Fratello Talks: 140 Years Of Breitling With Fred Mandelbaum
This week on Fratello Talks, we’re talking all things Breitling with author, collector, and brand historian Fred Mandelbaum. Nacho and RJ join Herr Mandelbaum in a conversation that starts in the early 20th century with some of Breitling’s earliest wrist-worn chronographs and spans the brand’s development to the present day. We touch upon the evolution that led to some of Breitling’s most recognizable collections, most of which are still around today, from the dressy post-war Premier to the flagship Navitimer and many others. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this extended and insightful episode, so be sure to tune in. Before we get into it, let’s see what’s on the wrist today.
Wrist check
We begin with our guest, Mr. Fred Mandelbaum, who is wearing a lovely Breitling Chrono-Matic ref. 2110. This is an important watch as it was one of the world’s first automatic chronographs ever made. Though Seiko undisputedly holds the title, on the Swiss side of things, a debate rages on between this watch and Zenith’s El Primero movement. We won’t give it away here, but Fred reveals more about the story in today’s episode.
RJ came well prepared, wearing a Breitling on each wrist. On his left wrist, he’s rocking the current two-tone Chronomat B01 42 (ref. UB0134101C1U1). On his right, he has his 2003 Breitling Aerospace ref. E75362. Both have blue dials, but they represent completely different ends of the brand’s spectrum, from the functional yet fashionable to the professional instrument meant as a true tool for pilots.
Finally, Nacho is wearing his beloved Breitling Aerospace ref. F65362. Originally a two-tone model, it was modified by a previous owner to have steel rider tabs instead. The only signs of its bimetal past are the golden hands and markings on the dial, which give it a special warmth without falling into the more divisive realm of two-tone watches. It’s an oddball, but he loves it all more for it.
Fratello Talks: 140 Years Of Breitling With Fred Mandelbaum
In today’s episode, we celebrate the 140th anniversary of Breitling. What better way to do so than with someone who knows the brand and its history inside and out? This is why we invited author, historian, and Breitling collector Fred Mandelbaum to come on the show to share his knowledge (and a small part of his collection) with us.
We begin in the early days of wrist-worn chronographs and some of the first examples of these made by Breitling. We work through the years and wrap up with some of the most recently introduced models. Join us for this overview of the brand’s history to mark the occasion of its 140th anniversary. As mentioned in the podcast, Herr Mandelbaum will take some time to reply to your questions in the comments below. So if you have anything you’d like to ask, submit it below.
And, of course, join us next week for a new episode of Fratello Talks.
