Premier

PREMIER

NAVITIMER

AVI CO-PILOT

SUPEROCEAN

TOP TIME

CHRONOMAT

PROFESSIONAL

FROM PURPOSE TO STYLE

In the 1940s, as the Second World War drew to a close, Willy Breitling—himself a man of impeccable taste—sensed that the world was ready for a return to elegance. After years of sacrifice, people longed to reclaim beauty, refinement, and joy. Until then, Breitling had been focused on technical chronographs designed for pilots and professionals. But Willy saw something new on the horizon: the chronograph, reimagined not as a tool, but as a symbol of style. That vision became the foundation for a bold new collection made for a more glamorous era.

1943

PREMIER

Debuting in 1943, the Premier collection—named for the French word “first”—marked Breitling’s pioneering foray into style-driven watches. Crafted in solid gold or stainless steel, with sizes ranging from 32 mm to a sportier 38 mm, Premier watches catered to active, style-conscious individuals. The collection balanced elegance with sportiness, extending Breitling’s reputation beyond aviation into the world of refined everyday wear.

{generated} Vintage 1943 illustration showing a penguin presenting a Breitling chronograph on leather strap to convey refined style.

Discover the timepieces that defined us

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier Huit ref 765 Venus 178 chronograph with black dial and brown leather strap shown frontally

Premier Huit ref. 765
Cal. Venus 178

1943

38,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref.782 Venus 175 chronograph with black dial, gold accents and brown leather strap viewed frontally

Premier ref. 782
Cal. Venus 175

1943

35,2 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier ref.754 Valjoux R69 with square silver case, detailed chronograph dial and black leather strap

Premier ref. 754
Cal. Valjoux R69

1944

27 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier Fantaisies ref.780 Venus 175 with gold case, cream dial and brown leather strap

Premier Fantaisies ref. 780
Cal. Venus 175

1944

35,2 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier Huit ref.734 Venus 178 vintage watch with brown dial, chronograph subdials and tan leather strap.

Premier Huit ref. 734
Cal. Venus 178

1945

37,1 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier ref. 777 Venus 175 chronograph with cream dial, twin counters and a tan leather strap.

Premier ref. 777
Cal. Venus 175

1945

37,4 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref. 777 Venus 175 with a gold case, black dial and leather strap shown on a simple white background

Premier ref. 777
Cal. Venus 175

1945

37,4 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref.790 Venus 150 watch featuring a beige dial, twin subdials and a tan leather strap in a clear front view

Premier ref. 790
Cal. Venus 150

1945

35,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref.790 Venus 150 watch with a gold case, cream dial and brown leather strap shown in a centred view.

Premier ref. 790
Cal. Venus 150

1945

35,0 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier ref.760 Venus 175 chronograph featuring a cream dial, twin subdials and a tan leather strap displayed.

Premier ref. 760
Cal. Venus 175

1945

35,0 mm

{generated} Vintage gold Breitling Premier ref.753 Valjoux R69 chronograph featuring three subdials and a refined gold mesh strap.

Premier ref. 788
Cal. Venus 152

1946

36,2 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier Fantaisies ref.781 Venus 175 with gold dial, dual subdials and brown leather strap

Premier Fantaisies ref. 781
Cal. Venus 175

1946

37,9 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier ref.753 Valjoux R69 shown as a gold chronograph watch with a cream dial and linked bracelet

Premier (for ladies)
ref. 753
Cal. Valjoux R69

1946

29,5 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier Ref. 765 Venus 178 with gold‑toned dial and brown leather strap shown in a front‑facing view.

PREMIER REF. 765
Cal. VENUS 178

1947

38,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier AOPA ref.765 watch with black dial, three subdials and a steel mesh strap shown in a clean front view

Premier AOPA ref. 765
Cal. Venus 178

1966

38,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier Huit ref. 765 Venus 178 chronograph with dark dial and brown leather strap shown in detailed product view

Premier Huit ref. 765
Cal. Venus 178

1943

38,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref.782 Venus 175 with a black dial, gold markers and a brown leather strap set against a white backdrop

Premier ref. 782
Cal. Venus 175

1943

35,2 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier ref.754 Valjoux R69 with square silver dial, blue accents and black leather strap shown centred.

