Breitling

Breitling watches: The epitome of precision

Breitling is one of the most popular manufacturers of watches in the luxury segment and can look back on more than 140 years of tradition, during which the company laid many of the foundations for the development of today’s standards. For example, the Maison is considered an expert in the production of high-precision chronographs and robust pilot’s watches. The manufacturer’s range also includes high-performance diving watches that are water-resistant to a depth of 3,000 meters, depending on the model. In addition to Breitling men’s watches, the Maison’s range also includes special models for women, which are generally characterized by smaller case diameters and gemstone or mother-of-pearl dials. Since 2002, all Breitling watches have also been certified as chronometers by the Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute COSC. Despite numerous crises and challenges, Breitling was one of the few Swiss watch manufacturers to remain independent for a long time. In 2018, the brand finally came under the ownership of British financial investor CVC. Since 2022, the Swiss asset management company Partners Group has held the majority of shares in the company. Has a Breitling Chronomat Automatic or a Navitimer Automatic been on your wish list for a long time? Or would you like to find out more about the special features of the Superocean Automatic or the characteristics of the automatic manufacture movements? Then SG Watches is the right address for you. We have a number of carefully selected pre-owned Breitling watches available for you and will be happy to advise you personally on the models from the traditional Maison.

The history of Breitling begins in 1884

Breitling can look back on a long history dating back to the mid-1880s. In the midst of social unrest and a prolonged recession, Léon Breitling founded his first atelier in Saint-Imier in 1884 and began developing his first watches. Thanks to his continued success, the founder decided to turn his atelier into a fully-fledged watch factory as early as 1892 and relocated the company to La Chaux-de-Fonds. Breitling quickly set industry-wide standards with its exquisite chronographs and timepieces. His creations were particularly popular with pilots, athletes and sports enthusiasts. During these years, the inventor repeatedly impressed with genuine innovations. In 1893, for example, he patented a movement with an astonishing power reserve of eight days. In the same year, he launched the pulsograph, which made it particularly easy to determine a patient’s pulse.

Change at the top of the company

In 1914, Gaston Breitling followed his father’s example and took over the management of the company. He also quickly demonstrated his innovative spirit and, as early as 1915, designed one of the first wrist chronographs with a separate pusher at 2 o’clock. This made it possible to separate the pusher for the “start”, “stop” and “zero setting” functions from the crown, which made it much easier to operate. In 1932, Willy Breitling, just 19 years old, took over the management of the company. He also attracted attention with his pioneering chronograph inventions and in 1934 presented the first chronograph as we know it today: with two independent pushers on each side of the winding crown.

Instruments become stylish chronographs

In order to meet the needs of military and civil aviation for precise on-board instruments, the entrepreneur founded the “Huit Aviation Department” in 1938, including its own test laboratory, which was able to test the inventions under the most demanding conditions. This work paid off, as the company received an order from the British Ministry of Aviation in 1939. Other armed forces followed suit, making the company the best-known supplier of on-board chronographs. At the same time, Breitling continued to develop its wristwatches and in 1943 launched the Premier collection, a distinctive new line of watches for stylish customers. This was followed a year later by the launch of the Datora, which could display the moon phase and day as well as the date and was characterized by its elegant design. With the Top Time, the Maison also wanted to meet the needs of young, active professionals in 1964. To this end, Top Time opted for an elegant but unconventional design that quickly found favor with fashion-conscious customers. Not least because the brand deliberately appeared with the line in magazines such as time, Life and Harper’s Bazaar.

High-performance watches that withstand even the toughest conditions

In the midst of the quartz crisis, Ernest Schneider finally took over the company and recognized the opportunities that arose from the crisis. Schneider did not use quartz as a material because of its price, but specifically to develop the most precise and reliable watches on the market. Genuine high-performance watches that did not lose their reliability, precision and durability even under the toughest conditions. It was not for nothing that the Italian aerobatic team Frecce Tricolo opted for the chronograph developed by Breitling in 1983. Further special watches such as the Aerospace and new editions of the Navitimer as well as the Emergency, the first wristwatch with an integrated emergency transmitter, followed and helped the company to achieve the global success it enjoys today.

Breitling: craftsmanship meets innovative spirit

Breitling Рa brand that stands for values such as passion, quality and performance like almost no other manufacturer. As early as 1999, the manufacture set itself the task of ensuring that every caliber was given the status of a COSC-certified chronometer. In order to meet the high testing criteria, the company relies on the Chronom̩trie, the heart of Breitling watchmaking, which was opened in 2001 and where state-of-the-art research and work is carried out. Here, experienced experts and technicians make the finest adjustments down to hundredths or even thousandths of a second.

The in-house Breitling calibers

Breitling uses in-house manufacture calibres such as the B01 or the B04 in many of its models. Even though the manufacture also produces three-hand calibres and Superquartz calibres, the Maison specialized in the production of chronographs and corresponding calibres at an early stage. Today, the company can look back on no fewer than eleven in-house manufacture calibers for its chronographs, ranging from the legendary B01 to the B25. The B01 presents itself as an automatic caliber that enables the measurement of time sequences with maximum precision and offers a power reserve of around 70 hours. In contrast, the B25, which is also an automatic caliber, can also display the day, date, month and moon phase. Also exciting: the caliber B21. This automatic movement presents the escapement in a tourbillon cage.

