Last Chance to Visit Breitling's Museum in Zurich

After welcoming over 16,000 visitors and hosting more than 100 events, Breitling’s Then & Now pop-up museum in Zurich is entering its final two months. First unveiled with a landmark launch in August 2024, this immersive exhibition celebrating Breitling’s 140-year legacy has fascinated watch enthusiasts, collectors, and newcomers alike. With its final day set for 11 May, now is the perfect time to visit before this extraordinary showcase comes to a close.

Located at Rennweg 14-16, Then & Now has become a hub of discovery, bringing Breitling’s pioneering history to life. Visitors have explored the brand’s legacy through interactive displays, a flight simulator, and a miniature in-house Chronometrie, while the on-site café has provided a welcoming space to enjoy anything from a morning coffee to an evening apéro. The museum has also hosted a series of Heritage Talks, each offering a closer look at defining moments in Breitling’s history.

Notable talks have included Kris Stoever, daughter of Mercury 7 astronaut Scott Carpenter, who shared personal stories about her father’s mission and the Breitling Cosmonaute, the first Swiss wristwatch worn in space (10 October 2024). A special panel discussion explored the contributions of women in watchmaking, featuring leading industry figures (11 December 2024). Collector Fred Mandelbaum traced the origins of the legendary Navitimer, from its creation for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to its status as an icon among celebrities (6 February 2025).

Explorer Bertrand Piccard and journalist Gerald Tubb discussed the life-saving legacy of the Breitling Emergency, the world’s first watch equipped with an international distress beacon (20 February 2025). There’s still time to catch a discussion with a panel of surfers on Breitling’s ties to the sea (25 March 2025) as well as a talk on its deep-rooted connection to cycling (April 2025, date to be confirmed).

The Then & Now museum offers a rare opportunity to see some of Breitling’s most significant innovations in watchmaking. For a limited time, visitors can view historic timepieces that changed the industry, including:

• The first timekeeper used by Swiss police to catch speeding drivers
• The world’s first modern chronograph, the 1934 dual-pusher
• The first Swiss wristwatch in space, worn by Scott Carpenter in 1962
• The first dive chronograph, the SuperOcean Ref. 807
• The first automatic chronograph, the Chrono-Matic, launched in 1969
• Watches favoured by legendary figures such as Miles Davis, Raquel Welch, Serge Gainsbourg, and Mick Jagger

Each exhibit tells a unique story of technical breakthroughs, fearless explorers, and cultural icons who made Breitling their timepiece of choice.

With only a few weeks remaining, this is the last chance to experience Then & Now. Whether you’ve been meaning to visit or wish to enjoy it once more, don’t miss this final opportunity to see Breitling’s history brought to life.

Admission is free. Visitors can reserve a time slot by emailing museum@breitling.com or simply walk in during opening hours: Tuesday–Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday–Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. For more details, visit the museum’s website: https://www.breitling.com/zz-zz/140-years/pop-up-museum/.