Breitling Watches

About Breitling Watches

Leon Breitling established his namesake brand in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland in 1884 with the goal to create precision watches for sports, science, and industrial purposes. His son, Gaston, took over the family business just over a decade later; seeing the rapid advancements in aviation during WWI and the need for a precision watch for pilots he introduced the first Breitling chronograph wristwatch in 1915. By the 1930s, the company began to secure partnerships with both the Royal Air Force and the United States Army.

Breitling made one of its most groundbreaking horological advancements in 1969. That year marked the invention of the self-winding chronograph movement as part of Project 99 in tandem with Heuer, Buren, and Dubois-Depraz. This was a phenomenal achievement not only for the brand but also for the watch industry as whole. In 1984, Breitling debuted the watch that solidified the company’s name in watchmaking history: the Chronomat. The introduction of the Chronomat marked the resurgence of the mechanical chronograph. The brand has embraced new ways to integrate technology and design, with models including the Navitimer with its revolutionary “navigation computer” in 1952; the Emergency in 1995, with a built-in micro-transmitter to broadcast a distress signal if needed; and the Exospace B55 in 2016, which features a unique hybrid technology that combines a traditional chronograph function with digital benefits.

For over a century, Breitling has made its imprint on the watch industry with its countless advancements and achievements. Today, the company continues to strive for excellence in precision watches with the latest technology available.