The first ever timepiece with independent start/stop and reset buttons, etc “Chapter 2, An instrument for modern times” – First ever separate chronograph push button. The chapters run in time-line order from the dreams and aspirations of Leon Breitling, as he setting up in St Imier towards the end of the 1800’s, to the advent of the in-house B01 movement. It’s a great juxtaposition of something that has been designed to read and yet look great on the coffee table.Īfter a brief introduction by Herve Genoud, the author, we are taken through the significant historical events and timepieces from this long established brand. The edges of the book have been coloured silver. The aforementioned black “rubberised” cover is perfectly offset by a silver and white script. Visually, the exterior of the book is as impressive and well thought out as the interior. Once these small discrepancies have been realised then the book can be fully appreciated for all of its glossy pictured, in depth history catalogued, technical documentational and ornamental glory. However, I do think Breitling have tried to compensate for this because the cover has a rubber-like matt finish coating, which at least facilitates grip. I wouldn’t even attempt to try reading it on a train. This is a book that has to be read with your sitting position in mind. This can become a little fatiguing after prolonged reading, which you may easily find yourself doing. The book has a chronological order but locating the exact detail about an exact timepiece is more frustrating than it needs to be.Īlso, one warning I must offer is that this is one heavy book. This made the process of finding what I wanted to research quite difficult.
I was initially leant the book as a source of reference for an article (Thank You Sam at Andrew Michaels). One small criticism became evident almost straight away though: There is no Contents list and no Index. The attention to detail is meticulous, the materials are of the highest quality and you are left knowing you are handling something special which has had passion and enthusiasm lavished upon it. My first impression of this, quite literally, weighty tome is one of exceptional quality and design. This is a major evolution of this historically rich manufacture. Breitling are justifiably proud of this achievement. This, of course, refers to the B01 movement of which five years of development came to fruition last year when the exquisite timepiece of the same name was released. However, I have a theory about this: The final chapter in this 336 page slab of high quality paper is entitled “A movement for the future”. With an almost unprecedented history in the field of horology that Breitling have constantly aspired to specialise in, the chronograph, it is amazing that this 126 year old brand has taken this long to catalogue it’s history in such a wonderful medium as this impressively detailed book.
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