When a tourbillon complication comes added to a chronograph in one case, then watch/time collectors know that something has reached the realm of horology that is out of the ordinary--it is a declaration of skill. The Breitling premier B21 chronograph tourbillon 42 Willy Breitling edition is no other sort of watch. It is named after Willy Breitling, the farseeing grandson of the founder, who was driving the fusion of purpose with fashion in a manner that would come to define Breitling in the mid XX century.
It is not merely a matter of technical excellence, but a reflection of the manner in which one of the most influential men in Breitling history could be embodied in terms of excellence in design, high-end materials and the art of haute horlogerie.
Background: The Premier Collection and Willy Breitling’s Legacy
Premier collection is a heritage of the company since 1940s and one of the important pages of the Breitling history. Although this brand was already a trailblazer in the field of aviation as well as technical chronographs, Willy Breitling felt that there was a gap in the market when it came to watches that were simple and useful but yet customarily refined.
Famously Willy Breitling has said:
When a man wears his watch it is as infallible a sign of perfection of taste as can be worn."
That philosophy runs through in the contemporary line, the Premier line currently under revival by Georges Kern. It is a mixture of retro inspiration and the latest mechanics. A unique combination of flying tourbillon and monopusher chronograph that is hardly ever used in combination, let alone outside the shadows of the very elite, the B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Willy Breitling Edition is the epitome of that comeback.
Key Features of the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Willy Breitling
The watch offers a balance of luxury design cues, mechanical complexity, and heritage-driven aesthetics.
Tourbillon at 12 o’clock: The flying tourbillon is not discreet or tamed down, but the main event on the dial, right in a 12 oclock position where Breitling could display its watchmaking skills to the full effect.
Monopusher Chronograph Function: Activated only through one pusher on the crown which provides the start, stop and reset functions without having multiple buttons. This maintains the case profile centred and balanced.
Premium Case Materials: Willy Breitling version is manufactured in 18k red gold, making it heavier, warmer and more exclusive.
Signature Premier Details: With engraved rectangular caseband plaque, stepped lugs and polished pushers reminiscent of Breitling of the mid 20 th century design.
Elegant Dial Colours: It almost always has a silver or champagne dial, with a gold-toned hands and applied indices to supply readability and a bit of visual interest without being busy.
Sapphire Caseback: It features an open caseback allowing to have a look at a beautiful finished Breitling B21 calibre, adorned with Geneva stripes and anglage and featuring the visible tourbillon bridge.
Technical Features
The Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 is a powerhouse beneath its refined exterior. Here’s what defines its technical DNA:
Movement: Breitling Calibre B21
Automatic winding
Monopusher chronograph
Flying tourbillon
COSC-certified chronometer
Functions:
Hours, minutes
Small seconds
60-minute chronograph counter
Tourbillon
Case Size:
42 mm diameter
Approx. 15.2 mm thickness (due to the tourbillon assembly)
Materials:
18k Red Gold case
Sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on both sides
Water Resistance:
100 metres (10 bar)—a notable achievement for a watch housing a tourbillon
Strap:
Hand-stitched alligator leather strap with a folding clasp
Power Reserve:
Approximately 55 hours
Why Choose the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Willy Breitling?
For serious collectors or those exploring high-end Swiss watches, this model offers several compelling reasons to consider it:
True Haute Horlogerie from a Heritage Brand: Breitling is the brand that produces sport watches, but B21 Tourbillon indicates its potential in terms of fine watchmaking, where both the art of the chronograph and the art of the tourbillon come together.
In-House Movement Collaboration: The B21 calibre is made in co-operation with La Joux-Perret thereby guaranteeing exclusivity and exalting technical standards. This is not a re-badged mass movement; this has been customized to Breitling.
Collector’s Value: The low run of production, valuable materials and the two problems combine to make this watch a probable collector interest and value long term.
Daily-Wear Practicality: In spite of the complexity, the watch still has 100m water-resistant capability and a well-built functioning, an aspect that is barely met in tourbillon watches as they tend to be too fragile to carry out day to day experience.
Willy Breitling’s Legacy: In case of people who value history, it gives one an added emotional touch to wear a watch that respects the contributions of Willy Breitling both in terms of design and innovation of the chronograph.
Final Thoughts
The Breitling Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Willy Breitling Edition is not another luxury chronograph. It is one of these statement watches and it manages to merge two of the greatest complications one can find in a watch, the chronograph and the tourbillon, into one watch that both pays homage to Breitling and its history but also celebrates the current levels of craftsmanship.
It is more of a watch that the employees like the story behind the movement as much as they like the movement itself. It is for all of these reasons whether as a devoted Breitling enthusiast or anyone interested in investigating obscure Swiss complications, this model is simply unique combination of both aesthetic and mechanical innovativeness as well as heritage that is uncommon in the current luxury watch world.
Trusted information obtained from Breitling's official sources and reputable watch industry journals forms the basis of this blog article. Although accuracy has been a main concern, readers are encouraged to verify the most recent specs, price, and product availability by visiting approved Breitling stores or the official Breitling website.
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