Breitling and Britain’s Bentley Motors enjoy the longest-ever partnership between a watch brand and an automobile manufacturer. In fact, it dates back to 2002, when Bentley, the world’s most admired luxury car brand, launched the very first Continental GT. For this particular car, Bentley commissioned Breitling to create an onboard clock that would reflect the unparalleled luxury, peerless quality, and extraordinary performance of the new grand tourer, which was debuted in 2003. To celebrate their partnership and 100 years of luxury motoring, Breitling just announced the new Breitling Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition ref. RB01181A1Q1X1 produced in 18K red gold or stainless steel. Equipped with an elegant, unique brown elm burl wooden dial with black subdials —a 30-minute chrono counter at 3 o’clock and a running seconds subdial at 9 o’clock—, the contrasting subdials indicate that the watch is powered by Breitling’s flagship Manufacture Calibre 01.
The Breitling Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition in 18K red gold is presented on a brown leather strap with a pattern and stitching inspired by the seats of a Bentley. Meanwhile, the stainless steel version will be available on the brown Bentley-inspired leather strap as well as on a stainless steel bracelet. The 42 mm case features a plate with an engraved “Bentley” inscription on the left caseband. The design is based on the dashboard of the historic supercharged 1929 “Blower” Bentley. The Breitling Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition is a COSC-certified chronometer and water resistant to 100 meters.
Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, commented: “The long-standing collaboration between Bentley and Breitling is a sterling example of how brands with shared values work together in an authentic way – the performance of both is enhanced. While we are certainly celebrating our past in our centenary year, our focus is on a future characterized by our passion for innovation. It is exciting to introduce our Centenary Limited Edition – Continental GT Number 9 Edition at the same time and in the same place that Breitling is launching its Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition watch. These two releases define both companies’ unwavering commitment to technological excellence, expert craftsmanship, and a pioneering spirit.”
The new Breitling Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition is powered by the in-house mechanical movement Breitling Calibre 01. This movement, fully visible through a display case back featuring a Bentley logo is composed of 346 parts and provides a power reserve of 70 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph. The chronograph mechanism features a column-wheel and a vertical clutch. The case back features a “ONE OF 200” inscription for the 18K red gold model, while the stainless steel version is inscribed with “ONE OF 1000”.
The new Breitling Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition is available in a limited edition of 200 pieces for the 18K red gold model on brown strap and in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces for the stainless steel model, which is available on strap —with or without deployant clasp— or on stainless steel bracelet.
Sticker Price $10,500 USD stainless steel on bracelet, $10,200 USD stainless steel on leather with folding clasp, $9,950 USD stainless steel on leather with tang buckle and $28,000 USD for 18K red gold. For more info on Breitling click here.
