Giannis Antetokounmpo Just Designed His Own Breitling Chronomat
With a 2021 NBA Championship title, a pair of NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and no less than eight NBA All-Star nods, Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t need to embellish his resume all that much. Rather than being content with his status as one of the best players in the game, however, the Greek-Nigerian 6’11” Milwaukee Bucks power forward has branched out into ethical investing and served as executive producer on a National Geographic documentary. Now, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling, he’s getting into watch design, too. The new Chronomat Giannis Antetokounmpo puts the NBA star’s fingerprint on a limited-edition collection of aviation-inspired watches, including a chronograph, a GMT, and a spectacular Arabic dial piece unique.
“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 new Breitling X Giannis Antetokounmpo collection consists of a 40mm steel Chronomat GMT and a 42mm, 18k red gold Chronomat B01 chronograph, both of which have been customized by Antetokounmpo with several unique details including “GA” initials on the central hand, a basketball emblem subtly worked into the chronograph counter, and Antetokounmpo’s signature on the GMT caseback. Both watches are limited editions (1750 for the GMT and 250 for the chronograph) and each is fitted with a dial inspired by the Bucks’ “Good Land green” team colours.
The chronograph model also debuts Breitling’s newest strap option, a version of the Chronomat’s classic “rouleaux” bracelet in green rubber with an ergonomic butterfly folding clasp. Each piece is delivered in special-edition Giannis Antetokounmpo packaging, including a note from the “Greek Freak” himself.
Adding further mystique to the collection is the addition of a one-of-one piece unique designed by and for the NBA star himself. In addition to the details found on the other pieces in the collection, Antetokounmpo’s personal Chronomat features a full-gold, 18k red gold case and bracelet, a green dial set with golden Arabic-language numerals, a white inner bezel, and white contrasting chronograph counters.
“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.”
The new Chronomat Giannis Antetokounmpo collection is one of several recent additions to the Breitling lineup, including two new versions created in partnership with famed British motorcycle brand Triumph, and versions of the Chronomat B01 42 and Super Chronomat B01 44 in ultralight titanium.