Inspired by Breitling’s founding fathers’ inventive and pioneering spirit, the new Premier Heritage Collection is for the modern and distinguished man of impeccable taste. These stunning timepieces are the brand’s most elegant and refined models to date. The collection pays tribute to the brand’s founding squad, three generations of men who changed the history of timekeeping and built Breitling into today’s powerhouse.
Léon Breitling founded the company in 1884 and later patented a simple timer/tachymeter that could measure any speed between 12 and 150km/h, an invention featured in the 1906 Vitesse pocket watch. In 1915, his son, Gaston, created one of the first wrist-worn chronographs with an independent pusher at the 2 o’clock index. This innovation separated the start, stop, and reset functions from the crown, making it infinitely more practical for timing sports. In 1934, Léon’s grandson, Willy, followed in his ancestors’ footsteps and patented the second independent chronograph pusher at the 4 o’clock index. Furthermore, among Willy Breitling’s celebrated innovation achievements was establishing the Huit Aviation Department in 1938.
Besides being daring and tech-savvy, Willy Breitling understood people’s desire for a touch of elegance and glamour. This inspired him to design the original Premier wristwatches in the 1940s, Breitling’s initial step in linking style with purpose.
As Willy saw it, “When a man puts on his watch, it is the unmistakable stamp of impeccable taste.”
The latest generation of Premiers, Breitling’s Premier Heritage Collection, brings this timeless elegance back to life. The collection includes six watches divided into three distinctive categories: The Chronograph, The Duograph, and the Datora.
All models feature Arabic numerals, vintage-inspired hands and semi-shiny alligator straps with tone-on stitching. Every watch is a COSC- certified chronometer and water-resistant up to 100 metres.
The 40mm Premier Heritage Chronograph is wound manually, similar to its 1940’s predecessors. It is powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09, which is based on the original Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01. It comes in two variations: an eye-catching pistachio-green dial encased in stainless steel or a stately silver-coloured dial encased in 18 karat red gold.
Additionally, with stainless-steel and 18 karat red gold cases measuring 42mm, the Premier Heritage Duograph comes fitted with a blue or black dial, respectively. Its rattrapante function, one of the most elaborate in watchmaking, enables the wearer to measure two elapsed times simultaneously due to its two superimposed chronograph hands. This piece houses the mechanical hand-wound Breitling Manufacture Caliber B15, based on the Breitling Manufacture B03.
Finally, like its 1940’s predecessor, the 42mm Premier Heritage Datora stands out for its highly noticeable and complex functions, particularly its day, date, and moon-phase displays. The Manufacture Caliber B25 seamlessly powers the watches’ movement. The Datora’s copper-coloured face is framed by a stainless-steel case, while its silver-coloured dial comes in an 18 karat red gold option.