A heritage in innovation
Almost 20 years after Léon Breitling's pocket watch invention, Gaston’s son Willy Breitling would make his own mark on Breitling history. In 1934 the newest invention of a second pusher for resetting the chronograph was now placed under the crown, leading to what we know as the modern Chronograph today. Known as an authentic partner with aviation, the Royal British Airforce was equipped with Breitling clocks.
Breitling has become known as one of the finest wrist chronograph manufacturers in the world. The company had been passed down from generation to generation, and before Willy’s death was eventually sold to Ernest Schnieder, a watchmaker and entrepreneur. His son, Theodore Schnieder, still has part ownership of the company.
Modern day Breitling is known worldwide as a luxury watch for more than just those flying high in the skies. In 2017, behind new CEO Georges Kerne, Breitling sought out to widen it’s brand awareness to be known more than just an aviation partner and more than just watches for men. In doing so the collection has been divided into 4 categories of Land, Air, Sea and professional with #squadonamission influencers.
Avenger
The Avenger collection encompasses both the Avenger, a 43mm case and the Super Avenger range which is a hefty 48mm, perfect for large wrists. The stylizing of these timepieces are streamlined to appeal to the ultra-sporty. The crown and pusher’s design inspiration comes from the military, with a pattern made for easy grip and use. This collection features stainless steel and black DLC case versions that are closely tied to aviation.
Aviator 8
Modeled after the World War II cockpit clocks, these watches are cleanly designed automatic watches. Available in three hand and chronograph versions, the dials feature arabic numerals and bi-directional bezels. These timepieces are available in stainless steel or gold configurations on a bracelet or leather strap. This watch is perfect for the wearer who wants an easy to read design with the precision of a Breitling timepiece.
Chronomat
The watch features rider tabs on the bezel for easy bezel calibration while wearing gloves, this automatic caliber watch bucked the trend of quartz watches at the time. The Rouleaux bracelet is an eye-catching, barrel link design and later took on the “bullet bracelet” nickname. The Breitling Chronomat collection has been reintroduced with this bracelet.
Navitimer
The most iconic pilot’s watch of the Breitling family, the Navitimer remains mostly unchanged since 1952. A robust selection of millimeter sizes make this watch accessible to both men and women and people of all wrist sizes. The bezel of the Navitimer features a slide rule for piloting calculations, exchange rate calculations and other uses a slide rule allow.
Premier
First introduced in 1943, the premier began a new luxury approach to watchmaking. Today, this is the retro dress watch of the collection, with rectangular pushers and aesthetics that call the past to mind. Notable entries in this collection are the Top Time capsule pieces and the Bentley for Breitling watches.
Professional
“Instruments for Professionals” has been a near and dear mantra for Breitling since they began in 1884. The Professional series is now the only Superquartz watches under the Breitling umbrella and features a series of watches dedicated to function. This range encompasses the Emergency, a PLB worn on the wrist, B55 app connected watch and the analog/digital Aerospace.
Shop the Professional Collection
Superocean
The Superocean watches are built with the needed water resistance for the underwater explorer. With dials such as black, blue, bright orange and yellow these watches are the epitome of sport watches. Available in many different configurations, this is a highly versatile collection of watches for both men and women.
Shop the Superocean Collection
Superocean Heritage
Delivering a sophisticated, retro style, the Breitling Superocean Heritage collection features a beautiful selection of straps as well as the heritage mesh bracelet. A unidirectional ceramic bezel of black or blue grace the watch with luminescent markers for easy reading underwater. This watch is available in both chronograph and three hand designs.
Shop the Superocean Heritage Collection
100% COSC certified
They pride themselves as an elite class of Swiss manufacturers that can say all of their watches are 100% COSC certified (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres.) This means that every Breitling watch goes through an intensive timing certification process that only 5% of all Swiss watches go through and pass.
While being tested, each movement must stay within the range of -4/+6 average daily timing. If it goes outside these parameters then it fails. For your complete confidence, every Breitling timepiece comes with it’s own serialized certificate, guaranteeing it’s reliability.
Breitling's in-house movements.
Breitling uses a variety of movements in their watches, but they have recently begun to consolidate into four main categories to simplify the line; a three hand movement, chronograph movement, in-house chronograph movement, and an in-house GMT movement. But are Breitlings swiss made? You can have complete confidence that 100% of all Breitlings are Swiss made, whether they feature an in-house movement or a modified Calibre.
All in-house movements are developed in the Breitling Chronométrie, an amazing factory near La Chaux-de-Fonds Switzerland. Just what are the benefits of the in-house movements? One of the biggest user benefits to these timepieces is the 70 hour power reserve. The benefit of a longer power reserve is that it lends itself to higher reliability and if you take your watch off on a Friday it will still be running on Monday.
Breitling's international warranty
Breitling supplies all of its watches with a warranty. But there are two seperate lengths that everyone should be aware of. One warranty is a 2 year warranty, which covers all modified Breitling Swiss movement watches and in-house superquartz movements, while Breitling guarantees all of its in-house automatic movement watches for 5 years.
This gives you the confidence that Breitling trusts in its product with one of the industry’s longest warranties. All they ask is that you send it in for a complimentary pressure check every other year with a quick turn-around process. Any authorized Breitling retailer can assist you with this!