Working in the spirit of sustainability

Breitling has always been on a mission: to do better. The company is committed to optimizing the social and environmental impact of its business activities and focusing on positive effects along the entire value chain. For example, the Maison sources its gold exclusively from artisanal and small-scale production. For its diamonds, the company uses laboratory-grown specimens. Sustainability is also at the forefront of the design of the bracelets, such as the Outerknow bracelets, and packaging. By 2025, the manufactory aims to completely eliminate plastic waste in all business areas and obtain 100% of its energy from renewable sources worldwide.

The Breitling collections at a glance

Over the years, Breitling has made a name for itself with numerous collections, some of which now enjoy cult status. Discover below some of the most important watches launched by the Maison since 1884 and find your new dream watch from the Swiss manufacturer.

Breitling Navitimer: Pilot's watch with cult status

The Breitling Navitimer is undoubtedly one of the best-known watches in the Breitling range. The Navitimer was introduced to the world in 1952 and has hardly changed visually since then. You can quickly recognize a Breitling Navitimer by its slide rule bezel, which makes it possible to perform calculations such as the rate of descent or ascent. Most Navitimers also have a chronograph function, as well as versions with complications such as a perpetual calendar or a moon phase display. If you opt for a Navitimer from a more recent model year, you can also be sure that a B01 movement is setting the pace.

Breitling Chronomat: a collection with a long tradition

The Breitling Chronomat is also classified as a pilot’s watch and can look back on a long history, as the first version appeared back in the 1940s. Back then, the Chronomat could also be recognized by its slide rule bezel, which also gave the timepiece its name. The name “Chronomat” is made up of the two words “chronograph” and “mathematics”. However, the Chronomat as we know it today was not launched until 1984. It is characterized by four bezel riders, a characteristic onion crown and a rouleaux bracelet. Good to know: The collection also includes three-hand watches and watches with a GMT display, as well as partially diamond-set versions for ladies. Opt for a Chronomat B01 or a version with an ETA movement, for example.

Breitling Aviator: made for flying

With the Aviator and the Classic AVI, the Swiss manufacturer has two more pilot’s watches in its range that are characterized by their versatile designs. The series are pilot’s watches in the style of the 1950s and 1960s, which are available in diameters from 41 to 46 mm and can be purchased in either gold or stainless steel. Some watches also have additional functions such as a second time zone (GMT) or a day-date display.

Breitling Avenger: robust and modern

If you prefer something more modern, you should take a closer look at the Avenger. The Avenger can also be categorized as a pilot’s watch and impresses as a robust and reliable tool watch. For example, the Avenger is characterized by increased water resistance of between 300 meters and 3,000 meters, depending on the version. This means that the watch can also be used as a diver’s watch. It is available in diameters from 43 to 50 mm and also as a three-hand watch.

Breitling Superocean and Superocean Héritage

When you think of high-performance diving watches, the Superocean and the Superocean Héritage certainly spring to mind. This is not surprising, as the watches cut a fine figure both underwater and in everyday life and impress with their modern design. If you are looking for a retro-style diver’s watch, the Superocean Héritage is definitely the right choice for you. It is inspired by the diving watches of the 1950s and is characterized by its arrow-shaped hour hand and concave bezel, among other features. With the Breitling Superocean Héritage, you have the choice between three-hand watches and chronographs. Manufacture calibers with automatic winding generally set the pace. The Breitling Superocean Héritage is also available in stainless steel, gold and bicolor.

Endurance Pro: the companion for adventure

Do you love being out and about in nature? Then the Breitling Endurance is your faithful companion. The Endurance Pro series is aimed specifically at outdoor enthusiasts and comes with a compass bezel and a case made from lightweight, durable Breitlight. The Breitling Endurance is water-resistant to a depth of 100 meters and is equipped with a thermo-compensated SuperQuartz caliber. This means that the Endurance Pro remains completely unaffected by temperature fluctuations, magnetic fields and shocks. And the long battery life also speaks in favor of the Endurance Pro, as it is specified at 3 to 4 years.

Premier: the dress watch

The Breitling brand not only inspires with functional tool watches, but is also known for some iconic dress watches. This includes the Premier. It is characterized by its elegant, sporty design and is available in diameters from 40 to 42 mm. In addition to stainless steel, the Premier is also available in 18-carat gold. The line also includes special watches with complications such as a full calendar or tourbillon.

Buy Breitling watches - you'll find them here

Are you interested in a watch with the iconic B01 movement? Has a Breitling Navitimer been on your wish list for a long time? Or are you looking for more information about the Chronomat with B01 movement? Then SG Watches is the right address for you. We are not only a reliable jeweler for the Oldenburg region, but also your experienced expert in the sale of pre-owned watches from the Swiss manufacturer. So you don’t have to go through an official dealer with a long waiting list to fulfill your dream of owning a Breitling automatic. Whether Classic AVI, Breitling Chronomat Automatic or Navitimer Automatic – make an appointment at our branch and let our specialists advise you personally. We look forward to your visit.

Discover your new Breitling online

Not from the Oldenburg region? Then take a look around our online store. As an experienced jeweler and watch dealer, you will find all the important information about our Breitling watches and can buy them with confidence. Expert advice and insured shipping are a matter of course for us.

By the way: Regardless of whether you own a Navitimer Automatic or another watch from the iconic manufacturer, our experienced watchmakers will also be happy to take care of the care and maintenance of your collector’s item. In this way, you can ensure that the watch retains or even increases its value and functions smoothly for generations to come. We would be happy to provide you with further information on this service by telephone or e-mail and look forward to hearing from you.