AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2014 - 36

PILOT BRIEFING

FIRST LOOK

Shared history inspires
Breitling partnership
Limited edition timepiece available
BREITLING, THE SWISS WATCH company, with a
deep aviation history will launch a special edition
timepiece in honor of the seventy-fifth anniversary
of AOPA. This exclusive limited edition Navitimer
features the AOPA logo on the dial, similar to the
version launched in 1954. On the caseback, AOPA
members can have their name and membership
number engraved to commemorate the anniversary and their personal aviation commitment.
A portion of proceeds from the sale of this
commemorative edition watch will go to help
grow the pilot population through the Breitling
Aviation Scholarship Fund, which will offer flight
training support for those interested in learning
to fly. The AOPA Foundation will administer this
scholarship program, available to aviation enthusiasts of all ages.
"The support from AOPA over the years represents a key part of Breitling's aviation heritage,"
said Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert, "As
the largest aviation organization of its kind, AOPA
is a diverse community of pilots, and Breitling is
thrilled to be recognizing this significant anniversary with a commemorative timepiece for AOPA
members that contributes to such a worthy cause."
The partnership between AOPA and Breitling
spans more than 60 years, when AOPA selected
the Breitling Navitimer as its official watch in 1954.
Early in its history, Breitling was recognized as
an aviator's chronograph, notably providing onboard chronographs for World War II aircraft. The
Navitimer, with a circular slide rule that enables it
to perform all necessary navigation-related calculations, is the ideal pilot's chronograph.
"We are delighted that Breitling has revived
a very special aviation tradition," said AOPA
President Mark Baker. "This is a truly unique timepiece that reflects on the proud history of AOPA
and general aviation while ensuring a strong future
by supporting flight training scholarships to help
create the next generation of pilots."

36 | AOPA PILOT October 2014

Do you own an original
AOPA Navitimer? Tell us
its history and how you
came to own it (pilot@
aopa.org). We will
publish some of the
stories in future issues.

FAMILY BUSINESS

A specialist of technical watches, Breitling played a crucial role in the
development of the wrist chronograph. Léon Breitling founded the
company in 1884 in St. Imier, Switzerland, and devoted himself to the
exclusive and demanding field of chronographs and timers. Breitling
developed the first independent chronograph pushpiece in 1915 and then
added the second pushpiece in 1934 to complete the final configuration
of the modern chronograph. In 1969, the brand introduced the first
self-winding chronograph movement. Today Breitling is the world's only
major watch brand to equip all its models with chronometer-certified
movements, the ultimate token of precision. Breitling is one of the rare
companies to produce its own mechanical chronograph movement,
entirely developed and manufactured in its workshops. This family
business is also one of the last remaining independent Swiss watch
brands, celebrating its 130-year anniversary in 2014.
ON THE

WEB

Visit the website (www.aopa.org/
navitimer) to customize your personal
timepiece.

http://www.aopa.org/navitimer http://www.aopa.org/navitimer http://www.aopa.org/navitimer

AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2014