1937 Breitling Military Chronograph 'Monopoussoir' - Gilt dial - Staybrite Steel
A Fine, large and rare chronograph in great original condition.
WHY IS THIS WATCH SPECIAL
Breitling watches are known as 'Tool watches' for pilots and military use.
This chronograph dates to 1937, and it has a beautiful very well preserved overall aesthetic. It's large 37mm case (Without the crown) is rare by itself, usually watches were much smaller in these years.
THE STORY
With a history spanning over 135 years, Breitling has built a reputation for its precise chronometers and pilot watches. Their rugged and technically focused designs have withstood the test of time. As a result, they’ve created some of the most highly coveted watches in the industry. Breitling has modest roots in the mountains of Switzerland but is now a force in the luxury watch world. We take a look at Breitling’s history & iconic models.
Leon Breitling established his namesake brand in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland in 1884. The business started as a modest workshop. They specialized in chronographs and other precision watches for sports, science, and industrial purposes. After just a few short years, Breitling started to take off and outgrew its small studio. In 1892, they relocated to La Chaux de Fonds, which was the center of watchmaking at the time.
The brand’s revered founder passed away a little over a decade later. This left the business in the hands of his son, Gaston. He took note of the evolution and expansion of aviation in WWI and the need for precision tools for pilots. Soon, Gaston shifted the brand’s focus to creating pilot watches, and his work quickly paid off. In 1915, Breitling introduced its first chronograph wristwatch. The first Breitling watch was an immediate success, and Gaston continued to hone the brand’s efforts on developing pilot watches. In 1923, he released another development: the first independent chronograph push piece. This advancement separated the stop and start functions. Ultimately, it proved to be particularly useful in calculating flight times as well as timing sports competitions.
By 1932, Gaston was ready to retire but wanted to ensure the brand remained in the family. Soon, his son, Willy, took his place at the head of the company. He helped Breitling secure partnerships with both the British Royal Airforce and the United States Army. In addition, he continued to further the work of his father and grandfather by focusing on innovating the chronograph function.
In 1969, Breitling made its next groundbreaking horological advancement. They participated in a top-secret endeavor called Project 99 along with their three of their cohorts, Heuer, Burne, and Dubois-Depraz. Together, they developed the world’s first self-winding chronograph movement. This was a monumental feat not only for the brands but also for the watchmaking industry as a whole.
Just about fifteen years later in 1984, Breitling solidified its place in watchmaking history. That year, they debuted their signature chronograph: the Chronimat. The introduction of the Chronomat marked the resurgence of the mechanical chronograph following the quartz crisisof the 1970s. The model features an iconic bezel design and rider tabs. To this day, the Chronomat is one of the brand’s most highly sought after watches.
THE DATA
- Maker: Breitling
- Model: Chronographe 'Monopoussoir' Gilt dial
- Case N°: 2932XX
- Year: 1937
- Material: Stainless steel (Acier staybrite)
- Dimentions (WxHxT): 37x44x14mm
- Caliber: Manually wound
- Bracelet/Strap: Genuine leather
- Lug width: 20mm
- Box/Papers: N/A
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This chronograph is in very well preserved condition, unpolished, all the angles are sharp. The original 'Gilt' dial is in great condition. All parts are original and untouched. It has an elegant and sporty presence on the wrist an can be worn daily.
