A Winning Partnership: Breitling and Giannis Antetokounmpo Unite for Limited-Edition Watches
In an exhilarating collaboration with NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Breitling secures a double victory: a limited-edition release and new versions of the Chronomat B01 42 collection.
Teaming up with pro basketball icon Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Swiss luxury watchmaker introduces the co-designed Chronomat Giannis Antetokounmpo, a set of exclusive timepieces embodying the athlete’s relentless energy and inspiring journey from the street courts of Athens to NBA stardom.
“Giannis has an incredible personal style and sense of self that we knew we had to capture in a timepiece,” says Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. “And so, our longstanding ambassador became a collaborator who not only brought his aesthetic to the project, but also his indomitable spirit.”
The Chronomat Giannis Antetokounmpo reflects that spirit with designs as bold and impactful as the 6’11” Milwaukee Bucks power forward himself. His signature watches come in two variations: a 40-mm steel Chronomat GMT and a 42-mm gold Chronomat B01 chronograph.
Antetokounmpo’s personality is evident in the details, from the “GA” initials on the central hand and the basketball emblem cleverly integrated into the chronograph counter, to the dial’s shade reminiscent of his team’s green, solidified by their championship win. Both watches are limited editions—1,750 for the GMT and 250 for the chronograph.
Other standout features include Antetokounmpo’s signature on the GMT caseback, while the chronograph (available with a choice of green rubber Rouleaux strap or 18k red gold bracelet) reveals the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 movement and its golden rotor through an exhibition caseback. All pieces come in special-edition Giannis Antetokounmpo packaging, accompanied by a note from the “Greek Freak” himself.
“There’s a video of the moment I first unboxed the chronograph,” says Antetokounmpo. “My face says it all; I was blown away to see it come to life. I’m grateful to Breitling for the chance to co-design these watches and grateful to everyone who takes one home. My heart went into them.”
Special Edition: The One of One
In a tribute fit for a court king, Breitling has created an exclusive “One of One” piece of the Chronomat B01 just for Antetokounmpo. This unique model features golden numerals in Arabic, a white inner bezel, and white contrasting chronograph counters against a green dial—colors that honor his team and celebrate his exceptional rise from a stateless youth in Greece to an NBA icon, as depicted in the 2022 film “Rise” and the 2024 documentary “The Marvelous Journey”. While you might only catch a glimpse of this custom piece courtside, you can find pictures in this release.
Elevating the Classic: Chronomat B01 42
Alongside the launch of the Giannis Antetokounmpo signature editions, Breitling’s core Chronomat B01 42 lineup is also getting an upgrade with a series of new executions.
Introducing the Rouleaux-inspired rubber strap—a first for the Chronomat B01 range. This popular strap style offers wearability, water resistance, and a sleek look, providing a sporty alternative to the classic metal Rouleaux bracelet, which now features an ultra-comfortable butterfly folding clasp.
The Chronomat B01’s palette expands with a new green colorway, a vibrant shade enhancing the collection’s stainless steel, two-tone, and 18k red gold variations.
For those who appreciate the featherlight feel of titanium, Breitling is adding a Chronomat B01 42 and Super Chronomat B01 44 in this lightweight yet strong metal, enhancing the wearer’s experience without compromising the Chronomat’s hallmark robustness.
All classic features defining the Chronomat remain intact. The emblematic “onion” crown, nodding to the line’s aeronautical roots, offers easy grip with vintage flair. Signature rider tabs still punctuate the bezel, allowing wearers to swap between the 15- and 45-minute markers for countdowns or count-ups.
Breitling’s Chronomat has always been a watch not just for timekeepers but for trailblazers. Born in an era of slender quartz models, it defied trends with its impressive mechanical fortitude. The Chronomat started in 1983 as the official watch of the famed Italian aerial squadron Frecce Tricolori before its widespread release a year later, re-establishing the mechanical chronograph’s prominence in a quartz-dominated era.
With the Chronomat Giannis Antetokounmpo editions and the redesigned Chronomat B01 collection, Breitling once again scores points with watch enthusiasts everywhere, merging new-school narratives with a legacy of precision and style.