Léon Breitling opened an atelier in Saint-Imier in 1884 for the exclusive purpose of manufacturing industrial counters and instruments to measure brief intervals of time. His specialties were so successful that he soon resettled his production facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Many inventions and developments followed in ensuing years. In collaboration with Büren and Heuer "Leonidas", Breitling invented the self-winding chronograph movement in 1969. This technical masterpiece was a decisive advancement for the entire Swiss watchmaking industry. The watch manufacturer, specialist in micro-electronics and pilot Ernst Schneider took over the Breitling brand in 1979 and helped it enjoy a new upswing.