As the two brands part ways, they celebrate 19 years of extraordinary wristwatches, in-cabin clocks, events and experiences.
Swiss watch brand Breitling and British luxury car maker Bentley have been working together for 19 years, the longest-ever partnership between a watch brand and a luxury car manufacturer. As the making of the last Bentley Breitling Tourbillon is complete, the two legendary marques look back on their best-in-class union and significant shared achievements.
The partnership began in 2002, when Bentley and Breitling came together to design the onboard clock for the first-ever Bentley Continental GT, which was debuted in 2003. Following this, the partnership has created some of the most notable watches in Breitling’s history. The last Bentley Breitling Tourbillon now leaves the factory – set to be an iconic collector’s timepiece for generations to come – representing the final collaboration between the two brands.
For the past two decades, Bentley and Breitling have collaboratively achieved extraordinary levels of luxury for their customers. Today, they announce that they will be parting ways at the end of 2021, remaining firm friends, having shared many experiences and achievements together.
Some of the most memorable collaborations between the two brands include: the Breitling Bentley Supersports Light Body watch, the Breitling Bentley GT3 Limited Edition, the Bentayga dashboard Tourbillon clock, the Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series, the Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley British Racing Green, and the Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition.
As the journey shared by Breitling and Bentley draws to a close after nearly two decades, it is appropriate that the final chapter is defined by the ultimate in luxury watchmaking, the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition, produced in an exclusive series of 25 pieces. The final piece from the series is now on its way to its owner. It marks a fitting end to a partnership which has always been characterized by two great brands’ joint commitment to pioneering spirit, expert craftsmanship, exquisite design and technological excellence.
“We’re proud of this elegant symbol of our brands’ shared values: quality, performance, and design excellence,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. Back in 2002, Bentley Motors commissioned Breitling to create an on-board clock for its legendary Continental GT. Created in the spirit of stylistic perfection and peerless quality, our exclusive new chronograph also pays homage to Willy Breitling, a passionate Bentley driver whose watches changed the face of timekeeping.
Willy Breitling, the grandson of our founder, Léon Breitling, patented the chronograph with two independent pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock in 1934. Besides being tech savvy and bold, Willy Breitling understood the desire for elegance and glamour. This led him to design the original Premier wristwatches in the 1940s, Breitling’s first link from purpose to style. As Willy saw it, “When a man puts on his watch, it is the unmistakable stamp of impeccable taste.”
With this heritage in mind, the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition is suitably adorned with elegant details and very cool Modern-Retro touches.
Today’s reinterpretation of the Premier lives up to its ancestor’s reputation. Limited to just 25 pieces, the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition features a 42 mm case in 18 k red gold, rectangular chronograph pushers, a gold-brown alligator strap, and a transparent sapphire caseback revealing the magnificent movement with its 22-karat gold oscillating weight. The highlight is the special chronograph tourbillon caliber and cage seen through the distinctive green dial, reminiscent of the British racing green color associated with other models in the Breitling and Bentley collaboration.
“This striking watch embodies our joint commitment to pioneering spirit, expert craftsmanship, and technological excellence,” notes Bentley Motors CEO Adrian Hallmark.
Powered by the Manufacture Caliber B21, this COSC-certified tourbillon movement has a power reserve of approximately 55 hours and is water-resistant up to 100 meters.