A watch with an in-house chronograph movement is something quite special. Even many well-established brands do not offer their own factory-built movement with a stopwatch function. One notable exception is Patek Philippe, which developed one for its collection only recently. It’s no wonder such movements are so rare: a chronograph is a huge complication whose implementation requires enormous care and attention. The existence of cheaper chronographs is explained by the wide distribution of simpler movements that have been built for decades, like the Valjoux 7750 from ETA.
For the longest time sports-watch brands like IWC and Breitling didn’t produce their own chronograph movements, either. But things have recently changed at these two companies: at the 2009 Baselworld watch fair, Breitling introduced its long anticipated in-house movement, the B01, and the first and only watch model to contain this movement, fittingly named the Chronomat B01. IWC presented its Big Ingenieur Chronograph at Geneva’s SIHH watch fair in early 2009, with an in-house movement that debuted in 2007 in the company’s Da Vinci chronograph. (Click on watch photos for wallpaper images.)
The Chronomat B01 faithfully follows the Breitling pilot-watch tradition. Its contemporary design includes functional details like a rotating bezel as well as other design elements that are purely decorative. An extreme attention to detail is evident on the dial, whose central element is a square with its edges defined by the center points of the three subdials. The ridged patterns in the subdials change according to which half falls within this square area: outside the square, the pattern is radiating circles; inside, it is vertical ridges. The hour-counter subdial at 6 o’clock is divided into quarters. The hands on the subdials incorporate the square shape, and the quarter-hour markers on the bezel are also square. Even the angular typography of the numerals on the subdials and bezel (with its square “zero”) reinforce this bold style. The three different numeral fonts add interest, but in this case, more restraint would have made a stronger overall statement, and the font style of the numerals on the bezel takes some getting used to. Generally speaking, though, we liked the design of the Chronomat B01 very much.
The IWC watch makes an even sturdier overall impression due to its larger diameter. All the numerals are executed in the same type found on other Ingenieur models. The standout features of the Big Ingenieur Chronograph’s dial are the subdials located at the top and bottom, with a silver ridged structure that sets them off from the rest of the black main dial. A geometric pattern fills the inner section of the dial. Luminous coating is applied deep within the grooves of the silver-colored markers, whose shape reflects the elongated hour and minute hands. The Ingenieur case has rectangular pushers that are neatly integrated with the crown guard and bezel.
The Chronomat B01 faithfully follows the Breitling pilot-watch tradition. Its contemporary design includes functional details like a rotating bezel as well as other design elements that are purely decorative. An extreme attention to detail is evident on the dial, whose central element is a square with its edges defined by the center points of the three subdials. The ridged patterns in the subdials change according to which half falls within this square area: outside the square, the pattern is radiating circles; inside, it is vertical ridges. The hour-counter subdial at 6 o’clock is divided into quarters. The hands on the subdials incorporate the square shape, and the quarter-hour markers on the bezel are also square. Even the angular typography of the numerals on the subdials and bezel (with its square “zero”) reinforce this bold style. The three different numeral fonts add interest, but in this case, more restraint would have made a stronger overall statement, and the font style of the numerals on the bezel takes some getting used to. Generally speaking, though, we liked the design of the Chronomat B01 very much.
The IWC watch makes an even sturdier overall impression due to its larger diameter. All the numerals are executed in the same type found on other Ingenieur models. The standout features of the Big Ingenieur Chronograph’s dial are the subdials located at the top and bottom, with a silver ridged structure that sets them off from the rest of the black main dial. A geometric pattern fills the inner section of the dial. Luminous coating is applied deep within the grooves of the silver-colored markers, whose shape reflects the elongated hour and minute hands. The Ingenieur case has rectangular pushers that are neatly integrated with the crown guard and bezel.
