Every wristwatch fan in the world knows that Switzerland is the place where it all started. The Breitling watch company is no exception. In 1884, Leon Breitling decided to take his dream for quality-crafted precision timepieces to the next level. He founded his company with the specific purpose of developing chronographs and counters for scientific applications.

However, his brand became so popular in just a few short years that Breitling was forced to relocate to La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1892, due to massive growth. This was the Mecca of the watch world, and Leon held on until 1914, when he passed away and left his company in the hands of his son Gaston.

The younger Breitling picks up where his father left off, and only a short year later, Breitling released their first chronograph wristwatch. Gaston would continue to make varied important developments as a watchmaker.

He even supplied the first wristwatch instruments to aviators. Breitling developed the first independent chronograph push piece in 1923, and in 1934, Gaston's son, Willy Breitling, took control of the company and added a second push piece to the classic watch, enabling cumulative or incremental recording (current configuration). Two years later, Breitling became the official watch supplier of the Royal Air Force.

During the 1940s, Breitling went overseas with their timepieces and supplied the American armed forces with watches. Willy moved the company into the future and created the “Navitimer,” a wristwatch with an integrated navigation computer in 1954.

This chronograph would be the first worn by pilots all around the globe. Even astronaut Scott Carpenter wore the Breitling “Cosmonaute” chronograph during an orbital flight in 1962. The brand continued to work towards even more innovative watches over the next few years, and in 1969, they introduced a self-winding chronograph: A very impressive technical feat that represents an enormous breakthrough, not only in the Swiss watch industry, but the world.

Willy Breitling passed away 10 years later, and the company was purchased by Ernest Schneider in 1979. When Breitling launched their 100th year anniversary “Chronomat,” the watch took off instantly and would eventually become their best-seller to date.

Throughout the rest of the century, Breitling continued to push the envelope and introduced a multitude of watches ranging in style and function. In 2000, Breitling opened a new headquarters in Grenchen, Switzerland.

Breitling is still a very well-established part of the La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmakers' scene, and more importantly, the company is still a world renowned brand. After over 120 years of business, Breitling came full circle and ended up making watches where Leon Breitling first set up shop.