For pilots and others in love with flight, no brand is more closely associated with the world of aviation than Breitling. From the beginning, watchmaker Léon Breitling, who opened his shop in the Swiss Jura Mountains in 1884, was focused on chronographs and their uses in the burgeoning fields of sports, science and industry.
After Léon’s death, in 1914, his son Gaston continued along his father’s trajectory. An early fan of aeronautics, Gaston introduced one of the first wrist-worn chronographs, a welcome upgrade for pilots used to executing complex maneuvers while juggling a pocket watch.
In 1934, Gaston’s son Willy made another leap in the chronograph’s evolution, patenting the first wristwatch with two pushers — one to start and stop elapsed time and one to reset — a feature now taken for granted.
But perhaps the most significant development under Willy’s leadership was the Chronomat watch. Introduced in 1942, it featured a patented rotating slide-rule bezel for making calculations on the fly. This innovation led to the 1952 creation of the brand’s signature timepiece: the Breitling Navitimer.
Designed in partnership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, it was adopted as the official watch of the AOPA in 1959 and remains the world’s most iconic pilot’s watch. Not content to rule just the air, Breitling developed dive watches as well, including the Superocean, released in 1957, and the Transocean, which followed in 1958. The house also took its show on the road, producing dashboard clocks and then watches in partnership with luxury automaker Bentley.
The Navitimer, however, still reigns supreme among pilots everywhere. Given the stature earned by Top Gun since its release — as well as the excitement around Top Gun: Maverick — it's never too late to pick up a vintage Breitling Top Gun Navitimer, displaying the official logo of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, for yourself or your favorite wingman.
Find a range of Breitling watches on 1stDibs.
Breitling Blackbird Limited Edition M4435911BA27
By Breitling
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 44mm Breitling Blackbird wristwatch crafted in stainless steel. Features a black dial with a date aperture, 3 subdials displaying the hours, minu...
Stainless Steel
Breitling M13380 Avenger Skyland Limited Edition 45mm Blacksteel Box Papers
By Breitling
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: M13380 Year: 2016 Model: Avenger Skyland Case Material: Black Stainless Steel Band: Black Rubber Bezel: Black Stainless Steel Dial: Black Face: Sapphire Crystal Case ...
Stainless Steel
Breitling Colt A17313 41mm Stainless Steel Box Paper
By Breitling
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: A17313 Year: 2018 Model: Breitling Colt Case Material: Stainless Steel Dial: White Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: Stainless Steel Face: Sapph...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Breitling Colt Wristwatch Ref A17388. 44mm Case, Stainless Steel, Year c2010
By Breitling
Located in Canterbury, England
Our sporting Breitling Colt, reference A17388, automatic with date boasts a 44mm stainless steel case and stainless steel bracelet with flip lock clasp. Presented in superb condition...
Breitling Emergency Mission A73321 Stainless Steel Silver Dial Quartz Watch
By Breitling
Located in Miami, FL
Breitling Emergency Mission quartz chronograph wristwatch in stainless steel featuring integrated 121.5 MHz emergency transmitter and silver dial with luminous Arabic numerals. Refer...
Stainless Steel
Breitling Jupiter Pilot A59028 Stainless Steel Black Dial Quartz Watch
By Breitling
Located in Miami, FL
Breitling Jupiter Pilot quartz chronograph wristwatch in stainless steel featuring 42mm case with signature slide-rule bezel and black dial with three subdials. Reference A59028, alarm function, date display, luminous markers and hands, stainless steel bracelet, shows visible wear consistent with fair condition. Product Specifications: Item Type: Aviation Chronograph Alarm Watch Brand: Breitling Jupiter Pilot Reference: A59028 Metal: Stainless Steel Case Size: 42mm Dial: Black with Silver Subdials Indices: Luminous Baton Markers Bezel Type: Bidirectional Rotating Slide-Rule Bezel Color: Stainless Steel Movement: Breitling Quartz...
Stainless Steel
$2,919
W 1.7 in L 1.86 in
Breitling Colt Superocean Ref. A17040 Mens Diver Automatic Stainless Steel Watch
By Breitling
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
$2,644
W 1.74 in Dm 1.74 in L 1.7 in
Breitling Colt – Automatic – 44mm – Full Set – Recently Serviced – 2006
By Breitling
Located in London, GB
Breitling Colt – Automatic – 44mm – Full Set – Recently Serviced – 2006 A recently serviced, fine example of the Breitling Colt Automatic, this piece is retail‑ready and presented i...
Breitling Avenger II GMT Black Dial Custom Diamond Bezel Mens Watch A32390
By Breitling
Located in New York, NY
Breitling Avenger II GMT Black Dial Custom Diamond Bezel Mens 43mm Watch A32390.
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Breitling Avenger II reference A13381, 43mm Stainless Steel, Year 2020
By Breitling
Located in Canterbury, England
Our Breitling Avenger II reference A13381 features a distinctive 43mm stainless steel case with rotating bezel, black dial, and desirable stainless steel bracelet. This example is pr...
Breitling Titanium Aerospace
By Breitling
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: quartz Function: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, alarm, GMT Case: round 40mm case, timing bezel, sapphire crystal, Breitling engraved case-back, screw-down crow...
Titanium
Breitling Black Steel TransOcean Chronograph Unitime Pilot 46mm
By Breitling
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, B05 Function: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, GMT, 24-Hour city timezone, AM/PM Case: round 46mm black stainless steel case, smooth bezel Bracelet: b...
Stainless Steel
Breitling Breitlight Professional Endurance Pro 44mm
By Breitling
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: super quartz, Cal 82 Function: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph Case: 44mm round breitlight case, compass bezel Bracelet: yellow rubber, black breitlight buckle ...
Breitling Stainless Steel Super Ocean Heritage Chronograph 44mm Silver Dial
By Breitling
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, Cal. 23 Function: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph Case: round 44mm black stainless steel case, smooth black aluminum timing bezel Bracelet: black rubb...
Stainless Steel
Breitling Stainless Steel Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46mm
By Breitling
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, B01 Function: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph Case: 46mm stainless steel case, slide rule bezel Bracelet: black leather strap with stainless steel dep...
Stainless Steel
Breitling Stainless Steel Chrono-Matic 49mm
By Breitling
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, Cal 19 Function: hours, minutes, seconds, perpetual calendar Case: 49mm round stainless steel case, black rubber bezel Bracelet: black leather, stainless steel ...
Stainless Steel
