In 1821 King Louis
XVIII requested a device that would allow him to determine the exact length of
the horse races he frequently enjoyed. Shortly
thereafter, a man named Nicolas Rieussec invented the first commercialized
chronograph, derived from the Greek words for time and for writing. Though Rieussec is widely credited with the
invention of the chronograph, the first mechanism of this variety was created in
1776 by a man named Jean-Moyez Pouzait as a means to record the flights of
projectiles. This model utilized a small
pen attached to the index that would mark the watch dial. The length of the mark recorded signified the
length of time that had passed—a far cry from the modern analog and digital
chronographs employed today.
In 1884, Leon Breitling
opened a workshop in Switzerland
exclusively devoted to the development of chronographs and timers. The workshop produced a number of significant
improvements to the device, including the first chronograph operated by an
independent push-piece in 1915. In 1923,
Breitling further advanced the use of the push-piece by separating the reset
from the start/stop functions, and later adding a second push-piece for this
purpose—a staple in chronograph design today.
This advancement allowed the chronograph to time several events
consecutively without resetting the watch hands to zero, a feature that proved
particularly useful for timing sports competitions and flights.
Breitling boasts
perhaps the most significant chronograph milestone in 1969 with the production of the
first self-winding chronograph. Other
highlights include the first mechanical chronograph, incorporated in their best-selling
Chronomat series, and the Caliber 01, the most accurate self-winding
chronograph currently on the market, manufactured completely in house by
Breitling workshops. Due to their innovations in precise, dependable movements and
timers essential to piloting and aerospace expeditions,
Breitling has been named the official supplier of world aviation timepieces. In 1962, Breitling’s Navitimer became the
first wrist chronograph to travel in space, accompanying Scott Carpenter on his
flight in the Aurora
7 capsule. Breitling is the only major watch brand that includes
chronometer-certified movements in all of its models and is one of the last
independently-owned Swiss watch companies remaining. Check
out Jomashop’s extensive collection of authentic, brand new Breitling here, most
between 20-30% off!
No comments:
Post a Comment