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Breitling has refined the Chronomat in all the right places, but the real question is: which version now becomes the one to own?

Breitling has given one of its most iconic sports watches a redesign, bringing subtle but meaningful refinements to the Chronomat line. One of the most recognisable sports watches in Breitling’s catalogue, the Chronomat was originally introduced in the 1980s for Italy’s famed Frecce Tricolori aerobatic squadron. It was a timepiece that became known to be much more than a pilot’s chronograph, finding its place across fashion, pop culture, and daily wear. It eventually turned into Breitling’s ultimate “go anywhere, do anything” sports watch.

The Chronomat’s strength lies in its ability to sit between different worlds. It has aviation roots, with its technical capability and robust construction, but is also able to carry a sense of style, which has helped it to seamlessly transition beyond the cockpit and into everyday life. That balance is what has made the collection so enduring, especially with the return of key design elements like the Rouleaux bracelet in 2020, which helped reconnect the modern Chronomat with its 1980s identity.

Now for 2026, Breitling is refining the details of the Chronomat, making it more wearable but keeping the visual identity that makes it so easily recognisable. Across the new Chronomat B01 42, Chronomat B31 Automatic 40, and Chronomat Automatic 36, the collection feels sharper, more versatile, and more wearable, showing how small design changes can make a big impact.

A Sharper Take On The Chronomat Formula

The most noticeable update to the newly refined Chronomat collection is the move from a semi-integrated bracelet design to a fully integrated case and bracelet construction. This certainly presents a more seamless design and visually looks better on the wrist, all the while keeping the Chronomat’s signature details intact.

Breitling has also been clever in concealing the lugs behind the case, which means that the watch keeps the visual appeal of the integrated design, without losing that strap versatility. This is an important detail to point out, as many integrated bracelet designs on the market feel limited when it comes to changing the straps.

Another meaningful update comes in the form of the Rouleaus bracelet itself. It now features a micro-adjustment system on the steel and two-tone models. This system allows the wearer to extend the bracelet by one link on each side of the concealed butterfuly clasp. It can be done while the watch is still worn on the wrist, attesting to the system’s convenience. This is a practical improvement that is sure to make the Chronomat even more comfortable in everyday situations, especially when the wrist size can change due to the humidity, heat, or pressure.

For the chronograph model specifically, Breitling has streamlined the bezel construction, integrating the bezel ring, insert, rider tabs, and screws into one single-piece design, rather than the previous 18-component construction. This not only gives the bezel a cleaner look but also helps to sharpen the overall profile of the watch.

The final update comes through Breitling’s use of colour and material options for the various models in the Chronomat collection. The brand has gone back to the essential colours, with white, green, blue, anthracite, ice blue, and brown all being available across the range of models. The case and bracelet material options also add to the variety of choices, from full stainless steel to two-tone executions and full gold models, while the ice-blue references retain the classic platinum bezel.

Chronomat B01 42 (Chronograph)

As mentioned earlier, the chronograph now features a more streamlined bezel design, alongside a case thickness reduction from 15.1mm to 13.77mm. With a case diameter of 42mm and lug-to-lug distance of 45.8mm, this helps enhance the model’s wearability, as it aims to hug the wrist a bit tighter. Breitling has also removed the 1/100 scale from the rehaut, which was done to improve the legibility and make it more simplistic in design. The crown guard has also been downsized, which was aimed at “making winding and setting more comfortable.”

The classic collection is offered in your standard colour palettes with either a white, deep blue, or dark green dial paired with tri-chronograph counters in black. The dials have a sunburst finish, designed to offer slightly lighter shades of the colour depending on the angle of light.

We then get a timepiece in 18k red gold, with a beautiful brown sunburst dial to match, or a two-tone stainless steel and 18k red gold watch with an anthracite dial. The last model is a stainless steel platinum edition which features a more bold ice blue dial, which contrasts nicely against the black sub-dials. All of the models are offered on either the stainless steel Rouleaux bracelet or Rouleaux-inspired rubber strap. The chronograph models all feature the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01, which is perfectly suited for daily wear as it beats at a high frequency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH) while offering a 70-hour power reserve.

Chronomat Automatic B31 40

The Chronomat Automatic B31 40 is an important addition to the collection, as it is the first time-and-date Chronomat to be offered in a versatile 40mm case size. With a thickness of just 10.99mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 43.7mm this collection is designed to sit comfortably on the wrist, while still retaining that strong sports-watch identity of the Chronomat.

The standard stainless steel models are offered in three classic colours: white, blue, and green. These give the Chronomat Automatic B31 40 a nice level of variety while keeping the overall design clean and easy to wear daily. The time-and-date layout also gives the dial a more simplistic aesthetic compared to the chronograph models, which makes this collection a more versatile option.

