Breitling Chrono-matic QP limited edition in rose gold

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the world’s first automatic chronograph, the Swiss watch making brand has presented its new Breitling Chrono-matic QP limited edition chronograph watch sporting a rare perpetual calendar complication.

It was in March 1969, when Breitling has introduced the legendary Chrono-matic series of watches. It was powered by the Caliber 11 movement, the world’s first engine combining a chronograph and an automatic movement with date display in a single package.

Besides the Chrono-matic series, the movement was also used in Heuer’s Carrera, Monaco and the Autavia models.

The Heuer/ Breitling/ Hamilton/ Dubois Depraz group has had invested more than half a million Swiss Francs (around 115,000 in 1969 US Dollars) to develop this amazing movement, so the 1969 year Navitimer was offered at a recommended price of $290,00 for a stainless steel model.

The new Breitling Chrono-matic QP Anniversary model is much, much more expensive. And justly so. Limited to only 125 pieces, the watch comes in a Gargantuan 49 mm 18kt rose gold case and is powered by the COSC-certified Caliber 29 automatic in-house movement.

First presented in the Breitling for Bentley Mark VI Complications 29 model, the Caliber 29 consists of 500 parts, includes 38 jewels, sports a power reserve of 48 hours and features perpetual calendar functionality with leap year indication, seasons and even moon phases. Whoa.

Of course, the Chrono-matic QP also sports Breitling’s trademark rotating bezel with circular slide ruler. Not that you will use it often, but it still looks nice and, err, professional.

Photos: Breitling

Breitling Chrono-matic QP limited edition watch specification

Price range: N/A, very expensive
Movement: Caliber 29, automatic, in-house, 38 jewels, 28,800 bph, 500 parts
Complications: Perpetual calendar, chronograph (1/4 sec)
Power reserve: 48 hours
Case material: 18kt rose gold
Case size: 49 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black or Panamerican bronze
Water resistance: 30 m
Strap: Barenia leather, crocodile leather or Ocean Racer
Crystal: Sapphire, double AR-coated