BreitlingChronoliner Blacksteel Black Diamond

The Chronoliner wasn’t Breitling’s first vintage-inspired watch, of course – that honour goes to the Transocean line – but the Chronoliner certainly offers a better mix of vintage-inspired looks and modern toughness and reliability than its counterpart.

This version is something special. Breitling’s own Blacksteel that you see here is essentially a blacked-out version of the original Chronoliner that debuted in 2015. The case is still crafted out of steel, but it has been given a carbon-based treatment which makes it black but, more importantly, also makes it more resistant to the rigour of daily wear.

The case size and thickness are both unchanged at 46mm and 15.95mm, respectively, which means that the Breitling Chronoliner Blacksteel is a big, substantial watch but not out of the norm by contemporary standards. It has also retained the black, bidirectional ceramic bezel and vintage-style pushers which shine brightly, being scratch and fade-resistant to boot.

What has changed, however, is the dial and hands. Instead of the ‘panda’ dial with cream-white subdials, the Breitling Chronoliner Blacksteel has, you guessed it, an all-black dial. That said, legibility isn’t hampered because the subdials are slightly recessed and come in a slightly lighter shade. Water resistance is 100m, which is only fitting for a sports watch.

Inside, the Breitling Chronoliner Blacksteel is powered by the Breitling 24 caliber, which is based on the Valjoux 7754. It combines the chronograph function with a GMT module, and it’s a time-tested movement that is known for reliabilty. Along with the 24-hour markings on the dial and the bidirectional bezel, as noted, this means that the Breitling Chronoliner Blacksteel can track time in up to three timezones simultaneously. Power reserve is a solid 42 hours. And since it’s a Breitling, the watch is of course chronometer-certified by COSC, so accuracy isn’t an issue.

Where this piece really shines is the shoulders which are encrusted with 0.392cts. of factory black diamonds, produced in a very limited run of 25 pieces. This is number 8/25 and believed to be the only example in the UK and was imported by Breitling from Breitling Switzerland.

While the regular Chronoliner Blacksteel comes on a rubber strap, designed to mimic mesh, this highly limited run of 25 pieces comes on the real deal, a black steel Milanese mesh bracelet, a difference only noticeable when handling the watch and aware of the weight.

The watch is presented for sale with case, caseback and buckle in mint condition, all booklets, inner and outer boxes, papers and accessories. The alligator strap is fitted and the Blacksteel mesh strap is included in the box. A pristine example of a highly unusual piece.

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