Breitling Premier Chronograph, c. 1950s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Breitling Premier Chronograph, c. 1950s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Breitling (maker)
Date: c. 1950s
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 35 mm
Dealer: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York
Stock no.: 40940251
Credit line: Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40940251)
Catalogue title (original): Breitling Premier Chronograph (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40940251), this is a wristwatch by Breitling, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1950s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

When it comes to vintage chronographs, Breitling can be somewhat polarizing. While best known for their Navitimer line of aviation computer watches, some collectors find their dials too busy and difficult to read for daily wear. As a result, these chronographs don’t always get the same appreciation as some of their contemporary counterparts. We'd like to change that, and this watch, a Premier from the 1950s, is a great starting point. Breitling first started manufacturing the Premier line of chronographs as early as the 1940s. With triple chronograph registers, blued-steel hands, and a lack of the clutter found on something like the Navitimer, they're an exercise in understated elegance. In fact, one could almost say they're dress watches. This particular piece dated to circa 1950s and features a 35mm red gold case with 'holey lugs', an acrylic crystal, square pushers, and a satin silver Tritium dial with minimalist indices, radial finished sub registers, and a matching blued-steel handset. Are you drooling yet? Powered by a hand-cranking movement, this piece comes fitted to a brown suede strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a matching gold tone pin buckle. While these are not exactly scarce, finding one in excellent overall condition such as this is always a treat. Wether you're simply looking for a sharp, classic looking vintage chronograph, or are a seasoned Breitling collector, this piece makes for a great option!

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

Explore further

Sources & image rights

Record source: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Analog/Shift — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Breitling Premier Chronograph, c. 1950s." Analog/Shift (dealer), New York, 40940251. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/breitling-premier-chronograph-8b373e.