Horological Meandering

hmmmcamu
814

• Show profile
• Show other posts

Wakmann - Breitling - Gigandet

Wakmann vs Breitling Triple Date ... Wakmann and Breitling had a joint venture in the 1940s and 1950s, where Breitling supplied watches to Wakmann, a US-based company, for distribution in the American market. During this period, Wakmann produced watches that were similar to Breitling’s designs, including chronographs and triple-date calendars.

 

1. Shared movements: Wakmann used Breitling’s supply chain for high-grade components, including movements. For example, the Wakmann Triple Date Chronograph Ref. 73.1307.70 features a Valjoux 723 movement, a variant of the popular Valjoux 72 equipped with day, date, and month functions. Similarly, Breitling’s Navitimer watches used Valjoux 72-based movements.
2. Design similarities: Wakmann’s triple-date watches, such as the one mentioned in “Gents vintage Wakmann triple date chronograph watch,” feature a similar aesthetic to Breitling’s chronographs, including a triple-register dial layout and a focus on aviation-inspired design.

Gigandet and Wakmann ... Wakmann and Gigandet (as a partner of Wakmann) shared similarities with Breitling in terms of design, quality, and manufacturing processes,they were not identical to Breitling. Wakmann and Gigandet watches were distinct entities with their own characteristics, although they may have borrowed from Breitling’s expertise and components.

• Wakmann also co-branded watches with Charles Gigandet , an established Swiss brand, creating a secondary line with more affordable options. These co-branded watches, such as the Triple Calendar Chronograph and Regatta Yachting Chronograph, featured Swiss-made parts and were marketed as high-quality alternatives to Breitling watches.
• Some watches from this era were actually co-signed as Breitling/Wakmann, indicating a close collaboration between the two companies. However, Wakmann also brought its own line of sporting timepieces to the market, often utilizing Breitling’s supply chain of high-grade components but retailed at entry-level price points.
• Gigandet, as a brand, was once owned by Wakmann and was a partner of Breitling  for creating top-quality chronographs. Although Gigandet eventually ceased operations and was resurrected in Germany, its watches, such as the Chronograph Divers featuring Calibre 248 Movement, share similarities with Breitling’s designs and quality standards.