The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This may not relate to watches, but Breitling nonetheless. I realized, most of those major watch companies: JLC, Cartier, IWC, Panerai, etc. are all owned by a parent company. Is Breitling? I dont think it is (obviously, correct me if Im wrong), and just thinking that it's privately owned adds some "flair" to the company and its watches.

I'm not sure why I decided to have this topic.... but I guess it was pretty cool to know if you didn't already know that.

Hi !

Yes Breitling is privately owned yet with the global economy being what it is - it is only a matter of time before their is a major shake up in the Swiss Watch Industry.

Hopefully Breitling will remain a family business and not be swallowed by one of the major players i.e The Swatch Group, Richemont Group or any other entity.

Regards,

Enezdez

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IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

I hope the day doesn't come where Breitling is sold. I hope the family doesn't have that one or two disgruntled family members who don't care about the family name and sell the company for the ALMIGHTY dollar!!

Just to be clear 'the family' isn't the Breitling family.

The original Breitling went bust in 1978 and Ernest Schneider bought the rights to the name.

Is the production facility the same? Or was the operation moved?

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Omega21

The headquarters moved from Chaux de Fonds to Grenchen, although they aren't in the same buildings now.

Thanks Roffensian! I found the B history section under FAQ, just hadn't had a chance to look at it yet!

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Omega21

Hello Omega21, thank you for help to find the nice "Sprint"

The first Breitling Company was foundet around 1840-45 under the Grand father of Leon Breitling, called

fabrique de Horlogerie de BREITLING-LAEDERICH in CHAUDESFONDS Suisse

It was a different company, but the same brand name and the same family.

Also
G.Leon Breitling foundet in St. irmier (1884)

Leon G. Breitling S.A. Montbrillant Watch Manufactory in La Chaux de Fonds (1892)

G.Leon Breitling S.A. Compagnie des Montres in Geneve (1952)

and Breitling Montres S.A. in Grenchen (1982)

where all different companies, special the last one has nothing to do with Breitling, not the same company, even not the familiy of Breitling, no community with Breitling.

They all have only one community, same as Breitling-Laederich the grandfather of Leon Breitling, they used the brand name Breitling.

Breitling 1884 is only a marketing joke from Ernest Schneider the new user of the brand name BREITLING, because he needed a 100-year anniversary in 1984, when he introduced the new Chronomat that has nothing to do with a right Chronomat.

Yes, this is very helpful - thanks
I think Leon G. Breitling also founded the Patrouille Breitling in 1892!
Here is a nice photo of him in his early flying days

http://www.breitlingblog.com/wp-content ... jteam1.jpg

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Omega21

I had wondered about this topic as well. Thanks all for the clarification. It makes me feel like my watch is a little more special knowing Swatch doesn't have a part in Breitling.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Except for the vast majority of the movements.

Except for the vast majority of the movements.[/quote]

You are correct; I wasn't entirely clear in my post. I knew Breitling's movements are supplied by an outside vendor (except the B01, which I have), I was just happy to hear the company isn't owned by a larger entity. Good call out though, Roffensian.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000