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Breitling
Watches are manufactured in the Jura Mountains at La
Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The company has been in the same
area for 110 years.
In 1884, Leon
Breitling opened a workshop making precision counters and time
keepers for scientific and industrial clients. Leon died in
1914, leaving the company to his son, Gaston. In 1915, Gaston
begins making the first wristwatch chronographs, providing
pilots with a handy wrist mounted instrument. The first
independent chronograph push piece was developed by the
company in 1923.
The third
generation, Willy Breitling takes charge in 1932. A circular
slide rule is incorporated into the 1942 Chronamat – the first
of its kind. The famous navigation computer known as the
Navitimer upgraded the wrist instrument designed for pilots
beginning in 1954. They were already known by the major
airlines as the manufacturers of cockpit clocks. The Navitimer
chronographs are still popular with pilots around the world
today.
In 1969 Breitling brings out the self-winding chronograph.
Some histories claim a collaboration between Zenith and Movado
were first with the “El primero.” Though the idea for self
winding watches was conceived in 1770, they were not reliable
until the late 1950’s. The introduction of the self-winding
chronograph changed the entire industry.
The era of Breitling owners end in 1979 when former pilot
Ernest Schneider takes the helm.
As with many
products, there are numerous fakes or counterfeit Breitling
chronographs in the market. Breitling addresses this problem
with a pop-up on their website. “Breitling products offered on
the web are counterfeits, second-hand watches, or are of
doubtful origin. They are not covered by any warranty. The
Breitling International warranty and an after-sales service in
line with Breitling’s quality requirements are offered
exclusively to consumers in possession of a watch purchased
from an authorized Breitling dealer. Breitling S.A. and its
distributors decline all responsibility for any product
carrying the Breitling name that may have been purchased on
the Internet.”
Breitling’s
famous models
Chronamat
incorporates the first circular slide rule and is still the
best seller.
Navitimer
includes a navigation computer – the favorite of pilots across
the globe.
Professional
Emergency includes a built in micro transmitter, enabling the
wearer to send a signal for help.
Other
interesting bits:
First wrist
mounted chronograph and push piece
In 1962,
Astronaut Scott Carpenter wears the Cosmonaught chronograph
during his orbital flight aboard the Aurora 7 space capsule.
Collector
Kurt Broendum is an expert on vintage Navitimers. He is well
on his way to owning the largest and most complete collection
of Navitimers in the world. You may contact him at
kurtbroendum@yahoo.com
When
purchasing a Breitling chronograph, look for an authorized
dealer. Be a knowledgeable purchaser and keep these tips in
mind.
Six tips for spotting a counterfeit watch
There are brand-specific ways to spot a
counterfeit watch, but these are a few generic tips to
identify the real vs. fake watch or chronograph.
1. First, know what you are looking at.
Have you seen examples of this before? It is tough to spot a
fake if you have not researched the real thing.
2. Using a jewelers loupe, or some form of
magnification, check the dial and any printing. Is it fuzzy or
broken? Is the ink light or faded? Is there ink where there
should be engraving?
3. Ask about the band – is it original? Is
the band a cheap synthetic or real, padded leather? Is the
metal band thin or low quality metal?
4. Look at the general quality of the
piece. Are there sharp edges, or ill-fitting screws? Are there
pins where there should be screws? Is anything not quite the
right color? If it has a jewel, is it dull or glassy?
5. Keep in mind that many high-end watch
makers do not sell their product online. Any thing you find
online has a high possibility of being either used, or fake.
Most manufacturer’s warranties will not cover secondary market
purchases.
6. Last, but most important – your father
was right. If it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
A watch that normally retails at four figures is not going to
be sold on the street corner for two hundred bucks. Your best
bet is to purchase the watch from a registered dealer of that
brand. You may pay more, but you have the security of knowing
you have the real thing..
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