Long-held ties to the field of aviation have colored the rich history of this brand. Their products have flown on everything from Royal Air Force planes to the Aurora 7 space capsule to the first hot air balloon to fly, non-stop, around the world. Some of the most important advances in modern timekeeping have come from this company. As the pioneer of the pushpiece control for chronograph functions and the inventor of the self-winding chronograph, Breitling watch revolutionized the industry. They are the workhorse of the luxury bands, specializing in building timepieces that are actually industrial timing instruments in the guise of a beautiful timepiece.
What We Love About Breitling
Breitilng has a fascinating history full of landmark innovations. Their design takes its inspiration directly from the planes with which it has so long been associated. The aeronautical influence is readily apparent in the design of these. It looks like something that emerged from the cockpit of a plane. Each model is really much more than a simple marker of passing time; they have sophisticated functions that go well beyond marking minutes and hours. Some models even come equipped to manage all the calculations of a flight plan. These are chronographs in the truest sense of the term.
There are a number of styles within this brand and all are quite striking. There are sportier models with leather bands and complex dials full of technical markings and tools. Others are more streamlined and elegant. Classic detailing saves these scientific instruments from looking too much like they belong in a tool kit rather than on a wrist. The excellence of the brand is also evident in the materials they choose. Cases are typically stainless steel and details may be rendered in gold. Bands might be stainless steel, fine leather or even gold. Movements are usually mechanical but the brand is not fixed on this type alone.
Some Things We Don’t Like About Breitling
Pilots need highly technical timepieces capable of many different complex calculations. However, most consumers don’t need the level of technology that the average model encompasses. It may be more complicated than an average wearer might want to own if all he needs to know is the current time. Multiple complications on the face and the numerous divisions of the hour around the dial can make reading the time in a quick glance more difficult. Cost could also be an issue as the machinery and world renowned skill need to create one of these luxury mens watches comes with premium price tag.
Company History
Leon Breitling first opened a workshop in the Swiss Jura mountains in 1884 but relocated in 1892 to what was then the heart of the industry, La Chaux-de-Fonds. His son Gaston took over the company after Leon’s death in 1914, during an era of incredible change and advancement in the field of aviation. Gaston realized the needs of World War II pilots and supplied them with the first wrist mounted model, a necessary innovation of wartime. Another of the company’s great innovations was pioneering first the separate pushpiece control for chronograph functions and later dual pushpieces. More advances came with their circular slide rule, navigation computer and self-winding chronograph. Today the company continues this legacy of breakthroughs and world-class quality in their mens watches under the leadership of Ernest Schneider, a pilot and watchmaker.
