{"product_id":"case-647-breitling-chronomat-blackbird-ref-a13050-1-b312","title":"Case #647 — Breitling Chronomat Blackbird “Série Spéciale”","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCase #647 — Breitling Chronomat Blackbird “Série Spéciale”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStatus:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Available\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Very Good Pre-Owned\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScope:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Box, Manual, and Partial Paperwork\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🔎 Case Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blackbird is what happens when Breitling takes one of its most extroverted watches and deliberately turns the volume down.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe standard Chronomat of this era was defined by polished steel, bright reflections, and unmistakable wrist presence. The Blackbird went the other direction: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebrushed case, brushed crown and pushers, brushed Pilot bracelet, black dial, and black chronograph registers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The result is still recognizably Chronomat, but with a much more purposeful, almost military character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat brushed treatment is the defining feature of this watch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead of catching light from every angle, the satin-finished steel gives the case and bracelet a muted, technical appearance that suits the Blackbird name perfectly. It feels less decorative, more instrument-like, and considerably more understated than the standard A13050.1.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example dates by serial number to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1998\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and presents in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003every good pre-owned condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It underwent a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efull Breitling service in January 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and remains covered by the applicable Breitling repair warranty according to the service documentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe watch includes its \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebox, manual, and some original paperwork\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, though the original warranty card is not present. It is fitted to the brushed Breitling Pilot bracelet and currently sized for approximately a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7½-inch wrist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🕰️ The Evidence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReference:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e A13050.1 \/ B312\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Chronomat Blackbird “Série Spéciale”\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1998, Dated by Serial Number\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCase:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Stainless Steel, Brushed Finish\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCase Diameter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 39–40 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Black with Black Chronograph Registers\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sapphire\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBezel:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unidirectional Rotating Stainless Steel\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrown:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Screw-Down\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMovement:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Breitling Calibre 13\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMovement Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Automatic Chronograph\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBase Architecture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Valjoux 7750\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePower Reserve:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 42 Hours\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds, Chronograph, Date, Tachymeter\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Resistance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 100 meters\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBracelet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Brushed Breitling Pilot Bracelet\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBracelet Fit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 7½-inch wrist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Very Good Pre-Owned\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eService:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full Breitling Service — January 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eService Warranty:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Remaining Breitling Repair Warranty, Subject to Service Documentation and Terms\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Box, Manual, and Partial Paperwork\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWarranty Card:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Not Present\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌟 Collector Provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blackbird occupies a particularly interesting place in Breitling’s Chronomat history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntroduced in the mid-1990s, the original Blackbird was not a completely separate model architecture. Instead, Breitling took the existing Chronomat platform and reworked its character through finishing and dial design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe most important change was the finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhere the standard Chronomat embraced highly polished steel, the Blackbird used an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eall-brushed treatment across the case, crown, pushers, and bracelet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Combined with black sub-dials on a black dial, it created a watch that felt deliberately subdued compared with its siblings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat concept was closely tied to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLockheed SR-71 Blackbird\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the legendary high-speed reconnaissance aircraft whose dark, purposeful form matched the watch’s “under-the-radar” aesthetic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe early A13050.1 Blackbird was designated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Série Spéciale”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on the dial. It was a special edition rather than a numbered limited production, which is an important distinction: uncommon and historically specific, yes; falsely “one of X pieces,” no.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌟 Design Provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe brushed steel is what makes this watch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA polished Chronomat reads immediately as a luxury sports chronograph. The Blackbird feels more functional.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe satin finish reduces reflections, gives the rider-tab bezel more definition, and makes the bracelet look almost industrial. On the wrist, the alternating shapes of the Pilot links still provide plenty of architecture, but without the mirror-polished flash normally associated with Breitling of this period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat makes the Blackbird unusually wearable for collectors who love 1990s Breitling but prefer something less overt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe black-on-black register layout reinforces the same idea. The dial remains busy in the way a proper chronograph should, but the monochromatic palette keeps the information visually contained.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌟 Historical Provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original Blackbird predates the later standalone Blackbird references that would eventually receive their own model numbers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat makes examples like this part of the first chapter of the name.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLater Blackbirds became more overtly distinct, but the A13050.1 generation is arguably the purest expression of the concept: take an existing Chronomat and transform its personality almost entirely through finishing, color, and restraint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors interested in neo-vintage Breitling, that transitional status matters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🧾 From the Case File\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a watch whose appeal becomes much clearer in person than on a spec sheet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt roughly 40 mm, it is compact by modern Breitling standards. The Pilot bracelet gives it presence, but the brushed finish keeps the package from feeling flashy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen there is the service history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efull Breitling service completed in January 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a major advantage on a late-1990s automatic chronograph. The Valjoux-based Calibre 13 is a robust and well-understood movement, but proper maintenance matters, and having recent factory work already completed substantially reduces one of the largest variables in buying a neo-vintage chronograph.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example also retains its box, manual, and some paperwork. The original warranty card is absent, and we describe the set accordingly rather than overstating completeness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🗝️ BST Verdict\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the coolest sleeper watches in 1990s Breitling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe early Blackbird takes everything recognizable about the Chronomat and gives it a stealth treatment: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebrushed steel, black-on-black dial, Pilot bracelet, and a noticeably more purposeful personality\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is not a numbered limited edition, but it is genuinely less common than the standard Chronomat and historically important as the first generation of Breitling’s Blackbird line.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJanuary 2026 full Breitling service\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, strong condition, and the correct brushed Pilot bracelet, and Case 647 becomes exactly the sort of neo-vintage piece that feels more interesting today than it probably did when new.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e👉 Every case deserves a closer look.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Baker Street Timepieces","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58436491510063,"sku":null,"price":2450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0948\/5359\/5439\/files\/BST_6309.jpg?v=1788738251","url":"https:\/\/bakerstreettimepieces.com\/products\/case-647-breitling-chronomat-blackbird-ref-a13050-1-b312","provider":"Baker Street Timepieces","version":"1.0","type":"link"}