In 1884 Louis Breitling opened his workshop in La Chaux de Fonds with the intention of producing chronographs and timing devices for the newly-patented internal combustion engine (by Daimler in Germany) and Karl Benz’ first practical gasoline-powered automobile. Son Gaston created a wrist chronometer for the artillery when the first World War started, and grandson Willy designed a dashboard chronograph for airplanes.

Breitling created the Navitimer, which became its international trademark and was loved by pilots, in 1952. Ten years later a newer version, the Cosmonaute, was produced and accompanied astronaut Scott Carpenter into space.