In 2024, Breitling celebrated 140 years of innovation and tradition. Luxus Magazine has therefore dedicated the new Success Story section of its Spring 2025 print edition to the famous Swiss watchmaker founded in 1884 in Saint-Imier. In addition to CEO Georges Kern, we were able to interview Gianfranco Gentile, Head of Heritage at Breitling, in an exclusive interview that we are pleased to share with you here.
Gianfranco Gentile joined Breitling in 2023 and is Global Head of Heritage for Breitling and Universal Genève. He coordinates all activities related to the archives of the two watchmaking houses and is responsible for the development and installation of the Breitling Museum in Zurich and the curation of the Breitling 140th anniversary traveling exhibition.
This guardian of Breitling’s time and history reveals how to showcase the legacy of a company that is inextricably linked to the spirit of adventure and the first aviators. Interview.
Luxus Magazine: Breitling celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2024. How would you define its pioneering vision?
Gianfranco Gentile: Breitling’s pioneering spirit is deeply rooted in our history of innovation and precision watchmaking. We invented the modern chronograph, equipped the first pilot’s watch with a flight computer integrated into a circular slide rule, sent the first Swiss wristwatch into space, and created the first diving chronograph.
Interview firstly published in Luxus Magazine N°10, conducted and transcribed by Anthony Conan
Web adaptation (additional main head and introductory note) by Victor Gosselin
Click here to read the full article on Luxus Magazine
Featured photo: © Breitling
