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Breitling
Founded in Saint-Imier in 1884, Breitling built the chronograph as a working instrument - and the Navitimer is still the pilot's watch every other pilot's watch is measured against. Haute Time covers the Navitimer, the Chronomat and the Superocean.
126Stories published
1884Maison founded
5Current collections
Breitling is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in Saint-Imier in 1884 by Leon Breitling, headquartered in Grenchen. Its principal collections are the Navitimer, Chronomat, Superocean, Avenger and Premier. Breitling's ancestor invented the independent chronograph pushpiece in 1915 and the second reset pusher in 1934, giving the two-button chronograph layout used across the industry today. The Navitimer, launched in 1952 with a circular slide rule for flight calculations, was adopted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the in-house Manufacture Calibre 01 chronograph movement arrived in 2009.
BreitlingFounded 1884Saint-ImierNavitimerChronographSlide RuleSuperoceanCalibre B01
The Collection
Navitimer
Pilot chronograph · 41-46mm
Cal. B01
Chronomat
Sport chronograph · 40-42mm
Cal. B01
Superocean
Dive · 42-46mm
Cal. 17 / B20
Avenger
Tool · 42-45mm
Cal. B01 / 17
Premier
Dress chronograph · 40-42mm
Cal. B01 / B09
Latest Breitling Coverage
All 126 Stories ›
News
Breitling and Watches of Switzerland Unveil a Two-Tone Green Navitimer Pair
News
What the FHH Watch Summit in New York Signals for the US Watch Market
News
Breitling Adds the Hand-Wound Navitimer B09 and B02 Cosmonaute to Its Core Collection
News
Breitling Super Chronomat Goes Bespoke for Aston Martin Valhalla
Geneva Watch Days 2026
Breitling Honors Miles Davis’s Centennial With the Navitimer He Made Cool
News
Breitling’s New Top Time Turns the Aston Martin DB5 Into a Chronograph
Milestones
1884
Leon Breitling founds the workshop in Saint-Imier, making chronographs and timers for industry and science.
1934
Breitling adds the second pusher, creating the modern two-button chronograph layout.
1952
The Navitimer arrives with a circular slide rule and becomes the pilot's calculator on the wrist.
2009
The in-house Manufacture Calibre 01 chronograph enters production.
Timely FAQs
What is the Navitimer slide rule for?
Flight calculations. The rotating bezel drives a circular slide rule for fuel burn, rate of climb, airspeed and unit conversion - a working navigation computer that pilots used before electronic flight bags, and the reason the AOPA adopted the watch.
Did Breitling invent the modern chronograph pushers?
Breitling introduced the independent chronograph pushpiece in 1915 and the separate reset pusher in 1934. That two-pusher arrangement - start/stop at two o'clock, reset at four - is now standard across the industry.
Does Breitling make its own movements?
Yes, for much of the range. The Manufacture Calibre 01 chronograph launched in 2009 and Breitling's in-house B-series calibres now power the Navitimer, Chronomat and Premier chronographs, alongside sourced movements in entry references.
Where can I read Breitling reviews from a watch publication?
Haute Time has published more than 80 Breitling stories, covering Navitimer and Superocean launches, squad ambassador campaigns and boutique openings.