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In 2020, Breitling revived its Prime Time assortment. Since then, we’ve seen many two- and three-register chronographs with playful and colourful dials. Lots of these watches have been a part of a collaboration with Deus, Ford, or Triumph, for instance. In a way, Breitling’s Prime Time assortment is like its Sizzling Wheels division. Right this moment, the Grenchen-based model is introducing three non-chronograph fashions that carry the Prime Time title. Powering them is the automated B31, a brand new three-hand motion that’s unique to Breitling.
This transfer to three-hand variations of what was once chronographs appears to be a recurring theme at Breitling. Watches just like the Chronomat and the Navitimer have already undergone the identical course of. This permits the model to switch the beloved aesthetics to smaller circumstances and introduce them with cleaner dials. Let’s see how the designers did that within the case of the brand new Breitling Prime Time B31.
The brand new Breitling Prime Time B31
Because the reintroduction of the Breitling Prime Time in 2020, most watches have featured a case with a 41mm diameter. The brand new three-hand Prime Time B31 has a 38mm case manufactured from brushed and polished chrome steel. The form, together with the tapered lugs, is identical because the chronograph variations of Prime Time. This time, although, there aren’t any pushers on the precise aspect, in fact. With a shrunken diameter additionally comes a slimmer 10.3mm thickness, in comparison with the 13.3mm profile of the automated chronographs. Lastly, the case affords a forty five.8mm lug-to-lug span, a 4.5mm discount from the chronograph variations.
The brand new Breitling Prime Time B31 comes with the client’s alternative of a stainless-steel bracelet or an identical perforated leather-based strap with a pin buckle. The bracelet has a three-row building with brushed hyperlinks on the skin, and its polished middle hyperlinks have Breitling’s signature asymmetrical form. Inside the folding clasp is a lever-operated micro-adjustment system. Because of this, it’s simple to barely modify the scale of the bracelet with none instruments.
Three colorways
As talked about, the distinctive function of Breitling’s trendy Prime Time assortment is its extra playful and multicolor design. This theme continues within the three-hand variations of the Prime Time with the usage of totally different colours on the dials and arms. To begin, you possibly can select between three dials. One has a barely textured white floor and a lightweight blue ring with five-minute markings on the perimeter. The second choice has a vertically brushed blue base mixed with a white ring. Lastly, there’s a vertically brushed inexperienced dial paired with a black ring. Regardless of the dial colour, all variations function a central seconds hand with an orange paint job extending from the tip to the round mounting level.
The utilized hour markers resemble the design of the arms, and all these parts embrace dose of Tremendous-LumiNova. Under the double index at 12 is an utilized golden Breitling emblem, and at 3 o’clock, yow will discover the date window with a rounded rectangular magnifier above it.
The brand new and unique B31 automated motion
To the precise of the date window is a signed push-pull crown, which lets you function the brand new Breitling B31 automated motion. The event of this caliber took 4 years. For the manufacturing of elements, Breitling depends on its community of trusted suppliers. The meeting of the B31 actions takes place each on the Breitling manufacture and at a devoted line at AMT, the technological arm of Sellita, in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
The motion contains a free-sprung steadiness wheel, a skeletonized rotor, Côtes de Genève on the bridges, and perlage on the mainplate. All that is seen by means of the exhibition case again. The brand new three-hand motion runs at a frequency of 28,800vph, options 26 jewels, and holds a snug energy reserve of 78 hours. Like all mechanical Breitling motion, the B31 receives a COSC chronometer certification. This implies it runs between -4 and +6 seconds a day.
As well as, the actions endure rigorous testing that Breitling says is equal to 16 years of use. This contains 100,000 crown winds, 3,456,000 weight turns, and 60,000 shocks at 500 g. Lastly, the brand new Prime Time B31 is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Impressions
I’ve at all times preferred the Prime Time chronographs with their playful, colourful designs, however they’re a bit too massive for my style. The 38mm dimension of the Prime Time B31 is nice for individuals with barely smaller wrists, like me. With the sub-46mm lug-to-lug, the brand new Prime Time three-hander feels nice on my 17cm wrist. The cleaner dials are certainly harking back to the chronograph variations, however with the absence of sub-dials, there’s just a bit much less room to play with colours. I’m curious to see which different variations will come out sooner or later, maybe in collaboration with Deus, Triumph, or Ford.
The brand new Breitling Prime Time B31 prices €5,500 on a perforated leather-based strap. On the chrome steel bracelet, the watches price €5,800. That looks like a logical value subsequent to the chrome steel chronograph variations of the Prime Time, which promote for €7,800 on straps.
Let me know within the feedback beneath what you consider the brand new Breitling Prime Time B31 in inexperienced, blue, and white!
