Breitling is one of the largest names associated with luxury watchmaking in the entire world. It began its story in 1884, in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland. Leon Breitling specialised in precision watches for sports, industrial purposes and science. As the company outgrew its facilities, Leon Breitling decided to relocate it to La Chaux de Fonds. After Leon’s passing, the company was handed down to his son whose interest was drawn towards creating tools for the military during World War I. This is where the direction changed for Breitling, who shifted its focus towards pilots watches. By 1915 Breitling’s first chronograph was born. Less than a decade later, Breitling could lay claim to its first chronograph push piece which separated the start and stop functions, making it a particularly practical companion for timing flights.
As another decade went by, Breitling formed some important relationships that secured the roots to its success. The Royal Air Force and United States Army are just two examples to recall. Project 99, which occurred in 1969, saw Breitling collaborate with three other cohorts to create the first self winding chronograph movement. Fifteen years later the Swiss company launched the Chronomat, which marked a monumental point for the brand. Characterised by its rider tabs and is sporty retro look, the wristwatches marked the resurgence of the mechanical movement after the quartz crisis. To this day, the Breitling Chronomat remains one of the company’s most popular models and has been made available in various iterations for men and women.
Debuting several decades before the Chronomat, however, was the Navitimer, also known as the super chronograph. Its “navigation computer” enabled the pilot to carry out several calculations whilst airborne. Breitling watches such as the Emergency (belonging to the brand’s Professional collection) feature a built-in micro transmitter that can tune into the 121.5MHz distress frequency, a distress signal that can be picked up within 90 nautical miles by search aircraft flying as far up as 20,000 feet. As well as Breitling’s popular B55 Connected smartwatch model, the Swiss watchmaker also developed the Superocean watch collection. These models are geared towards divers and were first launched in 1957. Having been part of the manufacturer’s catalogue for over 60 years, the series offers models equipped with 2000 meter water resistance, a helium escape valve and a chronometer certified movement for guaranteeing precision. The first models offered a 200-meter water resistant casing which, for their time, set the bar for new diving watch standards.
Lastly, combining all the key features of a diver’s watch and a pilot’s watch, the Breitling Avenger series is home to a range of incredibly sturdy timepieces for professionals that can be utilized during the day and night. Breitling has equipped some of the watches from this line with a staggering 3000 meter water resistance, as well as cases crafted from the company’s proprietary Breitlight material. This special alloy promises a case that is three times lighter but five times stronger than stainless steel. Icons like the Blackbird watch, the Avenger II Seawolf watch and the Avenger II GMT belong to this collection of robust tools.