Premier ref. 754
Cal. Valjoux R69

1944

27 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier Fantaisies ref.780 Venus 175 shown with a gold case, cream dial, and brown leather strap.

Premier Fantaisies ref. 780
Cal. Venus 175

1944

35,2 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier Huit ref. 734 Venus 178 vintage watch with brown dial, steel case and tan leather strap shown front view

Premier Huit ref. 734
Cal. Venus 178

1945

37,1 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref.777 Venus 175 shown front-on with vintage cream dial, twin subdials and a tan leather strap.

Premier ref. 777
Cal. Venus 175

1945

37,4 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref. 777 Venus 175 presented with a gold case, black dial, and black leather strap on white

Premier ref. 777
Cal. Venus 175

1945

37,4 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier ref.790 Venus 150 with a cream dial, subdials, and a tan leather strap set against white.

Premier ref. 790
Cal. Venus 150

1945

35,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref.790 Venus 150 shown with a gold case, cream dial, blue hands and brown leather strap in studio view

Premier ref. 790
Cal. Venus 150

1945

35,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref.760 Venus 175 vintage chronograph presented with a silver dial, dual subdials and tan leather strap

Premier ref. 760
Cal. Venus 175

1945

35,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier ref.753 Valjoux R69 vintage gold chronograph shown front-on with a gold mesh strap and detailed dial.

Premier ref. 788
Cal. Venus 152

1946

36,2 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier Fantaisies ref.781 Venus 175 gold chronograph with brown leather strap displayed front-on

Premier Fantaisies ref. 781
Cal. Venus 175

1946

37,9 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier ref.753 Valjoux R69 displayed with gold case, cream dial, and linked bracelet on white background

Premier (for ladies)
ref. 753
Cal. Valjoux R69

1946

29,5 mm

{generated} Vintage Breitling Premier Ref. 765 Venus 178 chronograph with a gold-tone dial and brown leather strap shown in detail.

PREMIER REF. 765
Cal. VENUS 178

1947

38,0 mm

{generated} Breitling Premier AOPA ref.765 Venus 178 showcasing its black dial, tri-compax layout and steel mesh strap on white.

Premier AOPA ref. 765
Cal. Venus 178

1966

38,0 mm

{generated} Two vintage Breitling Premier chronographs with dark dials and leather straps presented against softly textured brown fabric.

DUOGRAPH

THE ULTIMATE CHRONOGRAPH COMPLICATION

Building on its pioneering role in chronograph development—with the first independent pusher in 1915 and the first dual-pusher in 1934—Breitling introduced new complications to the Premier line, including the highly sophisticated Duograph split-second chronograph in 1943. Retaining the Premier’s elegant design codes, the Duograph was offered in multiple variations, with either rectangular pushers on elegant models, or round pushers for more rugged models. Available in either stainless steel or gold, it was a synthesis of style and technical excellence.

{generated} Breitling Duograph shown with a vintage advertisement, highlighting classic chronograph styling and mechanical detail.

A split-second chronograph features two superimposed chronograph hands—one that can be stopped to measure an intermediate time while the other continues running. Once the intermediate time is recorded, pressing the third pusher, located in the crown, allows the stopped hand to instantly catch up with the running one.

Today, it is regarded as one of the most challenging complications in watchmaking. In 2017, Breitling reaffirmed its expertise by introducing its first in-house split-second caliber, the Breitling Manufacture Caliber B03.

Datora

CALENDAR AND MOON PHASE

A year after the Duograph, Breitling introduced the Datora—a Premier model featuring a full calendar display. Retaining the collection’s signature elegance, the Datora offered practical complications, including date, weekday, month, and moonphase in various combinations. With a well-balanced design and refined case proportions, it was available in stainless steel or gold, seamlessly blending functionality with sophistication.