Brand Spotlight – Breitling; Tool Watches Since 1884

Let’s take a moment to appreciate Swiss hard-hitter Breitling. Innovator of the iconic Navitimer. Creator of the classic Chronomat. Legendary leader in the chronograph realm and a brand that enlists some of the world’s most influential ambassadors. Here’s your one-stop guide to Breitling watches, from Superocean to Avenger. And beyond.

Your Induction

Now you’re here, you’ll probably want to get into the nitty-gritty details of what makes Breitling one of the most successful Swiss watchmakers on the planet. The trouble is, there’s so much to cover. Each collection deserves a dedicated written piece of its own. But the brand’s history is a good place to start.

Woven into the tapestry of tool-like adventure watches and precise chronographs is a story that tells the tale of a certain Leon Breitling and his dedicated career in refining measuring tools for time back in 1884. Within just five years, and at the young age of just 30, he had already filed a patent for a simplified chronograph. By 1915, Breitling had released its first pusher-operated chronograph. Fast forward to just after the Second World War, and a surge in commercial aviation initiated the release of Breitling’s Navitimer watch, equipped with the indispensable slide rule bezel for numerous onboard calculations while at the helm of the cockpit.

The 1970s marked a transitional period for the brand, where the owners sold the company’s names and models to a visionary entrepreneur named Ernest Schneider – a pilot and watchmaker himself. As well as leading the company forward with extensions to these already popular designs, Schneider couldn’t have been a better fit for the company, thanks to his relentless obsession with quality. Let’s take a look at the brand’s key lines and what they offer the modern collector.

Chronomat

You can pick the Chronomat out from the other side of a crowded room. Its distinctive design language comprises a legible dial, a solid steel bezel and four rider tabs at the cardinal points. One of the nicest additions to the line was Breitling’s exclusive Rouleaux bracelet, with elegant roll-like links and rounded edges that provide a comfortable and ergonomic finish on the wrist. The reintroduction of the 1980s Chronomat design was launched in 2020, following a long hiatus, so you can imagine the excitement and anticipation across elite watch-collecting circles when the brand dropped the new launch just a few years ago. Even the optional rubber band on the Chronomat watch is a cool look, mimicking the style of the metal Rouleaux bracelet down to a tee.

Navitimer

The iconic look of the Breitling Navitimer is owed to its bi-directional slide rule bezel and pilot-inspired dial. Before digital calculators, the slide rule bezel was commonly used for calculating multiplication and division. Still, in the Navitimer, it served the wrist with a whole host of other useful features like distance, speed, and fuel consumption. Even though reliability and performance still lie at the heart of every Navitimer watch, the brand’s flagship watch has come to be loved worldwide, even by those who don’t intend to soar through the skies with it.

Superocean

There’s a very good reason why Superocean watches are some of Breitling’s most popular. This series builds on the company’s dive watch heritage with several dial colours and sizes to choose from, not to mention a category of Superocean Heritage watches with a distinctive 1950s-esque vibe if you’re looking to tap into something more retro. If it’s just the dive watch realm that you want to dip your toes into, however, the Superocean line has so many configurations it’s unreal. The first Breitling Superocean watch was first developed in 1957 and was geared towards professional and recreational divers. The relaunched collection emerged in 2019, followed by the Superocean Heritage in 2020. Equipped with everything it takes for a life near or in the water, these tools feature a metal or rubber band, a unidirectional rotating bezel and a water-resistant rating of 300 meters. Basically, you’d be hard-pressed to find a watch that didn’t suit your tastes in this collection.

Avenger

If you’re the kind of person who jumps from one pursuit to the other in your free time, the Avenger watch by Breitling has you covered for just about everything. The models from this collection actually have DLC-coated cases, promising an extra layer of coverage against bashes, bumps and scratches. They’re not necessarily complex, either. Simple three-handed models do exist while the chronograph versions and GMT complications offer an added level of technical sophistication for those who like their watches to have a little more about them. You can think of the Breitling Avenger as a type of field watch, most of which are available on metal bracelets. As a nice alternative to conventional stainless steel models, the brand offers lightweight options in titanium, which serve the wrist nicely when partaking in sports or other outdoor pursuits.

Premier

The Breitling Premier collection is the brand’s platform to showcase a higher level of watchmaking. The price of each of these timepieces reflects the brand’s commitment to high-calibre craftsmanship, offering tourbillons, moonphases and split-second chronographs. For example, the B09-powered Premier Chronograph 40 watch has charming dimensions that suit those with less endowed wrists, and the model can even be enjoyed on an unusual pistachio-coloured dial. With a 70-hour power reserve, the B09 Calibre is a weekend-proof movement, taking you from Friday through to Monday morning with uncompromised precision should you want to swap it for something else in your collection. These watches are a great addition to any collection lacking a classic chronograph with a refined movement.

To this day, Breitling watches continue to appeal to those who like to push the boundaries and seek unchartered paths, similar to the manufacturer itself. In doing so, a younger generation of enthusiasts is now enjoying Breitling watches, finding a kindred spirit in the brand’s ability to seamlessly blend traditional and modern elements.

If you’d like more information on any Breitling watch or would like to enquire about a particular reference, call and speak to a member of our sales team today at Jura Watches on  01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk.