Abbady Watch Archive

Breitling

Léon Breitling founded a workshop specializing in chronographs and precision counters in 1884. Successive generations refined independent chronograph pushers, cockpit instruments, and wrist chronographs; the Navitimer’s circular slide rule and the Superocean dive line made professional aviation and sport central to the brand.

Abbady photographic archive

Breitling photographs

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Chronomat GMT with black-and-green dial, red GMT hand and steel Rouleaux-style bracelet.

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Superocean dive watch with white dial, blue rotating bezel and stainless-steel bracelet.

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Chronomat GMT with deep green dial, red GMT hand and polished steel bracelet.

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Navitimer-style automatic watch with black dial, circular slide-rule scale and steel bracelet.

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Superocean Heritage automatic diver with black dial, black bezel and steel mesh bracelet.

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Navitimer chronograph with silver dial, black subdials and brown leather strap.

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Navitimer GMT chronograph with blue-and-white dial, red accents and blue leather strap.

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Shark automatic dive watch with black dial, steel timing bezel and black leather strap.

Breitling archive photograph — Breitling Navitimer chronograph photographed on a wooden surface with brown leather strap.

Archive information

Origins and period

Saint-Imier, Switzerland; later La Chaux-de-Fonds and Grenchen
Founded by Léon Breitling in 1884

Historical overview

Breitling in watchmaking

Léon Breitling founded a workshop specializing in chronographs and precision counters in 1884. Successive generations refined independent chronograph pushers, cockpit instruments, and wrist chronographs; the Navitimer’s circular slide rule and the Superocean dive line made professional aviation and sport central to the brand.

Archive information

Known for

Chronomat, Navitimer, Superocean, Top Time, Emergency, aviation instruments, chronograph development, and the modern manufacture Calibre B01.

Historical development

Léon Breitling founded a workshop specializing in chronographs and precision counters in 1884. Successive generations refined independent chronograph pushers, cockpit instruments, and wrist chronographs; the Navitimer’s circular slide rule and the Superocean dive line made professional aviation and sport central to the brand.