Introducing: Breitling Refreshes The Chronomat Collection

What We Know

Today, Breitling relaunches the Chronomat lineup with an updated design language that builds on the collection’s major 2020 revamp and makes a few small adjustments that feel quite consumer-friendly. The refreshed collection spans the gamut of sizes and complications, with 22 variants, from chronographs to time-and-date models, in many dial colors and metals. There are three models in the new lineup: the Chronomat B01 42 chronograph, the Chronomat Automatic B31 40, and the Chronomat Automatic 36. 

In steel, the Chronomat B01 comes with a white, blue, or green dial and contrasting black subdials, while in two-tone steel and red gold, it features a grey dial. A full red gold variant features a brown dial, while a steel case with a platinum bezel comes with an ice blue dial.

There is also a new model in this update, the Chronomat Automatic B31 40. It’s the first time-and-date Chronomat in a 40mm diameter, which I think hits the sweet spot for the more sporty, aggressive Chronomat design and a wide range of wrists. It’s also the first time we’ve seen the Caliber B31 on a Chronomat, as it was previously used in the Top Time B31 and a few SuperOcean Heritage models. In steel, there are three dial colors: blue, green, and white, while a steel case with a platinum bezel comes with an ice blue dial. 

For the Chronomat Automatic 36, a steel version is available in a classic blue dial. For a little more bling, there are steel-cased white mother-of-pearl and grey mother-of-pearl dial options, with the white dial coming with lab-grown diamond hour markers, and the grey dial coming with those diamond hour markers and a lab-grown diamond-set bezel. There are also two options in two-tone steel and red gold, one with a red gold bezel, white mother-of-pearl dial, and diamond hour markers, and one with a diamond-set bezel, diamond-hour markers, and a brown dial. Did we get through everything? Phew.

So, from a high level, what’s changed? It might not be the easiest thing to answer upon a quick glance at any of the new watches, since they still retain a very similar identity to the previous generation. But the biggest change is the integration of the bracelet into the case and lugs. The previous-generation Chronomat case featured a more conventional lug design, with a faux endlink that extended from the case to meet the bracelet at its attachment point. 

The new 2026 Chronomat case design transitions from traditional lugs to a shrouded-lug design, connecting the bracelet in a visually seamless way and changing the case shape to a more tonneau shape. Ergonomics has also been improved, with thicknesses reduced across the board. The Chronomat B01 42 chronograph, for example, goes from a thickness of 15.1mm down to 13.77mm. The Chronomat Automatic 36 reduces its case height from 10.01mm to 9.68mm.

Visually, the distinctive rider tabs on the bezel get a softer, dressier treatment, and the iconic Rouleaux bracelet stays. This isn’t necessarily a new visual language for the line, as the Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 and the Chronomat Automatic 36 of the now-discontinued generation already sported these softer bezels. Now, however, it unifies that language in the Chronomat collection. On the chronographs, the crown guards have slimmed down, and the 1/100th scale on the rehaut has been removed, reducing utility but improving simplicity. A big win is the addition of toolless microadjustment on certain bracelets. Sadly, this system is only on the steel and two-tone bracelets, meaning that precious metal variants won’t have this ready to go.

In terms of pricing, the Chronomat B01 chronographs start at $9,900 in steel on bracelet, the Chronomat B31 starts at $7,200 in steel on bracelet, and the Chronomat 36 starts at $5,950 in steel on bracelet.

What We Think

The Chronomat continues to be one of Breitling’s unapologetically distinct designs, and having a refreshed collection that’s generally slimmed down is something I certainly can’t complain about. I do think the redesigned lugs are a significant improvement over the previous generation with that faux endlink, and Breitling emphasizes that the new collection should wear much better overall on the wrist. It’ll be something to certainly check out in person.

While the chronographs are, in my opinion, certainly the icons of the Chronomat series, the new 40mm time-and-date Chronomat catches my eye. It’s probably the watch I would pick for myself out of the new collection (the green dial, because I am way too predictable), though thanks to the dressier new bezel style and the tonneau case of the new generation, I can’t get out of my head some resemblance to an Overseas here. Am I overthinking it? Probably.

I’m curious to see what the core Breitling audience thinks about a new Chronomat design that offers a more refined look, softening the edges all around. On the one hand, it’s a dressier look that makes the Chronomat more versatile, but I can also see people keeping a fondness for the deep-rooted, aggressively sporty look the line has provided over the years.

The Basics

Brand: Breitling
Model: Chronomat B01 42; Chronomat Automatic B31 40; Chronomat Automatic 36
Reference Number: Various

Diameter: 42mm (Chronomat B01); 40mm (Chronomat Automatic B31); 36mm (Chronomat Automatic)
Thickness: 13.77mm (Chronomat B01)l; 10.99mm (Chronomat Automatic B31); 9.68mm (Chronomat Automatic 36)
Case Material: Stainless steel, 18k red gold; or two-tone in steel and 18k red gold or platinum
Dial Color: Various
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes, Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 200m (Chronomat B01 and Automatic B31); 100m (Chronomat Automatic 36)
Strap/Bracelet: Rouleaux bracelet or rubber strap. Steel and two-tone models with microadjustment.

The Movement

Caliber: B01; B31; Breitling 10
Functions: Various
Power Reserve: 70 hours (B01); 78 hours (B31); 42 hours (Breitling 10)
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 VpH (4 Hz)
Chronometer Certified: Yes, all three calibers are COSC-certified

Pricing & Availability

Price: Chronomat B01 chronographs start at $9,900 in steel on bracelet, the Chronomat B31 starts at $7,200 in steel on bracelet, and the Chronomat 36 starts at $5,950 in steel on bracelet.
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No

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