Breitling was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, specializing in precision chronographs for scientific and industrial use. By the 1910s, the brand became a leader in wrist-worn chronographs, introducing the first independent pusher for start/stop functions in 1915. In 1934, Breitling patented the second pusher for resetting, creating the modern chronograph layout. The brand gained fame in aviation with iconic models like the Navitimer (1952), featuring a slide rule for pilots. Financial struggles in the 1970s led to quartz models, but Ernest Schneider revived the company in 1979, emphasizing mechanical chronographs. Today, Breitling is known for its aviation heritage, robust tool watches, and COSC-certified movements, blending tradition with innovation under CEO Georges Kern since 2017.