Breitling celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Patrouille de France

Many different squadrons made the journey to Salon de Provence to celebrate the Patrouille de France’s anniversary – and its official partner, Breitling, unveiled a limited-edition Chronomat 44.

By Olivier Müller

It was on May 16, 1953, at an air show in Algiers, that commentator Jacques Noetinger proudly announced the arrival of the French squadron: “Ladies and gentlemen, the Patrouille de France!”. On September 14 of the same year, air force headquarters gave its official approval to the name – and so it was that the Patrouille de France was born.

Its demonstration flying skills soon made it one of the most popular patrols at leading air shows, but budget cuts brought it to an abrupt halt just eleven years after it was founded: in 1964, the “PAF” (as it was otherwise known) was disbanded.

The rebirth of the “Smurfs”

Its rebirth was made possible only through the tenacity of a base in Salon de Provence: a few years previously, instructors there had formed the “Patrouille de l'Ecole de l'Air” for training purposes. When Pierre Mesmer, Armed Forces Minister, decided to revive the display team, he was able to draw on this initiative in Salon de Provence as the basis for reforming the Patrouille de France. Since then, it has continued to be based at the same airfield.

All new pilots are nicknamed Smurfs. The story goes that during a flight in 1964, the blue smoke canister on the outside right plane formed droplets inside the cockpit instead of the smoke being propelled out via the engine. When the pilot emerged from his plane he was covered in blue: and that was the origin of the ‘Smurfs’! Today, the nickname is passed on to the three new pilots who join the Patrouille de France each year.

Tradition and modesty

After these legendary beginnings, the PAF, also known as the Patrouille Acrobatique Française, has now celebrated its 60th anniversary. A large number of sister patrols came from all over Europe and beyond to salute it: Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Morocco, Spain, and others. Michel Drucker and Alain Delon, who are among its most ardent admirers, made the journey especially for the occasion. The PAF is not only about acrobatics but also – and above all – the story of the men who perform them. These pilots, recruited from the elite, have to complete a total of 1500 flying hours before they can join the PAF – equivalent to between ten and fifteen years’ worth of flying!

On the ground, however, modesty is de rigueur. For example, according to tradition, the pilot is chosen by the mechanic – the reason why, just before each take-off, the pilots can be seen giving a discrete wave to their mechanics from the cockpit. The Patrouille is also the only one in the world to make its pilots change their place in the formation each year. The plane in second place may be known as the “vulture”, since it has to ‘eat up’ the smoke from the lead plane – but the following year, it will take over the lead position!

2013: a key year for Breitling

Aviation is part of Breitling’s DNA, and the firm has been partner of the PAF since 1985. A large number of models, including the Navitimer, Aerospace and Chronomat, have paid tribute to the courage of the Patrouille. A Chronomat 44 fitted with an in-house B01 caliber has been released to celebrate this year’s very special event. Just six hundred have been made, with prices starting at 7050 euros. Each pilot will receive one – watches numbered 1/600 to 9/600 and engraved with their names.

The event illustrates the energy invested by Breitling in its partnerships – and its strategy. As to the watches themselves, 2013 includes a 10th anniversary timepiece for Bentley, the 60th anniversary edition for the Patrouille de France, and the long-awaited Emergency II. From a business point of view, the firm is still enjoying all the benefits of the new manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds and has just inaugurated a brand-new after-sales department in Besançon. A large network of proprietary flagship stores is being developed, one of the most recent of which is just a stone's throw from one of the world's most famous luxury squares: Place Vendôme in Paris. One by one, its ambassadors – including John Travolta and David Beckham – are declaring or reaffirming their confidence in the brand. For Breitling, the sky’s the limit.