Breitling is also offering a stainless steel and platinum edition, and like the chronographs, this also features an ice blue dial, giving the watch a slightly more elevated feel. While the standard models are only offered on the Rouleaux steel bracelet, the ice blue dial gets both the bracelet and a black Rouleaux-inspired rubber strap. Powering the Chronomat Automatic B31 40 is Breitling’s Manufacture Calibre B31, a COSC-certified automatic movement that offers a weekend-surviving 78-hour power reserve while beating at a high frequency of 4Hz.

Chronomat Automatic 36

The Chronomat Automatic 36 rounds out this new, refined collection as a more compact and elegant expression of Breitling’s all-purpose timepiece. The updated Automatic 36 collection comes in a 36mm case size, with a thickness of 9.68mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 39.5mm, making it one of the most wrist-friendly options in this new lineup. Breitling has also slimmed the case down from the previous 10.01mm thickness, helping the watch sit a bit more comfortably on the wrist.

There are a total of five models in this new Chronomatic Automatic 36 lineup, giving the collection a nice balance between sporty, elegant, and more jewellery-focused executions. Firstly, we get the stainless steel model with a blue dial, followed by a white mother-of-pearl dial with lab-grown diamond hour markers. Then we have a more decorative stainless steel edition with a grey mother-of-pearl dial, with lab-grown diamond hour markers, and a lab-grown diamond-set bezel, adding a more elevated luxury presence to the collection.

The final two models are a stainless steel and a two-tone stainless steel and an 18k red gold edition, with one featuring a white mother-of-pearl dial and lab-grown diamond hour markers, while the other has a brown dial, lab-grown diamond hour markers, and a red-gold bezel set with lab-grown diamonds.

Powering all five of these Chronomatic Automatic 36 models is the COSC-certified Breitling Calibre 10, a Sellita-based automatic movement that beats at 4Hz and offers approximately 42 hours of power reserve.

Initial Thoughts

This new evolution of the Breitling Chronomat feels like a smart and well-thought-out execution. They retained all the core elements that define the Chronomat line, while upgrading its wearability and enhancing its visual appeal through a properly integrated-bracelet design. With the collection’s refined proportions, it becomes more wearable and easier to enjoy on a daily basis.

The move to a fully integrated case and bracelet design gives the collection a sharper and more modern presence, while practical updates like the micro-adjustment system and slimmer case profiles show that these changes are not just aesthetic, but focused on real-world wearability too.

What I also like is how this new evolution has given the Chronomat collection more structure across the different models. The B01 42 remains as the bold chronograph option, while the B31 Automatic 40 is a more versatile option with a time-and-date-only execution. For a collection that has always been about balancing performance, style, and everyday usability, these updates feel like the right move forward.

Reference: Breitling Chronomat B01 Chronograph 42 Collection (Stainless Steel)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $13, 690 (SS Bracelet), AUD $13,190 (Rubber strap)

Availability: Available now through Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers, or head online to Breitling.com.au

Reference: Breitling Chronomat B01 Chronograph 42 Collection (Stainless steel & 18k Red Gold)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $21,290 (Bracelet), AUD $16,290 (Rubber strap)

Availability: Available now through Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers, or head online to Breitling.com.au

Reference: Breitling Chronomat B01 Chronograph 42 Collection 18K Red Gold

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $80,890 (Bracelet), AUD $47,390 (Rubber strap)

Availability: Available now through Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers, or head online to Breitling.com.au

Reference: Breitling Chronomat B01 Chronograph 42 Collection (Stainless steel & Platinum)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $18,090 (Bracelet), AUD $17,590 (Rubber strap)

Availability: Available now through Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers, or head online to Breitling.com.au

Reference: Breitling Chronomat B31 Automatic 40

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $9,490

Availability: Available now through Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers, or head online to Breitling.com.au

Reference: Breitling Chronomat B31 Automatic 40

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $13,390 (Bracelet), AUD $12,890 (Rubber strap)

Availability: Available now through Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers, or head online to Breitling.com.au

Reference: Breitling Chronomat B31 Automatic 36

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $8,590 (Steel/blue dial), AUD $10,390 (Steel/M.O.P dial), AUD $17,690 (Steel & 18k red gold/M.O.P dial)

Availability: Available now through Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers, or head online to Breitling.com.au

Reference: Breitling Chronomat B31 Automatic 36

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $14,490 (Steel/M.O.P Dial), AUD $20,990 (Steel & 18K Red Gold/ Brown Dial).

Availability: Available now through Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers, or head online to Breitling.com.au