Few watchmakers are as closely tied to the history of the chronograph as Breitling. Founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, the brand was built on a single ambition: to create precision measuring instruments for science, sport, and industry, not simply watches that told the time. More than 140 years later, that founding philosophy still defines the brand.
Where Breitling Began
In 1892, Léon Breitling moved his operation to the Montbrillant building in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The workshop quickly earned a reputation for chronographs and timers built for professionals and enthusiasts alike, with a steady stream of patents focused on reliability, performance, and functionality.
A Family of Innovators
In 1914, Léon’s son Gaston took over as wristwatches were gaining popularity. Breitling became one of the first firms to offer a wrist-worn chronograph, and in 1915 Gaston introduced a pushpiece separate from the crown to control the start, stop, and reset functions. In 1923, he refined the design so the pushpiece controlled start and stop while the crown handled reset, allowing several timing operations in sequence without resetting the hands.
The modern chronograph took shape in 1934, when Léon’s grandson Willy added a second independent pushpiece at four o’clock, a layout soon adopted across the industry. Willy later launched one of the first self-winding chronograph movements, Caliber 11, in 1969.
The Brand That Took to the Skies
Breitling’s precision instruments found a natural home in aviation. Pilots came to rely on the brand’s pocket and wrist chronographs, and by the 1930s Breitling was supplying onboard cockpit chronographs, earning recognition as a supplier to the aviation industry. The Navitimer, introduced in 1952 with its circular slide rule, remains an icon among pilots and collectors.
Holding the Course
Ernest Schneider took over the brand in 1979 and kept it at the leading edge of chronograph design, most notably with the Chronomat. Breitling also expanded into advanced electronic instruments such as the Aerospace, Emergency, and B-1. In 1999, the brand committed to submitting all of its movements, mechanical and quartz, to COSC chronometer certification, a milestone that reshaped its production and testing standards.
A Heritage Worth Collecting
From its origins in La Chaux-de-Fonds to its standing as one of the most recognized names in chronograph history, Breitling has built a reputation on independence, innovation, and precision. That legacy makes vintage and pre-owned Breitling watches especially sought after among collectors today.
Shop Pre-Owned Breitling at Precision Watches
Precision Watches carries a curated selection of pre-owned luxury timepieces, including Breitling, at our showroom in Lower Gwynedd, serving the greater Philadelphia area. Every watch is inspected and serviced by our in-house team. Browse our pre-owned collection online, visit us in store, or contact us to learn more.
Precision Watches | 1612 N. Bethlehem Pike, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002 | (215) 343-4433
