Breitling at Michael Spiers

Breitling is a leader in luxury watchmaking. Founded in 1884, the Swiss brand pioneered navigational tool watches and invented the modern chronograph. Over the years, pilots and adventurers alike have relied on the brand’s highly accurate timepieces. Today, Breitling remains one of the few independent watchmakers that manufactures its movements in house – each one is a COSC-certified chronometer. The brand’s collections centre on air, sea and land pursuits, reflecting its navigational history and combining classic watchmaking with contemporary design. Breitling is spearheading a movement of inclusive luxury with more than 150 relaxed, industrial loft-inspired retail locations worldwide.

In 1884 Léon Breitling had a vision. The innovative features that he developed for his pocket watches earned Breitling a formidable reputation. Léon’s focus was firmly on Chronographs and in 1889, he was granted a patent for a simplified model, which distinguished itself from its competitors. In 1914 his son Gaston took over the family business, introducing one of the world’s first wrist chronographs with a separate push-piece above the watch crown, demonstrating his father’s pioneering spirit and passion for chronographs. The innovations continued when Gaston’s son Willy took over. In 1952 the revolutionary Navitimer was born, popular in the aviation industry. In 1979, Ernest Schneider and his family, became the guardians of the Breitling legacy until 2017. In 1984, Breitling celebrated its 100th anniversary with a completely redesigned Chronomat, which was characterised by its bezel riders and its automatic chronograph caliber. Today, now a part of CVC Capital Partners, Breitling prepares to fly into the future.