Partners since 2003, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Breitling would create a special watch to mark the centenary of luxury car marker Bentley this year.
Still, what a watch it is. Presented in a 42mm round case crafted from 18ct red gold, it is worn on a brown quilted calfskin strap whose pattern and stitching emulate that of the luxurious seats in a Bentley car.
What really got our pulses racing though is the unique brown burl elm dial, inspired by the wooden dashboard of the iconic 1929 “Blower” Bentleys.
Contrasting black sub-dials are used for the running seconds and 30-minute chronograph counter, while a white tachymeter scale is printed on a black inner bezel around the dial, with a red tachymeter inscription.
Inside is the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, a chronometer-certified self-winding chronograph movement.
It’s visible under a sapphire crystal featuring the Bentley logo.
The words “ONE OF 200” are engraved on the outer caseback. As a final detail, the left side of the features a plate engraved with the word “Bentley”, another subtle reference to the dashboard of the “Blower” Bentley.