with. There are plebty of other brands that have the same capability. So whomever told you chrono’s are not water resistant is not well educated in modern watch tech.

[benanthony]

I tried the steel version on at an AD in Melbourne and just loved it. Such a fun and robust watch.

[ericsoegyanto]

Great review! I bought this watch (on rubber strap) after watching this video. An impulse purchase while looking for a Christmas watch. If there’s such thing as beauty and the beast in the watch collecting world. This is it

[Theultimateclimber]

It’s about time someone did a revue on this. On the rubber strap it is so garishly good

[pedramfirooztash]

Another excellent review with a twist of humour… well done

[Dialandhands]

Unpopular opinion but I love the Chronomat! This one wouldn’t be me because of the size but the green dial GMT is awesome!!

[thetimist]

A lot of history behind the Chronomat name - like everything, it’s not for everyone, but I do love some of the other steel/colored dial variants. Also, if you wear one of these on each wrist, does that count as working out? 🤔

[runrin_]

the only good thing i can say about the design of this watch is that the date window is very well integrated into the design.

[wkdsid]

Have the copper dial in steel. It is truly fantastic. The bracelet is supple and conforms to your wrist. FYI, Kendall Roy wore this in rose gold with Breitling rubber rouleaux style band in the first episode of Succession.