The sky is not the limit for Breitling
Combining tradition and innovation: as a family-run company, Breitling rose to fame to become one of the most important watch manufacturers worldwide. Under the leadership of the founder’s grandson, Willy Breitling, the manufacturer aimed for the sky. It is no surprise that Breitling’s chronographs have made a name for themselves in aviation. Launched in 1936 was a chronograph that was manufactured for aircraft cockpits and was used by numerous aircraft manufacturers. This chronograph earned Breitling a contract with the Royal Air Force as well as the United States Air Force. The Chronomat presented in 1947, as well as its sophisticated successor, the Navitimer, helped Breitling become firmly established on the wrists of pilots. The circular slide rule has been a main feature of the Navitimer to this.
Launched in 1936 was a chronograph that was manufactured for aircraft cockpits and was used by numerous aircraft manufacturers. This chronograph earned Breitling a contract with the Royal Air Force as well as the United States Air Force. The Chronomat presented in 1947, as well as its sophisticated successor, the Navitimer, helped Breitling become firmly established on the wrists of pilots. The circular slide rule has been a main feature of the Navitimer and helps carry out calculations with the simple rotation of the bezel. Time, speed, distance, and fuel consumption - the Navitimer became an indispensable tool that accompanied generations of pilots.
But the Navitimer did not only attract attention in aviation: in 1962, the special model Cosmonaute accompanied Scott Carpenter, one of the seven astronauts of the legendary Project Mercury, to outer space. Carpenter asked Breitling to develop a special edition of the Navitimer with a 24-hour display for his mission so that he could read the exact time and distinguish between night and day in outer space. The sky was no longer the limit - Breitling was now reaching for the stars.