“COMBINING CLASSIC WATCHMAKING WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, BREITLING IS BOTH A COMPANY WITH HISTORY AND ONE THAT’S AHEAD OF ITS TIME. THIS IS THE BRAND THAT INVENTED THE MODERN CHRONOGRAPH, AND TODAY IT MAINTAINS ITS PIONEERING SPIRIT BY CONSTANTLY INNOVATING FROM WITHIN.“
Copyright Breitling
History of Breitling
Léon Breitling opened his first atelier at Place Neuve 1, Saint-Imier in 1884. It was during a time when Switzerland was experiencing one of the worst economic recessions and much social unrest, however, he began to dream & develop his watches despite the challenges. It wasn’t for another 8 years until he transformed his little workshop into a working factory in the watchmaking capital of Switzerland (& the world) known as Chaux-de-Fonds.
The top notch chronographs & timers he pioneered were coveted by athletes, sport enthusiasts, aviation lovers, pilots, doctors, police officers, & other professionals. The time pieces he brought to life received numerous patents and many are still relevant in our modernized society. Among some of the patented movements was one that had a power reserve of 8 days, the pulsograph that was used in the medical field for measuring a patient’s pulse, & a pocket watch called the tachymeter that became the precursor for the vehicle speedometer.
His son, Gaston, succeeded in his footsteps in 1914 focusing on the wearability of the wrist watch and its movements. He specifically focused on the “start”, “stop”, and “reset” functions. Gaston passed in 1927 & his son, who was only 19 years old, took the helm in 1932.
The third-generation Breitling owner, Willy, patented his own breakthrough chronograph function: a second pusher at 4 o’clock, dedicated exclusively to resetting the chronograph to zero. It was more than a functional improvement. This feature was the final stroke in developing the chronograph we know today, with two independent pushers on either side of the winding crown.
In innovation and design, this family of movers-and-shakers was always one step ahead. Willy Breitling would soon take marketing and product design to the next level. Leveraging the technical foundation laid by his father and grandfather, he would begin to name his products and push the limits of their design.
The second half of the 1930s saw increased production of one of Breitling’s emerging specialties – the onboard chronograph for aircraft. This indispensable cockpit instrument allowed for precise flight-time calculation, cementing Breitling’s name and reputation in the aviation industry. Despite the brand’s rapid growth in the flight sector, Breitling’s attention wasn’t on instrumentation alone. Even in the dark days of WWII, Willy Breitling recognized a desire for practical, yet refined, personal timepieces. To meet this demand, he developed Breitling’s first style-driven wristwatches, the Premier, Duograph and Datora.
This just begins to scratch the surface on the history and legacy of Breitling, to read more, click here: https://www.breitling.com/us-en/history/purposetostyle/
Why Buy a Breitling?
If there’s one thing that Breitling never compromises on, it’s quality. From the intricate movements to the choice of materials, everything screams craftsmanship. Each Breitling watch undergoes rigorous testing to meet strict Swiss quality standards, including the renowned COSC certification for precision. Only 2% of Swiss brands are able to meet these stringent requirements, making Breitling a top choice for those who covet an excellent watch & being on time. The SuperQuartz technology is 10 times more accurate than conventional movements in the market.
There’s also no shortage of offerings in the Swiss brand’s collection, no lengthy waitlist that could take years, and each model eyes up a totally different wearer. This is the beauty as there is a timepiece for every wrist. They have designs to suit every personality, artistic style, and lifestyle. They offer different materials from metals to gold and also various hues & colors of the rainbow.
If there’s one part about our culture at Necker’s, it’s that we are always trying to give back to our community & make our world a better place. Breitling is committed to environmental sustainability using recycled materials within their wrist straps & cases. They also aid in Ocean Conservatory, helping to keep our waters clean and the animals that inhabit it healthy.
The well known watch brand, has also partnered with SUGi. Since partnering with SUGi in 2020, Breitling has planted 10,500 trees of 200+ native plant species on 3,000 square meters across four forests in 14 countries restoring 195 species, with more forests to follow. To learn more about how Breitling gives back, click here: https://www.breitling.com/us-en/sustainability/
In terms of value, they are a great investment piece and are built to last. Each watch comes with its own warranty, to give the wearer peace of mind. This international warranty lasts for 5 years in which you can choose to add additional coverage for 3 years. To read more on the warranty side of your new Breitling watch, click here: https://www.breitling.com/us-en/service/international-warranty/.
Breitling will be celebrating 140 years of innovation this year, a true testament to their business & chronographs. If you are looking for a watch with multiple capabilities and has a classic, luxurious appeal to it… it’s time to add a Breitling to your collection. Your wrist will thank you.
Shop Breitling in person at Necker’s Jewelers Davenport Location or at the link: https://www.neckersjewelers.com/breitling/
“MANUFACTURED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS, BREITLING WATCHES ARE DESIGNED TO PERFORM IN ANY ENVIRONMENT AND ON ANY MISSION. BREITLING PRODUCED THE FIRST SWISS WRISTWATCH THAT WENT TO SPACE AND WAS A CHOICE OF 007 AGENT JAMES BOND.“
Learn more about Breitling by watching the video we made with Living Local: Breitling—Perfect for a Father’s Day Gift | Necker’s Jewelers (ourquadcities.com)
