The Breitling Watch Source Forums

HI Everyone,

This post will probably get moved, as I am not sure where it should be placed. Its off topic, but it is related to Breitling overall.

My first post, so here goes.

Just sparing a thought for the old Breitling Factory in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland.
The Boulevard that is was originally on, or so I believe, was the Boulevard du Petit Chateau. That no longer exists according to Google Maps, but Rue du Petit Chateau does. The building they point to is actually Corom watches. Interesting & coincidental, but not what I am searching for, I think. Does not look like any building here resembles the Old Breitling Manufacturing building, with its distinctive Mansard (Maison) roof.

If I use any other keywords, I get redirected into town on the Avenue Leopold –Robert in town. This is the Natural History Museum, so not sure. With modifications I guess this building could be the same place, but it looks too big overall. Its between the Avenue des Merchandises & the Place de la Gare (railway station).

Has anyone here been there and looked for the old building? Can you advise me of where it actually is, or has it been demolished?

Curious Jim

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Jim

"You have Control".

Well Breitling's first location was St. Imier, they didn't move to La Chaux de Fonds until 1892 and the address was actually 3 Rue Montbrillant which is still there.

Hi Roff,

That’s very interesting. Yes, I knew of the St Imier location and I have even found the new facility in Rue De Laser in La Chaux De Fonds, as well as the Head Office in Grenchen (love the Spitfire on the roof). Tapping in Montbrillant keeps taking me to Geneve, so I gave up. The fact of 3 Rue Montbrillant is one I will now explore and I am much indebted to you for it.

Many thanks for your expert knowledge and the heads up.

Regards

Jim

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

The Avenue Léopold-Robert is the main avenue of the city and the major one that crosses it from north to south. Maybe that is why Google Maps directs you to it. They must not have that many street names of La Chaux-de-Fonds which is quite small. One part of the Avenue Léopold-Robert , southbound is called avenue du Locle because it goes, well, to Le Locle. Northbound, towards St. Imier, it is also called Rue Fritz-Courvoisier.

It is on this avenue that was celebrated in June this year the 100-years of the birth of Louis Chevrolet with over 1'000 Chevys present.

The Natural History Museum was opened as such in 1972, having been a college prior to that. It is situated on Avenue Léopold-Robert 63.

As for the Spit at Granges (French for Grenchen) it is, unfortunately, a fake.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

you sure that spitfire is fake? to looks like a real plane that his just been gutted to me, but the shell looks pretty real, i looked at it person a few months ago. the tunnel to the back building under the brian tracks is pretty cool.

i have been to the NEW building in la cheau de fonds, but not the old one, i think they kind of points out where it was as we ant by, but didn't see it in person.

Yes, the roof top was not prepared for such a weight. But they keep it in as good a shape as possible.

And yes, I totally agree that the tunnel is cool.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

so the shell is real?

Probably. My guess is it's the former Supermarine of the Breitling Fighters.

As is the case for the ex-Italian Air Force StarFighter that can be seen on the roundabout down the road from HQ and dubbed Starfighters.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Breitlin ... 3f6d10d630

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

its like a mile from the hq, right in front of that airport, right?

Correct.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

Thank you all for your help.

It has been absolutely fabulous to read the posts. Wow, so much info on La Chaux De Fonds and Breitlings past.

Yes, Rue Monbrillant 3 is the correct address as pointed out by Roff. You can see it quite clearly in Google Street View, however I have noticed that not all streets are covered by Google in Switzerland, so you have to rely on static shots. This is the case for the old Breitling factory. Its up near the Petit Chateau, so perhaps the road here was originally the Boulevard du Petit Chateau and maybe at some stage, it got a name change in honour of its most famous inhabitant. Sounds good anyway.

Regards & Thank You.

Jim

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".