On the occasion of Breguet’s 250th anniversary, CEO Gregory Kissling speaks to AVIAIR about the legacy of a great timepiece, the brand’s enduring ties to aviation – and why a Breguet does more than measure time: it reflects a way of thinking.
AVIAIR: Mr. Kissling, if you had to describe the Breguet brand – and what it means to you – in just one sentence, what would it be?
MR. KISSLING: Breguet is the encounter of timeless heritage and constant innovation, carrying forward 250 years of watchmaking excellence.
What makes a Breguet watch truly special?
It is the combination of technical ingenuity and unmistakable aesthetic codes. Every Breguet watch embodies centuries of craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovations.
Two hundred and fifty years of company history – it’s almost unimaginable. How does it feel to be the CEO of a house with such a rich heritage?
It is both humbling and inspiring. I feel a deep responsibility to honor the legacy of Abraham-Louis Breguet while ensuring the brand continues to evolve and stay relevant for the next generations.
We had the chance to take a look at (one of) the anniversary model in your press materials, the Type XX Chronograph 2075. What makes this timepiece stand out?
The Type XX 2075 pays tribute to Breguet’s aviation heritage while embracing contemporary design and technology. From its dial finishing to its hand-engraved caseback, every detail has been conceived to tell a story of adventure and precision.
You lead a brand whose founder was connected to figures like Napoleon, Marie Antoinette, and later, aviation pioneers. Do you sometimes feel more like a custodian of history than a CEO?
It is one of my roles! Breguet is not just a watch brand – it is part of history. My role is to protect that legacy while ensuring it continues to inspire innovation and passion today.
What are the challenges in keeping such a historically powerful brand relevant and contemporary?
The key is balance. We respect our heritage but we are not confined by it. Our mission is to translate Breguet’s DNA into designs and technologies that speak to today’s collectors and tomorrow’s enthusiasts.
Is the Type XX also your personal favorite among Breguet’s timepieces? (If not, which one is?)
That is a very difficult question – it’s like asking a father to choose his favorite child! I truly appreciate all our 2025 novelties, each of which is deeply rooted in our heritage while firmly connected to the present.
Looking back at 250 years of Breguet: which invention or chapter in the brand’s history has impressed you the most?
For technical invention, I would choose the Breguet balance-spring – a tiny but brilliant advancement that greatly improved accuracy and is still used by major watchmakers today. For aesthetics, the Breguet numerals: their pure, elegant style remains iconic and widely imitated.
At AVIAIR, we’re especially interested in Breguet’s ties to aviation. One family member – Louis Breguet – was a pioneering aircraft engineer. Can you take us back to how a watchmaking dynasty ended up conquering the skies?
The Breguet spirit has always been about innovation without boundaries. Louis Breguet carried that same mindset into aviation, building aircraft that pushed the limits of what was possible. That pioneering DNA still lives in our watches today.
Vintage pilot’s watches still strike a deep emotional chord today – even with people who’ve never set foot in a cockpit. Do you experience that as well?
Absolutely. Pilot’s watches speak to a universal sense of adventure, precision, and courage. They remind us of a time when exploration was bold and pioneering.
When someone wears a Type XX today, are they also wearing a piece of adventure on their wrist?
Without question. The Type XX is more than a timepiece – it is a tribute to the men and women who pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
The anniversary edition doesn’t just tell time – it also features a hand-engraved map of the Paris–New York flight route. Why that route in particular?
That route is deeply symbolic. Paris had already been linked to New York by air in 1927, but in 1930, the first flight from Paris to New York was completed in a genuine Breguet aircraft – a far greater challenge because of the headwinds flying westward. By engraving this map, we pay tribute not only to that historic achievement but also to the pioneering spirit that has always been part of Breguet’s DNA.
You chose aluminum for the dial – a reference to classic aviation alloys. Is it typical for your designs to draw inspiration from history?
There are actually two versions: one in aluminium, and one in silver. But yes we always draw inspiration from our history, and put it in a modern way. History is not a constraint for us; it is a source of inspiration that we reinterpret for today’s collectors.
Finally: what are your personal ambitions for Breguet over the next 50 years – in a world that’s changing faster than ever before?
To keep innovating while staying true to who we are. My goal is for Breguet to continue shaping watchmaking – just as it has for the past 250 years.
