Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

Breitling. A stainless steel, gold and diamond-set automatic chronograph wristwatch with date and bracelet, Ref. B13356, Chronomat Evolution, circa 2005
Movement: cal. B13 7750, automatic, 25 jewels.
Dial: silvered, baton indexes, engine-turned gilt subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 12-hour and 30-minute registers, aperture for date.
Case: stainless steel, diamond-set bezel with gold rider tabs, screw-down back and chronograph pushers, stainless steel and gold bracelet.
Signed: case, dial, movement and bracelet.
Dimensions: diameter 43mm, bracelet circumference approximately 180mm.
Accessories: warranty certificate, attestation de chronomètre, instructions, booklets, spare links and presentation case.
£2,000-£3,000

Earnest Schneider, an engineer and aviation enthusiast, took over Breitling in 1979. Understanding that he was now the guardian of a unique legacy he sort to produce high performance watches, ‘instruments for professionals’.
In the early 1980’s Schneider set out to create a special chronograph for the Frecce Tricolori Jet team. As a pilot himself, he understood the important of legibility and comfort. It also had to withstand the hard knocks it would receive from the pilots.
This lead to a chronograph with slightly recessed crystal and four protective “rider tabs”, the signature elements of the Chronomat.
In 1984, Breitling launches the Chronomat, the name combines chronograph and automatic.