"The design, inspired by tradition but with a touch of modern class, embodies some of Breitling's most famous innovations, revisiting the brand's legacy that gave birth to the modern chronograph. It is truly our most precious legacy," said Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, about the new Premier Heritage collection, which pays tribute to the brand's true Founder Squad: three generations of men who changed the history of timekeeping and made Breitling what it is today. Léon Breitling founded the company in 1884. Later, he patented a simple timer/tachymeter capable of measuring any speed between 15 and 150 km/h: an invention that was introduced in the Vitesse pocket watch of 1906. In 1915, his son Gaston created one of the first wrist chronographs with an independent push-button at 2 o'clock: this innovation allowed the start, stop and reset functions to be separated from the crown, making sports timekeeping much more practical. Finally, in 1934, Willy, Léon's nephew, patented the second independent chronograph pushpiece at 4 o'clock. Willy Breitling had realised that people wished to display a touch of charm and elegance. Thus, in the 1940s, the Premier collection was born, Breitling's first step in combining a decisive character with an elegant soul. As Willy observed: "When a man wears his watch, he carries with him the unmistakable imprint of impeccable taste". The latest generation of Prtemier, called Premier Heritage, seeks to breathe new life into this timeless elegance. The collection houses six models divided into three categories: the Chronograph, the Duograph and the Datora. They all sport Arabic numerals, vintage-inspired hands and semi-glossy crocodile straps with tone-on-tone stitching. In addition, they are all powered by COSC-certified manufacture chronometer movements and are water-resistant to 10 atmospheres. The Premier Heritage Chronograph is driven by the Breitling manufacture calibre B09, a hand-wound mechanical movement (like its illustrious predecessors from the 1940s) inspired by the Breitling manufacture calibre 01, and is available in two versions: with a pistachio green dial enclosed in a 40 mm steel case, or with a silvered dial and an 18K red gold case (also 40 mm). The Premier Heritage Duograph, on the other hand, is available with a blue dial and a 42 mm steel case or with a black dial and an 18-carat red gold case, also 42 mm. Its split-seconds function - one of the most elaborate in watchmaking - allows the wearer to simultaneously measure two time intervals, thanks to the two superimposed chronograph hands. It is powered by the hand-wound Breitling manufacture calibre B15 (with split-seconds function), inspired by the Breitling manufacture calibre B03. Like its 1940s predecessor, the Premier Heritage Datora in its 42 mm case is distinguished by its functions, namely, in addition to the chronograph, a complete calendar and moon phases. It is powered by the Breitling manufacture calibre B25, a self-winding mechanical movement. The Datora's copper-coloured dial is framed by a 42 mm steel case, while the silver dial has an 18K red gold case (also 42 mm).
