Breitling
For pilots and others in love with flight, no brand is more closely associated with the world of aviation than Breitling. From the beginning, watchmaker Léon Breitling, who opened his shop in the Swiss Jura Mountains in 1884, was focused on chronographs and their uses in the burgeoning fields of sports, science and industry.
After Léon’s death, in 1914, his son Gaston continued along his father’s trajectory. An early fan of aeronautics, Gaston introduced one of the first wrist-worn chronographs, a welcome upgrade for pilots used to executing complex maneuvers while juggling a pocket watch.
In 1934, Gaston’s son Willy made another leap in the chronograph’s evolution, patenting the first wristwatch with two pushers — one to start and stop elapsed time and one to reset — a feature now taken for granted.
But perhaps the most significant development under Willy’s leadership was the Chronomat watch. Introduced in 1942, it featured a patented rotating slide-rule bezel for making calculations on the fly. This innovation led to the 1952 creation of the brand’s signature timepiece: the Breitling Navitimer.
Designed in partnership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, it was adopted as the official watch of the AOPA in 1959 and remains the world’s most iconic pilot’s watch. Not content to rule just the air, Breitling developed dive watches as well, including the Superocean, released in 1957, and the Transocean, which followed in 1958. The house also took its show on the road, producing dashboard clocks and then watches in partnership with luxury automaker Bentley.
The Navitimer, however, still reigns supreme among pilots everywhere. Given the stature earned by Top Gun since its release — as well as the excitement around Top Gun: Maverick — it's never too late to pick up a vintage Breitling Top Gun Navitimer, displaying the official logo of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, for yourself or your favorite wingman.
Find a range of Breitling watches on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $4,072 |
| Styles |
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21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Breitling
Copper, Steel, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Breitling
Silver
2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Breitling
1870s Swiss Antique Breitling
Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Breitling
Stainless Steel
1950s Vintage Breitling
21st Century and Contemporary Breitling
Steel
2010s Breitling
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Breitling jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021As the name suggests, the Breitling Emergency watch has an integrated antenna system and is used in emergency situations. When the beacon is activated, the watch broadcasts a distress signal of approximately 100 miles and remains operational for 48 hours unless turned off. Find a wide range of vintage Breitling watches on 1stDibs.
- Is Breitling Colt a good watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Breitling's streamlined and minimalistic Colt watch is a good watch for everyday. Though it's not considered a luxury watch, it is a great option for anyone interested in a functional sports watch.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Breitling watches are so special due to their precise timekeeping, and this precision is why no brand is more closely associated with the world of aviation than Breitling. Since the founding of the watchmaker in 1884, Breitling has developed innovations to make its watches more accurate and easy for pilots to use. An example is the Chronomat watch. Introduced in 1942, it featured a patented rotating slide-rule bezel for making calculations on the fly. This innovation led to the 1952 creation of the brand’s signature timepiece: the Breitling Navitimer. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association adopted the Navitimer as its official watch in 1959, and it remains the world’s most iconic pilot’s watch to this day. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Breitling watches.
- Does Bentley make Breitling?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Bentley does not make Breitling watches. However, the luxury automaker has collaborated with the Swiss watchmaker to produce timepieces in the past. You can find a range of Breitling watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Yes, many people consider Breitling watches to be luxury. Breitling is associated with quality workmanship and luxe materials all over the world, and the price of its timepieces at retail reflect that reputation. From the beginning, watchmaker Léon Breitling, who opened his shop in the Swiss Jura Mountains in 1884, was focused on chronographs and their uses in the burgeoning fields of sports, science and industry. Shop a collection of Breitling watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023No, Breitling doesn’t use natural diamonds in their watches as of the fall of 2022. At that time, the luxury watchmaker switched from gemstones sourced from nature to artisanal laboratory-made diamonds. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Breitling watches from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, anyone can buy Breitling’s Emergency watch. This watch is one of Brietling’s masterpieces and includes an internal locator beacon which can send a distress signal to local emergency services. Shop a collection of properly vetted Breitling watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.