Breitling Chronomat Blackbird, 2008

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Breitling has long been purveyor of chronographs to pilots, and the original Breitling Chronomat models of 1942 were built from the ground up to be no-nonsense instruments for use in the cockpit. The watch that you're looking at here is a contemporary Chronomat model that is equally no-nonsense — the Chronomat Blackbird! Released in the 1990s, this Chronomat sub-collection honors the SR-71 'Blackbird,' the fastest jet aircraft ever flown. Initially launched as a standard triple-register chronograph with date window, it expanded into the watch you see here in 2007: Housed in a whopping 44mm stainless steel case with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces, it features a sapphire crystal, compass bezel with 'rider tabs' at the cardinal indices, a signed crown, and dual screw-down pushers. Its matte black dial conveys a plethora of information: An outer tachymeter scale and 1/5th-seconds track are joined by an outsized date window beneath 12 o'ckock, applied luminous indices, and a triple-register chronograph display with running seconds, 12-hour, and 30-minute registers. A luminous 'sword' handset rounds out the feature set. Powered by the automatic Breitling Caliber 44 modular chronograph movement (ETA 2892 base), this hardy tool watch comes paired to its correct stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a signed folding clasp. Happily, it also includes its Chronometer Certificate and punched Japanese papers dating to 2008. In need of a serious everyday tool watch that you don't have to baby? Look no further!