Elegant, luxury sports watches are having a bit of a ‘moment’, and it’s easy to see the appeal. These pieces, which often have their origins in the 1970s and ’80s, are not designed for any one particular pursuit, but have a robust-yet-sophisticated nature that can transition seamlessly from casualwear to business suit. And as the lines between smart and relaxed become increasingly blurred, having a timepiece that can successfully bridge both worlds has become a wardrobe necessity.

When it was introduced in 1984 the Breitling Chronomat immediately ticked these boxes. Inspired by the Frecce Tricolori watch it created for the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic fleet the previous year, it had some serious precision timekeeping credentials. But it was its distinctive stylistic touches that cemented it as a sports-chic classic, from its interchangeable rider tabs (used for countdowns and countups) to its handsome metal Rouleaux bracelet.

These popular features laid the foundation for its revamped design that was revealed last year, and now the model is getting a larger-than-life makeover with the Super Chronomat. Measuring in at a chunky 44mm, this statement piece sees a number of bold and stylish updates. This includes a stainless steel bezel with a ceramic insert, a first for the line, and opening up new colour combinations. Here it is presented in three variations, with a choice of blue or black bezel and dial, and a third option in rich brown with a luxe red-gold case. Each comes equipped with the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, offering a sizable 70-hour power reserve.

The famous bracelet has also seen a couple of surprising and welcome changes. While the traditional metal is still available, you can choose to have your Super Chronomat on a practical rubber strap that takes inspiration from the Rouleaux design, its mixture of textures achieved through a state-of-the-art injection molding technique. Even more unusual is a black-dial version of the watch with a UTC-module embedded in a stainless-steel Rouleaux bracelet, allowing you to effortlessly track a second time zone through this additional dial.

The new collection is rounded off with one particularly special piece, the Super Chronomat 44 Four-Year Calendar. Available in blue or black, it comes equipped with a semi-perpetual calendar mechanism that needs adjusting just once every leap year, powered by the Breitling Caliber 19. Included on the balanced dial, with its quadruplet of counters, is a display at 3 o’clock featuring a moonphase indication rendered in Breitling’s contemporary style. With new complications, straps and greater case size, perhaps the Super Chronomat proves that bigger is better after all.

breitling.com