In 1882 the world was in a period of transition. The industrial revolution had done its worst and everything was starting to feel incredibly modern. Industry, science and sport were all progressing in leaps and bounds. And witnessing all of this was Leon Breitling. Breitling knew that all of these progressive endeavors would need more precise timing methods than were currently available. The world’s technologies were moving on faster than the watch world — and Leon was taking notice.

The master watchmaker wanted to create watches and timing instruments of superior accuracy that could be used for everything from industry to sports. So he pushed his company to gain patents for some of the biggest progressions in chronographs and sports watches. Breitling’s Takeoff In the Aviation Industry. Aviation was already starting to blossom back when Léon founded Breitling. He saw great potential in the new industry and hoped to play a pivotal role in its development.

Léon’s original ambitions for Breitling would finally be realized through the work of his grandson. In 1936, Willy introduced Breitling on-board flight chronographs. These sturdy instruments were swiftly adopted by dozens of airlines. Shortly after, during World War II, these aircraft chronographs would cement Breitling’s historic ties to aviation. Many armed forces, including the Royal Air Force, equipped their aiplane cockpits with Breitling chronographs. The company has been designated as an official supplier for the Royal Air Force ever since. Chronograph watches have a “stopwatch” function, enabling the precise measurement of time intervals. You can learn more about chronographs on our “What Is A Chronograph?” page.

Chronograph timepieces used in science, industry, and sports need to be especially precise, accurate, and durable. To create professional-grade chronographs for these disciplines, manufacturers must employ the most highly-skilled watchmakers and the finest materials. Under Léon’s leadership, Breitling chronographs became widely esteemed for precision and reliability. By 1892, customer demand for Breitling watches necessitated a move to a larger headquarters. Breitling then relocated to La Chaux-de-Fonds in Neuchâtel, a booming watchmaking hub both at the time and today. So, Breitling was already making its name as a trusted supplier of high quality chronographs. However, the company had its sights set on an even loftier goal. Breitling aimed to truly revolutionize chronograph design for maximum functionality and convenience. “Cosmonaute” Navitimer – First Wristwatch In Space. In 1961, NASA astronaut Scott Carpenter asked Breitling to design a Navitimer with a 24-hour dial.

Carpenter was about to make history as part of Project Mercury, the first American manned spaceflight program. In space, he wouldn’t be able to distinguish between night and day without a 24-hour clock. Breitling readily agreed and created the “Cosmonaute” Navitimer, which Carpenter wore during his 1962 flight upon the Aurora 7. Thus, Breitling was among the first Swiss watchmakers in space, preceded by TAG Heuer by only a few months.