Name: Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 AB0118221G1P1
Brand: Breitling
SKU: AB0118221G1P1

The Premier B01 Chronograph 42 is Breitling's argument that it can build a proper dress chronograph without leaning on aviation heritage. It carries the in-house Caliber B01 , column-wheel, vertical clutch, COSC-certified , in a slimmer, more classical case that suits a suit. For collectors who want genuine manufacture movement quality at a price well below Swiss marque premiums, this reference makes a credible case.

What it is

Breitling introduced the Premier line in 2018 as part of the Georges Kern era reset, reviving the Premier name from the brand's 1940s dress watch catalog. The 42mm AB0118221G1P1 references blue sunray dials and lancet hands drawn from those postwar originals. The Caliber B01 debuted in 2009 and by 2018 was well-established: 70-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph, column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch for smooth engagement.

Breitling has offered the Premier B01 42 in steel, two-tone, and gold across several dial variants including blue, black, and green. The steel blue reference has sold consistently since launch with no significant case or movement revision through 2025.

Buying notes

Inspect the pushers carefully on pre-owned examples: the Premier's pushers are slimmer than Breitling's sport references and see more wear if the watch was used as a daily driver. Dial condition matters more than usual here because the sunray finish shows scratches and cleaning attempts under any direct light. Confirm the bracelet or strap is original to the reference, as Breitling offered this in several lug configurations and aftermarket straps are common.

Ask for the timing certificate or any service records; a COSC movement that has drifted outside spec without servicing is a flag, not a deal-breaker, but price accordingly. Water resistance is rated 100m, but the dressy gaskets and pushers should be pressure-tested before any pool or sea exposure.

Market read

New retail sits around $8,200 to $9,000 USD for the steel blue reference depending on region and authorized dealer relationship. Pre-owned trades in the $5,500 to $7,000 range with full set in good condition; unworn examples with stickers occasionally push toward $7,500 but rarely hold a premium long. The Premier does not command the Navitimer's collector following, which keeps buy-in accessible but also means resale is slow if you need to exit.

Green dial variants have seen a modest uplift in line with the broader market enthusiasm for green dials, but it is market-driven sentiment, not scarcity.

Service expectations

The Caliber B01 is a full manufacture movement and Breitling recommends service every five years. Authorized service runs approximately $600 to $900 USD for a full overhaul including chronograph service; independent watchmakers familiar with column-wheel chronographs can often do equivalent work for less. Parts availability is good given the movement's age and volume, and the B01 has a solid reputation for holding adjustment well between services.

Editorial copy is AI-drafted from primary sources and reviewed by Grail Atlas before publication. Where the text is uncertain about a fact, it says so. Email corrections@grailatlas.com if something reads wrong. Signals on this page (community, OSINT) are clearly separated from the editorial sections.

Mass-produced#1 in familyOfficial press photos

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Movement tier: unclassified · caliber Breitling Cal. 01: in-house automatic chronograph, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 47j; column-wheel, vertical clutch; COSC-certified; used in Navitimer, Chronomat, Premier · 70h power reserve (2.9 days) · see-through caseback

Also uses Breitling Cal. 01

Medium-large: suits wrists 6.5 in+ (16.5 cm+)

42 mm case. Wears confidently on average to larger wrists. May overhang on slender builds.

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Authentication

Verify B01 designation on both the dial and caseback; the Premier case houses the same manufacture movement as the Navitimer.

Known issues in the market

The Cal. 01 column-wheel movement is identical to the Navitimer B01; caseback inspection is required to confirm.
The Premier line targets the formal market; alligator straps are a service item and condition affects value significantly.

Area	What to check	What is correct	Red flag
caseback	Cal. 01 column-wheel architecture	Column wheel visible through exhibition caseback, Breitling manufacture signing present	ETA Valjoux 7750 cam layout with no column wheel; indicates movement swap
dial	B01 designation text	B01 printed clearly on the dial with consistent Breitling font weight	Missing B01 text or inconsistent printing compared to surrounding dial text
case	Premier case finishing	Alternating polished and brushed surfaces consistent with the Premier line; lug tips polished, sides brushed	Uniform finish across all surfaces indicating refinishing that eliminates the original case geometry

Common legitimate replacements

Alligator straps on used Premier examples are frequently replaced; verify the replacement strap does not have incorrect lug width.
Cal. 01 service should be performed by authorized service centers; the column-wheel architecture requires specialist tooling.

Expert resources: Breitling Premier documentation at breitling.com. WatchUSeek Breitling subforum for Cal. 01 Premier case identification.

Authentication guide

Last reviewed June 2026

The Premier B01 Chronograph 42 pairs Breitling's in-house Cal. B01 column-wheel chronograph with a vintage-inspired rounded case. The B01 is the authentication centerpiece: a column-wheel vertical-clutch movement with COSC certification, and its specific bridge layout through the caseback distinguishes it immediately from ETA 7750-based alternatives.

Known reproduction risks

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HIGH RISK

Chinese factory replicas with ETA 7750 movements and printed dial registers, misrepresented as Cal. B01 examples. The Premier name and dress character are targets for this type of substitution.

