Breitling since 1884

“You simply don’t become official supplier to world aviation by chance”

Leon Breitling

Founded by Leon Breitling in 1884. The Breitling  company started specializing in measuring time. They made chronographs and timers with the idea to cater to the sports, science and industry markets. In this time they still made pocket watches since the wrist watch that we know today was considered to be feminine. Since it is quite time consuming and distracting to pull out your pocket watch all the time. The wrist watch made its entrance to the world during war time, being that it is much easier and user friendly than a Pocket watch.

The Successors

It is Gaston Breitling who takes over the company after the death of his father in 1914. And carried on with the family tradition. It is under his reign that the company further specializes in wrist chronograph watches. Starting off with the first independent chronograph push piece in 1915. Having learned from his father that innovation is very important. He went on to perfect this function with the two pusher chronograph in 1923. And finally in 1934 the chronograph that we know today with two pushers and one crown dividing the two.

It is in the years before WWII that Willy Breitling inherits the helm of the company. Aviation has always been very important for the brand. And it was during WWII that Aviation was taken to another level. Since Breitling was located in the Swiss Jura, it was neutral during the war. The first Air force they supplied was the R.A.F. of England in 1936. The pilots needed a reliable watch that could help them with their journey over enemy territory. Not long after the German Luftwaffe took interest in their watches as well. And finally even the American Airforce joined the party. Again, as I mentioned in previous blog post. It’s the German Luftwaffe who they try to forget in their history books.

The war is over but obviously they continued to manufacture watches. Now for the commercial markets. This produced all other kinds of obstacles. During the 1960’s they encountered some decline in sales. And choose to collaborate with Heuer and Büren to further perfect the chronograph. Focusing on making an automatic chronograph. Finally both brands proudly presented their versions in the years after. In those days sports and recreation was growing, and speed was the name of the game. An upcoming sport was Racing. Perhaps it is this sport market that they are most proud off. Their prestige collaboration with Bentley is well known by enthusiasts from both brands. It’s with this collection that they showcase their knowledge and skills for example with the Bentley Mulliner Tourbillon. Or this Bentley Mark VI.

But this is not merely as spectacular as having your own Jet-Team off course. Keeping close to their heritage of aviation they have their own fighter-jet team! And a “Jetman” what is a Jetman you might think? It’s simple you have a “man” and a “jet” drop him of a helicopter and the two merge making “Jetman”. The Breitling company is currently ad the hands of the Schneider family.

Models

Let’s talk about models. They have such an immense collection we can’t cover them all. So we are highlighting some of the icons.

The 1942 Chronomat was one of the first modern icons that Breitling advertised. It had the two pushers chrono and one crown with a circular parallel slide rule. Then in 1952 the Navitimer came with a “navigation computer” making it easier to calculate your flight path. It has been an instant success with pilots and consumers ever since. In 1984 the modern Chronomat came and was an immense success with not only pilots but also with the commercial markets. Aside from all the automatic watches Breitling makes. They are the bench mark for modern-day quartz watches. Providing even their quartz watches with a chronometer certificate. Making Breitling the only company who provides all their watches COCS certified since 2001. With the arrival of the Breitling Emergency, favourite to explorers and people who live in dangerously wild environments. It is equipped with an emergency transmitter bleeping out the 121.5 frequency for aircraft emergency.

All these marvellous feet’s aside. Unfortunately they produce very few “manufacture” movements within their collection. Off course all movements are changed checked to Breitling standards before it meets up with the case and rest of the watch. But still this might be one of very few points for the future to even better themselves within the international watch market.

Kind regards,