Breitling’s watch also includes both of these useful features. In contrast to the Valjoux 7750, these two manufacture movements allow the date to be changed right before 12 o’clock without running the risk of damaging the movement. The fluted crown on the Chronomat is easy to grasp and turn, and the pushers are also screwed. Although this makes using the chronograph function somewhat more awkward, it does provide greater protection for the pushers and increases the water-resistance of the watch to 500 meters. Unfortunately, you’ll have to press the button rather firmly to start the chronograph, due to the design of the chronograph levers. The Chronomat’s unidirectional rotating bezel has 240 ratchets and turns smoothly but should be easier to grasp.
Interestingly, the dimensions of the two movements vary only slightly. Each has an impressively long power reserve of more than three days. Plus, both movements are equipped with a bidirectional winding system and have an elegant column-wheel mechanism. But if you examine the movements (and you’ll have to remove the caseback from the Breitling to do this) the differences are immediately clear. While IWC uses the same automatic shock-protection rotor bridge as in its Ingenieur movement 80111, the Breitling appears somewhat more conventional. Breitling wins points with a patented self-centering system for the zero position resetting hammers, a calendar with an instantly advancing date, and especially for the modern vertical clutch that prevents the chronograph seconds hand from jumping when it starts. Breitling added a shock-absorbing escape wheel to make the watch more resistant to impacts. Another bonus: the movement includes an index-assembly that allows the wearer to quickly and easily adjust the watch’s rate to his or her preferred speed. Breitling also produces its mainplates and bridges in-house, and sets its own jewels as well.
For the 89360 caliber, IWC developed a new double-pawl winding system based on its standard Pellaton winding system. With two double-pawl winders, it doubles the number of pawls that push and pull to wind the mainspring. They are no longer controlled with a cam but by a crank similar to the type used in automobiles. The pawls are arranged to apply winding torque even at the slightest motion of the rotor. This winding system is said to be 30 percent more efficient than its predecessor, making it possible to reduce the weight of the rotor and thereby reduce wear. The movement features a free-sprung oscillating system, a sign of high quality. Plus, the flyback function in the Big Ingenieur Chronograph (not featured in the name of the model, as is usually the case) requires a great deal of time and effort in the design stage. The minute counter does not jump, but advances slowly. Unfortunately, the date disk moves slowly, too, and begins visibly advancing at 11 o’clock.
The two movements are similar in their degree of decoration, with various finishes, perlage on the mainplate and polished screw heads. The cutouts on the IWC rotor provide a nice view of the movement, but few edges show beveling or polishing. Like the Valjoux 7750, IWC’s movement uses a rocking pinion for its chronograph clutch. This solution was developed in order to simplify the chronograph but has proven to be essential. The axis of the pinion is moved only on one side and causes the wheels to engage. IWC has created a special shape for the 240 teeth on the chrono-runner in order to minimize jumping of the chronograph seconds hand. Both watches contain stamped and polished levers, which remind us of those on the Valjoux 7750. Machined levers would have been better choices. Both movements therefore show a mixed bag of features, combining high-quality components with parts one usually finds in lower-grade movements.
This combination of different grade components has no negative effect on the rate results at all. Both watches have highly accurate rate results, which one would certainly expect from Breitling with its chronometer certification. The B01, like every Breitling movement, is submitted to COSC, the Swiss regulating authority that issues the certificates, which subjects eeach movement to 15 days of rigorous testing, and each one must conform to the agency’s strict standards. In our test watch the B01 caliber met these standards, with a beat error of no more than five seconds per day between each position and an average deviation of only +0.2 seconds. IWC Caliber 89360 kept up the pace, with an average deviation of +1.3 seconds with the greatest difference only three seconds. Plus, the IWC shows almost these same results when the chronograph is running.
Even though the watches run neck and neck in nearly all respects, there is a huge disparity in their prices: The price of the Chronomat B01 is less than half that of the Big Ingenieur Chronograph. Even when both watches are equipped with a similar strap or bracelet, the IWC still costs more than twice as much as the Breitling. Prospective buyers for whom price is not an issue can decide solely in favor of the design that best suits their personal style.
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