Breitling The Book

The comprehensive new reference work on Breitling

A specialist in chronographs and technical watches, Breitling has also shared the finest hours in the conquest of the skies. For the very first time, a magnificent new publication tells the detailed story of this grand adventure so inseparably entwined with that of modern times. Based on new historical research and enlivened by more than 450 images, including numerous original documents, Breitling The Book is destined to become a must-have reference work for brand lovers, as well as for devotees of watchmaking, chronographs and aviation.

Breitling The Book describes 125 years of passion for chronographs, reminding readers of the crucial role Breitling has played in the technical development of this type of watches – from the first pocket watches created by Léon Breitling from 1884 right the way through to today’s “instruments for professionals”, and along the way the invention of the first independent pushpiece in 1915, the separation of the “stop/start” and “reset” functions in 1923, the invention of the second independent pushpiece in 1934 and the first selfwinding chronograph in 1969.

The account also highlights the close links between the brand and the aeronautical world ever since the era of the great aviation pioneers. A combination of words and pictures provide a chance to discover the famous onboard chronographs that gained Breitling a special place in airplane cockpits from the 1930s onwards and enabled it to accompany the boom in airline transport by becoming “official supplier to world aviation”. Not to mention the numerous wrist instruments intended for aviators, including the famous 1952 Navitimer that quickly became a cult model for pilots the world over.

Breitling The Book

Published at a time when Breitling has taken a decisive new step by launching its own mechanical chronograph movement, this book also outlines the chief characteristics of the new Caliber B01 which represents the culmination of a longstanding quest for excellence, performance and independence. Past, present and future thus unite in a shared momentum fueled by “the chronograph spirit, the Breitling spirit”.

Written in a lively tone, extremely well documented and presented in an original and pared-down graphic design style, Breitling The Book is available in five languages: French, English, German, Spanish or Italian. It can be ordered via the www.breitling-the-book.com website, as well as from authorized Breitling retailers.

Breitling The Book
by Hervé Genoud
336 pages, bound, 24 x 30 cm
450 black/white and color illustrations
Available in French, English, German, Spanish and Italian.