The Breitling family tradition of achievement in quality and accuracy in timekeeping has continued for nearly a full century. Early on, L. Breitling and his son and successor, Gaston Breitling, developed and built the very first wrist chronograph. Willy Breitling, the founder's grandson, later modified and improved the modern chronograph.

The early Breitling chronographs featured both center chronograph seconds as well as a 30 minute totalizer. Breitling was awarded a patent in 1923 for inventing the independent pushpiece, and another in 1926 for the 1/10 second totalizer.

In 1934 Willy Breitling launched the modern chronograph with his invention of the second, return-to-zero pushpiece. The chronograph as we know it was complete. To this day, this style of chronograph remains one of Breitling's best selling timepieces.

Breitling persists in maintaining its mission to improve and redefine itself. Breitling watches are available in steel, precious metals, or titanium, with a myriad of dial treatments, straps and bracelets: Not to mention the many different and highly specialized features from alarms to emergency transmitters. Breitling remains poised for the 21st century and beyond as a force in precision timekeeping.