Pusher actuation feel that is spongy compared to the column-wheel click of a genuine B01
ETA 7750 bridge geometry visible through the exhibition caseback
Running seconds at 6 rather than at 9 -- a 7750-based layout often places this sub-dial differently
Register scale printing with blurring or inconsistent line weight under loupe

The caseback is the definitive tell. The 7750 bridge layout is unmistakable to anyone who has seen both movements. Ask any authorized Breitling dealer to confirm the movement through the exhibition glass.

MEDIUM

Earlier Premier generations with ETA-based movements presented as the B01 in-house version, which commands a meaningful price premium.

Movement through the caseback with non-B01 bridge geometry
Dial without "CHRONOMETER" text on a stated COSC-certified B01 example
Production era inconsistencies: the Premier B01 with in-house movement launched in 2018

Dial variants by era

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Era	Description	Identifiers
Premier B01 current production (2018 to present)	Rounded 42mm case with stepped bezel, three-register chronograph dial, date at 4:30, Cal. B01 in-house movement.	"PREMIER" text on the dial below the brand name "CHRONOGRAPH" text on the dial "CHRONOMETER" text or equivalent on the dial confirming COSC certification Three sub-dials: 30-minute register at 3, running seconds at 9, 12-hour register at 6 Date window at 4:30, positioned between the sub-dials -- specific to the Premier three-register layout Breitling "B" logo at 12 on the dial Rounded pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock Vintage-inspired rounded case profile, softer than the Navitimer or Chronomat geometry

Service part flags

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Cal. B01 chronograph mechanism

Original: Cal. B01 is Breitling's in-house column-wheel chronograph with vertical clutch. The column-wheel actuation produces a precise, consistent click feel at the start/stop pusher. A cam-lever chronograph (such as the ETA 7750 base) has a different, less positive feel. The B01 beats at 28,800bph with a 70-hour power reserve.

Replacement tells

Pusher actuation with spongy or inconsistent feel -- Cal. B01 column-wheel produces a definite, positive click
Caseback exhibition showing ETA 7750 bridge geometry -- the 7750 has a distinctive vertical bridge layout that differs clearly from the B01's horizontal format
Rotor without Breitling branding
"Cal. B01" text on the dial but movement visible through the caseback inconsistent with B01 bridge geometry

Exhibition caseback

Original: The Premier B01 has a sapphire exhibition caseback. Through it, the Cal. B01 movement should show: Breitling-signed rotor, Cotes de Geneve decoration on the bridges, and the horizontal-format movement architecture specific to the B01. The column wheel may be visible from certain angles.

Replacement tells

Solid caseback on a stated Premier B01 -- the exhibition back is standard on this reference
Movement visible through the caseback with 7750-style vertical bridge layout
Cotes de Geneve decoration absent or inconsistent in quality on the movement bridges
Exhibition glass with visible distortion near the edges, indicating mineral rather than sapphire

Sub-dial registers

Original: Three registers with finely printed scales and delicate centrally-pivoted hands. The Premier is a dress-adjacent chronograph; the register hands are thin and the scales are refined, consistent with the dress character of the case.

Replacement tells

Register hands with uneven thickness or crude proportions relative to the main time hands
Register scales with bleeding or inconsistent line weight under loupe
Running seconds at 6 rather than at 9 -- the Premier B01 layout places running seconds at 9

Case profile

Original: The Premier case is the softest and most rounded in the Breitling lineup. The lugs are downward-curving and the bezel has a stepped profile. This is deliberately distinct from the Navitimer's angular lugs or the Chronomat's rider-tab bezel.

Replacement tells

Angular or flat lugs on a stated Premier -- the Premier has distinctly curved, downward-sweeping lugs
Bezel without the stepped profile specific to the Premier design family
Case proportions that are closer to the Navitimer or Chronomat geometry

Case back markings

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2018 to present

Exhibition caseback displaying Cal. B01
"Breitling" and "Swiss Made" on the movement plate visible through the caseback
COSC chronometer text on the caseback surround
Reference AB0118 (or full reference string) on the case band
Serial number on the case band between the lugs
Water resistance rating: 3 ATM / 30M -- the Premier is not a sport watch

Movement tells

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Cal. B01 is COSC-certified at -4/+6 seconds per day. A significant deviation warrants service inspection.
The 70-hour power reserve is testable. A fully wound Premier B01 that stops before 60 hours warrants service.
Column-wheel chronograph actuation: engage the chronograph repeatedly and observe the feel. A consistent, positive click with no variation between engagements indicates correct column-wheel function. Variation indicates wear.
Cal. B01 does not have a flyback function. Pressing reset while the chronograph is running will stop then reset in two operations. A flyback reset (immediate restart) indicates a movement swap or modification.
Amplitude should exceed 260 degrees in the dial-up position on a timegrapher with the chronograph disengaged. Significant amplitude drop when the chronograph is engaged indicates worn clutch components.

Sources: Breitling -- Premier B01 Chronograph 42 and Cal. B01 specification; WatchUSeek -- Breitling chronograph authentication forum; TimeZone.com -- Cal. B01 movement identification and verification guide.