Breitling Premier Reference 788

We love a good chronograph here at Analog/Shift, and there's no denying that certain brands do them exceptionally well. 

Breitling, the storied manufacture from St. Imier, can be said to have created the genre of aviators’ chronographs—even the modern wristwatch chronograph as we know it. The brand introduced its first wrist chronograph in 1915. Their first design was a holdover from its days in the pocket, with start, stop, and reset functions being operated from the crown.

This was a primitive model that posed some difficulty—for example, there was no way to stop the chronograph and then resume timing from the same position. The wearer would have to start again from the beginning. But that would change completely in the 1930s, when Breitling changed the face of horology forever by adding a second pusher in 1934.

Now, the chronograph could be reset via the second pusher at 4 o’clock, which Breitling dubbed a “second return to zero push piece.” The move was an absolute game-changer, bringing the complication a functionality that it had never had before. Soon brands as wide-ranging as Universal Genève and Omega rushed to implement the new design. It brought Breitling notoriety from all quarters of the globe. Shortly thereafter, the manufacture attracted the attention of the world’s burgeoning air forces, becoming official suppliers to the air forces of the United Kingdom and Canada in 1936.

While perhaps best known for these aviation-inspired watches, Breitling also produced scores of other chronograph models that merit consideration.

This particular watch is a Reference 788 from the Premier line. Meant for the sporting gentleman, the Premier lacks the bells and whistles of the Navitimer, Breitling’s best-known chronograph, equipped with a slide rule. However, what the Premier lacks in complexity it more than makes up for in style.

With clean lines and an elegant silver-toned dial with richly patinated luminescent indices and hands, it’s not hard to imagine this watch on the wrist of a nattily-dressed man about town, cruising in his vintage car.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.