While legendary Bentley Boy Woolf Barnato might have raced with a slim Cartier or Patek on his wrist, should the latest models from Breitling for Bentley have been available he would, I am sure, have relied on the precision timing of one of the company’s new COSC-certified chronometers.

The ‘Bentley Barnato’ is the latest hunky model in the exclusive line-up of Breitling for Bentley watches, details of which have just been released at this year’s Baselworld watch fair.

Three sub-dials show elapsed hours, minutes and seconds, while its central, sweeping second hand runs at double normal speed – one revolution equals thirty, rather than sixty seconds.

This novel layout – lending its name to the watch as a ‘30-second chronograph’ – provides readings of measured times accurate to within 1/8th of a second.

The ‘Bentley Barnato Racing’ special series is identical; however, instead of the usual pointed markers on the sub-dial, the master watchmakers at Breitling have incorporated rotating, three-spoke ‘steering wheels’ which can be read off against a red triangle on the dial.

In both versions the clear, sapphire crystal caseback reveals an automatic winding rotor fashioned in the form of the latest Continental GT’s alloy wheel design.

Both models are available with silver or black faces, in stainless steel or rose gold (500 pieces of each only), and come complete with a choice of crocodile, leather, rubber or solid-metal ‘Speed’ straps.

For further information, see www.breitling.com.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Breitling