Breitling
Breitling was founded in 1884 and is a leading Swiss watch manufacturer. As the inventor of the modern chronograph and a pioneer in functional watches for navigation, Breitling sets new standards in the relaxed, inclusive, and sustainable world of luxury. The collections, with their modern-retro style, are designed for air, land, and sea, and are available worldwide in more than 290 boutiques designed in an industrial loft style. Every movement is a COSC-certified chronometer, with many featuring in-house manufacture calibers. Breitling combines traditional watchmaking craftsmanship with sustainable innovations and pursues a “mission to do better” along the entire value chain.
Discover Breitling:
Collections
Navitimer
In 1952, Breitling was commissioned by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to create a chronograph for its members. The result was the Navitimer, a revolutionary wrist-worn flight computer that enabled its wearers to perform essential calculations like rate of climb and fuel consumption. Its innovative design made the Navitimer an indispensable tool for aviators and a legendary icon in watchmaking. Now, over 70 years later, it blends tradition with modern innovation, passing on its heritage to new generations.
Avenger
Built for jet pilots, the Avenger is designed to take on the toughest cockpits and keep coming back for more. But you don’t need Air Force credentials to appreciate its bold design, exceptional resilience, and next-level functionality. Whether you’re flying at top speed or navigating the everyday, the Avenger is the ultimate companion for life’s adventures.
Classic AVI
Echoing the celebrated design codes of the Ref. 765 AVI Co-Pilot, the Classic AVI collection recalls Breitling’s earliest links with aviation from the 1930s, when the brand was known for the precision cockpit watches and pilot’s chronographs produced by its Huit Aviation department. With a highly legible dial, robust case, and signature rotating bezel, it also celebrates the pioneering spirit of aviators and four historic aircraft: the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the de Havilland Mosquito, the Vought F4U Corsair, and the North American P-51 Mustang.
Chronomat
In the early 1980s, Breitling learned that the Italian Frecce Tricolori Jet team was on the hunt for a dedicated mechanical chronograph for its pilots. The team’s ideal watch had to be sturdy enough for the cockpit, but sleek enough for off-duty wear. One of the prime occupational hazards facing jet pilots: their watch crystals often got damaged when they opened and closed the canopy of their aircraft. Breitling came up with a clever solution: recessing the crystal in the bezel and protecting it with four raised “rider tabs” at the 15-minute marks. The Frecce Tricolori was impressed with the design and commissioned the watches, that went on to become a hit, not just with the team, but amongst collectors. In 1984, Breitling launched the design publicly as the Chronomat. Its rider tabs, together with the easy-grip “onion” crown and durable metal “Rouleaux” bracelet, remain Chronomat signatures to this day.
Premier
In the early 1940s, Breitling gained fame by supplying precision aviation instruments to the Allies through its Huit Aviation department. But as the end of the war approached, Willy Breitling saw an increasing demand for chronographs that represented elegance and optimism. His response was the Premier collection, introduced in 1943. Named after the French word for “first,” it set a new standard in watchmaking. The collection took the functional chronograph out of the cockpit and into society, with the finest materials, calibers, and designs. Today, the Premier collection continues this legacy, blending timeless style with modern craftsmanship.
Top Time
Originally launched in the 1960s, the Top Time had a clear mission: to meet the needs of young, active professionals with a range of ultra-modern chronographs. The sports watch appealed not only to this demographic but also to those drawn to its bold proportions and graphic dial designs. The collection quickly became a symbol of self-expression for a dynamic generation. Today, the Top Time remains a go-to for those exploring the world in their own way, at their own pace.
Superocean
In the 1950s, the demand for divers’ watches grew due to their essential role in ocean exploration and aquatic sports. In 1957, Breitling launched its first dive-watch line, the SuperOcean. By the 1960s, Breitling had honed its undersea expertise into the SuperOcean Slow Motion, a chronograph for seasoned divers looking for optimal performance and legibility. Today’s Superocean brings this legacy into the 21st century. It’s sporty, technical, durable, and comes in a range of fun colors. Dive with it, surf with it, swim with it, hit the beach bar with it.
Superocean Heritage
In the 1950s, the demand for divers’ watches increased with the rise of professional and leisure scuba diving. In 1957, Breitling took the plunge into the undersea world with two pioneering dive watches. Called SuperOcean, the line was made up of the Ref. 1004 time-only model and the Ref. 807—the world’s first dive chronograph. Inspired by its mid-century predecessors, today’s Superocean Heritage combines vintage design cues with modern craftsmanship made to take you from sea to shore in style.
Professional
One of Breitling’s enduring mottos was “Instruments for Professionals,” and these words remain as relevant today as ever. The Professional line is equipped with advanced functionalities for adventurers and explorers. Notable models include the Aerospace, introduced in 1985 with its intuitive control system and titanium case, the Emergency, launched in 1995 with a built-in distress beacon, and the Endurance Pro, an ultra-lightweight sports chronograph released in 2020. They’re the ideal partners for adventures big and small.
The history of Breitling
Léon, Gaston and Willy: Three generations of the Breitling family in the chronograph’s service. Breitling’s famous connection to chronographs and aeronautics dates back to 1884, when he laid the foundations for a company that would remain the property of his family for almost a century.