Breitling Chronomat B13048 Blue Leather 1998

The Breitling Chronomat ref. B13048 belongs to the generation that consolidated the Chronomat's reputation as the serious pilot's chronograph of the late quartz era's aftermath — a watch that Breitling rebuilt its identity around after the 1980s revival. The 39mm two-tone gold and steel case houses an automatic movement with column-wheel chronograph architecture, date, and quick-set — the column wheel being the more mechanically refined switching mechanism, offering a lighter, more precise pusher action than a cam-actuated alternative. Sapphire crystal protects the dial, and the bidirectional rider-tab bezel, here in gold and steel, remains the Chronomat's most recognizable design signature.

The blue dial is the configuration collectors seek in this reference. Against the more common black or white examples, the blue interacts with the two-tone case in a way that neither monochrome metal nor a single-color dial achieves on its own — the gold indices pull warmth from the dial that shifts perceptibly as the light changes. Presented on its original leather strap with Breitling buckle, this is the Chronomat as a wrist piece rather than a bracelet watch, which suits the 39mm diameter well. The warranty card dates this example to 1998, placing it squarely in the reference's prime production window.

In very good condition throughout, offered as watch only.