The winds are shifting, the leaves are turning yellow, and hordes of fans are loading up their SUVs with coolers, cornhole equipment, and mini grills. That can only mean one thing: it’s football season. The NFL is back, and it’s time to root for your favorite team. Breitling is here to help with that with the new Chronomat NFL Collection. And the best news is, there’s a version for every team.
“We’re in the air, we’re on the ground, we’re in the lead. Miami means the Super Bowl!” I warm my voice to the Dolphins’ song every Sunday morning, and if I’m lucky, I might belt out “Gridiron Heroes” by my second team, the Detroit Lions. It’s a ritual that millions follow come September, and then Monday morning I quarterback in the office. Today, I’m excited to tell you about a new limited edition collection from Breitling that adds fuel to the fire. It’s the Chronomat NFL Collection, and dare I say it, it’s awesome!
Breitling Chronomat NFL Collection
The new Breitling Chronomat NFL collection honors each of the 32 teams with a unique dial, hands, and logo combination. That’s right, Breitling is releasing 32 bespoke models. Unlike other brands that do sports collaborations, this collection isn’t just focused on the big-market franchises. The watches are based on the steel Chronomat 42 and come with a stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap. In celebration of the NFL’s 104th anniversary, 104 pieces of each will be made, but unfortunately, they will only be sold in the United States. While the latter detail makes sense, it’s a shame, as the NFL is hugely popular in the UK and is increasingly broadcast in mainland Europe as well.
detail
I don’t usually like sports or automotive collaborations with watchmakers because they often feel cheesy or, especially with cars, weird unless you own the car. But with the NFL, everyone can be a fan. Still, is there a way to make a classy and fun sports collaboration watch? I think the new Chronomat NFL collection does that better than any I’ve seen before. Plus, the Chronomat is the perfect platform because it’s a little flashy, but also very functional. Design-wise, each watch features the team’s primary color. For the Lions, it’s Honolulu Blue with silver sub-registers and blue details. My Dolphins use a rich aqua with a hint of coral. The Bills… well, who cares? Whatever team you choose, the colors will pair well with the polished steel bezel, applied indexes, and bracelet.
The team logo is placed on the left running seconds sub-register. It stands out, but is subtle enough not to dominate the dial. This finish is similar to the Omega Speedmaster Mission Patch model. Who will buy these watches? Players will bet on it right away. Avid fans will also be interested, as the Chronomat’s sporty look will go well with gameday gear and weekday office wear. Let’s not forget that these watches are water resistant to 200 meters and are powered by Breitling’s Caliber 01 automatic chronograph movement. The chronometer certification helps keep referees honest about delays of play calls. At $9,200 for the bracelet and $8,800 for the rubber strap, they’re not cheap, but check out the prices for season tickets to your favorite team. The watches are available at Breitling boutiques in the U.S. and online.
Chronomat NFL Watch
With 32 options in the Chronomat NFL Collection, there are a lot of watches to consider. Not surprisingly, teams with bold or less commonly seen colors on their watch dials stand out from the crowd. It goes without saying, but I would always buy this watch on a bracelet, even if it meant paying the extra $400. Finally, the watch is currently available in Breitling boutiques in the U.S. and online. Let’s go through it by category.
AFC East
The AFC East is made up of the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets. I love the Dolphins colorway because it’s different from traditional watch colors and looks great. It would be great to see head coach Mike McDaniel (who wears the famous rose gold Breitling Navitimer 1952 Quantieme Perpetual) wearing it. Another highlight of the division, and I hate to say it, is the Jets model with its vibrant green dial.
AFC South
This includes the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans. The Colts are a historic team that originally played in Baltimore. When you think of the Colts, you think of Johnny Unitas and his high-top shoes, which are a classic color scheme. The Jaguars also deserve an honorable mention with their blue-green dial.
AFC West
The AFC West Chronomat NFL models are packed with great designs. The Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers offer great options. Raiders fans will go crazy for their watches, and you might even see Darth Raider wearing one in the end zone. They’re all great, but I love the Chargers’ color combination.
AFC North Division
The AFC North is said to be the fiercest rivalry in sports. The Browns and Steelers have always hated each other, and now the Ravens, erstwhile Browns, have joined the fray. The Bengals have not historically been the best team, but they have been competitive lately. Steelers fans will happily wave this watch around at games along with their “bad towels,” and Brownies fans will bring the watch to the Dog Pound.
NFC East
When it comes to hatred within the NFL, the NFC East has plenty of it. The Dallas Cowboys, New York Football Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders get nasty in their matches. These clubs have plenty of titles to their name, and while Washington hasn’t been doing well in years, inter-division matches are full of pre-game excitement. Here, Philadelphia wins the clock game with a dark green dial. I’d happily wear this watch while eating a Jim’s Steaks cheesesteak on South Street.
NFC South
The NFC South may not be a powerhouse division, but the fans are just as passionate, enjoy great weather and great tailgating. The Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers take to the gridiron every Sunday. Here, the Panthers’ dial looks fresh with blue highlights, a perfect color for the Carolina sun.
NFC West
Ah, the NFC West. Or for us East Coasters, the teams that play late. The Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are bringing a true West Coast offense to the field. It’s hard to bet against San Francisco and its history of great QBs, but I do like the pop of green on navy that Seattle offers.
NFC North
Last but not least, the NFC North will weather the cold, dreary winter with one of the best color combinations in the division. The “Rust Belt” is known for its competitive football, but domed stadiums have negated some teams’ winter advantage. The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings will battle it out for division supremacy. As mentioned above, we love the Honolulu Blue on the Lions’ dial, but the Purple People Eaters version is appealing as well.
lastly
I really love the Chronomat NFL collection. They are well thought out and each one has a unique dial and hands, making them interesting for fans. Like I said before, they are not too flashy and cheesy. Let us see how these are received as the NFL approaches opening weekend of the new season. Let me know what you think of your team’s watch in the comments section below.
