History of the Breitling Brand
The creation of the Breitling watch
It was the first Cartier wristwatch that attracted the attention of Breitling. This was back in 1904. This inspired Breitling for the idea to create a wrist-stopwatch on its own. This wrist stopwatch showed to be an ideal device for pilots. It was during this period of time that the first powered aircraft flights were made. From that moment on the Breitling Brand was connected to aviation. After the death of his son Louis Breitling it was Gaston Breitling who took over the factory. It was back in 1923 that Gaston did an important invention. He found out how to fit a watch and a stopwatch in one single watchcase watch. For the first time in history, these two functions were combined in one box. Not long thereafter Breitling did a new invention. A clock that was triggered by the movement of the wrist. Breitling was not the first watch with this feature. Rolex was just a little bit earlier with the invention. But this invention was very important, now that the pilots could rely on their watches, even on their long distance flights. This watch was always on time.Breitling supplies Royal Airforce
Mid-thirties Breitling became the main supplier for the Royal Airforce. The organization designed a special watch for the Royal Air force. But in the second world war, the Germans also wanted a Breitling watch. Fortunately Breitling was a Swiss company that was neutral during this war. By being Neutral the organization was able to supply the Britisch, Americans and even the Germans with their watches.The Breitling Navitimer
In 1956 the flagship for Breitling arrived at the market, the Navitimer. This watch is seen as the most popular pilot watch.Breitling for Bentley
That the Breitling watch was in the market seen as a very exclusive item was also noticed by the manufacturer Bentley Motors. They approached the Breitling factory to design a watch that they could do as a gift to the buyers of a Bentley. Especially for Bently the designers from Breitling designed an exclusive watch. This watch is equipped with the motorsports related functions. Eventually, this was the heaviest, thickest and most complete model of Breitling. Because the heavy demand for this special watch, the model is no longer exclusively associated with the purchase of a Bentley car.The Breitling Factories
The plants off Breitling are mostly still located in the Jura, where the plant originally began. In the village of La Chaux de Fonds, the place of the business of Louis Breitling. The headoffice stands now in Grenchen.Examples from the Breitling Collection
Breitling Aeromarine Series
These Breitling watches were previously part of the Professional Series. But after forming a series on its own, this series of Breitling watches has a specific series of Breitling watches for divers and other functional watches that are less affected by aviation. In this series we see also the somewhat simpler and inexpensive Breitling models. For many Breitling owners, the first selected Breitling model will be an "opt-in" model from this series. The watches are operated by a Quartz clock and a large number of watches out of this series have both a digital and analog indication of the time.
Breitling Bentley Series
In cooperation with the Bentley car a special series of Breitling watches was developed. In the early nineties, this watch by Bentley was a free gift to the new owners of a Bentley car. The watch carried the logo of Bentley and was a very popular item. Especially among collectors these Breitling watches were popular. As from 1997 Breitling decided to add the models to the standard collection which are for sale were via an exclusive dealer network of jewelers. In this series of models we see the heaviest and thickest Breitling watches. Frequently the watchcase is silver-plated and does contain a stopwatch and a rotating bezel.
Breitling Navitimer Series
The watches from the Breitling Navitimer series are symbolic of the brand Breitling. It's become the official watch of the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations), the world's largest association of pilots and pilots. Since 1952 the Navitimer is a unique tool that can be worn the wrist, very popular amongst pilots. This series of Breitling watches chronograph is the oldest continuously produced model. All models have a stopwatch and a rotating ring around the dial numbers. The best-known model from this series is the Breitling Blackbird. This special model has a second small box with its own watch dial. The second box is on the side of the watch band. This allows the pilot to read the time without taking the hands from the steering wheel or flying stick.
Breitling Professional Series
This is the series of Breitling watches with the most expensive and most advanced models. In this group we see much more complicated watches that are used by scientists. These watches are bought and worn by people who have high demands on a wristwatch: Astronauts, sailors and professional pilots. These models are only made to order and are therefore also very exclusive and rare. The most exclusive model in this series is the Breitling Emergency. A shock-and radiation-resistant watch with a titanium watchcase of 80mm thickness. The watch has a safety spin. When it is pulled out a transmitter will be activated. This is the carrier to locate by rescue workers. The watch was very effective in a rescue operation in Antarctica. Actually, this model was intended only for professional pilots. Individuals who want to buy the watch need to sign a document indicating that they will be charged the cost for a rescue in case of abuse for the rescue transmitter.
