ReviewThe Everyday All-Rounder: Presenting The Newest Breitling Chronomat GMT 40

From its history as a scientist’s accessory, to becoming a necessary piece of equipment for pilots, and now, as an all-round sports watch, the Breitling Chronomat line has come a long way. The new 2022 update brought us the new Chronomat Automatic GMT 40—enhancing its appeal as a daily-wear watch, with a size suitable for just about any wrist, and for its increased functionality as well. Up until this 40mm edition, the Chronomat came in two polarising sizes—a burly 44mm and diminutive 32mm. The Chronomat GMT 40 is infinitely more wearable—not just because of the smaller and slimmer 11.77mm case, or its 200m water-resistance, but also because the bezel has a slimmer, cleaner look. Additionally, the Chronomat’s signature steel rouleaux (or ‘roller-style’) bracelet fits comfortable around any wrist. These updates make the Chronomat Automatic GMT tough enough for the cockpit, a sports field, the gym, or any day-to-day activities, yet elegant enough to be worn with formal attire even.

The Crisp And Clean Chronomat GMT

While the chronograph was an important function in the earlier Chronomats, the complication made the watch heavier and bulkier. It was perhaps time to introduce a different complication, and with time zone tracking gaining more relevance in a COVID-impacted world, Breitling seem to be catering to the need of the hour. The cool, new GMT function on the Chronomat is powered by the Breitling’s 42-hour automatic calibre 32. The 24-hour scale on the flange and the arrow-head GMT hand allow the wearer to track time in a secondary zone at a glance. 

The 24-hour scale on the flange and the arrow-head GMT hand allow the wearer to track time in a secondary zone at a glance

While the Chronomat retains the debossed five-minute markers and the ‘rider tabs’ at 15-minute intervals, these riders are no longer fitted with removable screws; and are, instead, a part of the unidirectional-rotating bezel

Another notable change is in the steel bezel. While the Chronomat retains the debossed five-minute markers and the ‘rider tabs’ at 15-minute intervals that the line is so well known for, these riders are no longer fitted with removable screws; and are, instead, a part of the unidirectional-rotating. So, while the 15- and 45-minute tabs are no longer interchangeable with each other to switch between a countdown and count-up timer, the thinner bezel gives the watch a more seamless and cleaner appearance. This also means that any concerns surrounding the wear-and-tear and subsequent replacement of the riders has been put to rest for this edition.

The Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 offers a diverse selection of dial colours: a matt black and a white, a brilliant, iridescent blue (seen here), and a green, and anthracite grey

The bracelet wraps well around the wrist, making the watch more wearable and comfortable, while also lending added elegance

With Super-LumiNova-coated indexes and hands, and the flange in the same colour as the dial, the watch is neat and uncluttered

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Elegance In Sporty Design

Breitling’s distinctive rouleaux bracelet, which was discontinued until 2020, graces the case with its brushed cylindrical steel links, and polished rings on alternate links. This bracelet wraps well around the wrist, making the watch more wearable and comfortable, while also lending added elegance. 

Seen here are all the dial versions with which Breitling launched the new Chronomat GMT 40

The Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 offers a diverse selection of dial colours: a matt black and a white, a brilliant, iridescent blue, and a green, and anthracite grey. With Super-LumiNova-coated indexes and hands, and the flange in the same colour as the dial, the watch is neat and uncluttered.

Breitling’s distinctive rouleaux bracelet graces the case with its brushed cylindrical steel links, and polished rings on alternate links

While keeping its story as interesting as ever, the slimmer, sleeker, cleaner Breitling Chronomat GMT makes for a wonderful new addition to the ever-evolving collection.