The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Breitling Replica is without a doubt a heavyweight in the luxury watch world. The watch brand, which is primarily dedicated to aviation, has a long, exciting history and is very popular among watch lovers, collectors and beginners. Together with you, we will take a look at the exciting history and the most important models and tell you everything you need to know about the watch brand with the capital B.
The history of Breitling
The Breitling brand was founded in 1884 by Leon Breitling and is best known for pilot’s watches, which usually have a large diameter and detailed dials. Quite early in the company’s history, Breitling focused on the development of chronographs, which would later become the focus of the luxury watch manufacturer. As early as 1936, Breitling supplied the Royal Force with on-board clocks for their aircraft, and later the US Army Air Force was equipped with today’s Breitling icons such as the Breitling Chronomat and the Breitling Navitimer. Over time, Breitling has continually expanded its range; the watch brand now offers a variety of pilot, diving and all-rounder watches in various sizes and colors, including some with a combination of analog and digital displays. Breitling has been led by Georges Kern since 2017. The new managing director has now become the face of Breitling and has long since breathed a breath of fresh air into the traditional brand.
Breitling: watch icons
Breitling is responsible for some of the most iconic pilot watches of all time. In 1942, the Swiss watch brand first released the Breitling Chronomat – a hand-wound chronograph with a slide rule. The distinctive model is considered the forerunner of the legendary Breitling Navitimer, which was introduced ten years later and, thanks to an even more complex bezel, even made complex calculations such as fuel consumption, climb and descent rates and average speeds possible. Both the Breitling Chronomat and the Breitling Navitimer are still part of the Breitling portfolio today and are very popular. The Breitling Superocean proves that the luxury watch manufacturer can do more than just make successful pilot watches. The diving watch was introduced in 1958, can still be found in the current Breitling collection today and is one of the luxury watch manufacturer’s most popular models. Anyone looking for the perfect symbiosis of tooly design and luxury feeling will really enjoy the Breitling Chronomat GMT in a pleasing 40 mm. Other popular models are the Breitling Premier, which comes as a slightly more elegant chronograph, and the Breitling Datora, which can probably be understood as Breitling’s dress watch. With the Breitling Emergency, Breitling even has a truly exotic watch on offer that has already saved several people in emergency situations. I would like to end this short model overview with the Breitling Avenger, which is available as both a three-hand watch and a chronograph. The pilot’s watch is at least as iconic and popular as the Breitling Chronomat and the Breitling Navitimer and was recently redesigned. A look at the current Breitling portfolio shows how varied the luxury watch manufacturer’s model range is.
Prices: Is Breitling suitable for beginners?
Even though Breitling is primarily known for complicated watches, the luxury watch manufacturer has developed into a beginner-friendly watch brand, especially in recent years. Breitling also knows how to impress in terms of quality. The watches are well made and leave nothing to be desired. Although the manufacturer also uses refined third-party movements for one or another model, iconic models such as the Breitling Navitimer have a manufactured movement. The B01 caliber is particularly popular, which is not only used in Breitling classics, but is also made available to other renowned watch brands; The popular Tudor Black Bay Chrono also uses a B01 caliber. The list prices for the most popular Breitling watches are between EUR 4,500 and EUR 9,000. Popular models such as the Breitling Navitimer and the Breitling Chronomat are quite stable in value as long as you buy them on the secondary market. The latest version of the Breitling Navitimer B01 43 on a steel bracelet has a list price of EUR 9,150, but on the secondary market the popular watch can be had for around EUR 7,000 when unworn. Although you have to expect slightly higher service costs due to the abundance of complicated watches, overall Breitling is a great watch brand even for beginners.
Breitling: the reputation of the brand
Breitling stands for brutal, robust and masculine watches that feel particularly comfortable in the air, but the broad Breitling portfolio proves that this is only half the story. Although aviation enthusiasts in particular will find their true watch paradise at Breitling, thanks to successful all-rounder watches like the Breitling Chronomat GMT 40 and diving watches like the Breitling Superocean, the luxury watch manufacturer now has the right timepiece for every taste – including even some successful women’s watches Don’t be afraid to come with stone trimmings. Breitling also takes the issue of sustainability seriously: The manufacturer is responsible for the first environmentally friendly, foldable and reusable watch box made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and supports numerous projects and organizations that are dedicated to the well-being of our planet.
Breitling and the rivalry with Rolex
Where Breitling is, Rolex is not far away, because just like the aviation expert, its competitor Rolex is also a heavyweight in the watch world. The two luxury watch brands could hardly be more different: Where Breitling can be considered the king of aviation, Rolex is undoubtedly unbeatable when it comes to water. But there are also similarities that cannot be ignored. Both watch brands have an exciting history, both are responsible for some of the most iconic watches of all time and both have a wide range of models with which they vie for the attention of buyers. Given the multitude of high-quality classics, it is hardly surprising that both rivals are among the world’s most popular watch brands and watch fans repeatedly draw comparisons between the two rivals. Find out who comes out on top in our ultimate comparison between Breitling and Rolex.