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I just saw a B-1 with reference number A68062 , with the words " chronometre b-1" on the dial ?

I was thinking the word "chronometre" was present on only the a78 models .

Can someone please confirm this ?

I believe you are correct.

The Breitling Caliber 68

The Caliber 68, used in the early B-1s (1998–2003), is based on the ETA E20.331 movement.

From 2000 onwards, all B-1s are certified Chronometers. For a quartz movement to be certified as a chronometer, it should perform no more than a 0.07 second variation in 24 hours, for 11 different tests. That is 2 seconds a month, 25 seconds a year. Mine is well within these specs at roughly 5 seconds a year, which is no unusual performance for this model. Some non-SuperQuartz models have a very good accuracy as well.

Breitling may change the Caliber 68 from your watch to a Caliber 78, usually at no added cost, during a complete service.

The Breitling Caliber 78

The B78, used in the B-1s from 2003 to 2006, is a thermo-compensated SuperQuartz™, COSC certified (as suggest the words “Chronomètre” on the dial and caseback).

http://donindiano.lanetcie.com/watches/ ... 1/movement

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Cheers
Brez

Aerospace
Airwolf CF-18 Limited Edition
TrancOcean Chronograph LE (mercury silver dial, brown croc, folding clasp)

Sorry what I meant to say was

Calibre 68 was certified chronometer from 2000-2003. From 2003 an on the superquartz in calibre 78 was used.

Therefore the words chronometer with the 68 could show.

_________________
Cheers
Brez

Aerospace
Airwolf CF-18 Limited Edition
TrancOcean Chronograph LE (mercury silver dial, brown croc, folding clasp)

Thanks for updating that.

Some dial and caseback details can help approximately date a B-1. Please note that some B-1s (possibly only the later models) have a date tag between the lower horns; if not, Breitling can precisely date your watch, based on its serial number.

Description of the different models of B-1
Reference number Production years Movement COSC certification Dial wording
A68062 1998–2000 B68 (Quartz) No Breitling 1884
A68362 2000–2003 Yes Breitling B-1
A78362 2003–2006 B78 (SuperQuartz) Breitling Chronomètre B-1
Note: there are many fake (replica) Breitlings with the reference number A68062 (especially along with the serial number 1111). In such cases, differences with the real B-1 are obvious to the naked eye.


Oh oh the history page states that it should only state "breitling b-1"

http://donindiano.lanetcie.com/watches/breitling/b-1/

_________________
Cheers
Brez

Aerospace
Airwolf CF-18 Limited Edition
TrancOcean Chronograph LE (mercury silver dial, brown croc, folding clasp)

What about the difference in accuracy between the a68 and a78 movements ? Is it significant ?

In theory nothing - they are both chronometer certified so can achieve the COSC quartz ratings. However, the non-thermo compensated movement may see more variation in any given time period (i.e. higher error rates at any particular spot check). Over time those will offset.

Some later A68 movements were detailed "Chronometre B-1" on the dial prior to the A78 movement being fitted so the A68 didn't always have just "B-1" on the dial.

Case in point, my old B-1 Vulcan LE. It is a A68 movement (non Superquartz™)


The other reason could be that it has been re-dialed or even had a new movement. However, if a new Superquartz™ movement has been fitted to an originally non SQ watch, the letters "sq" will have been inscribed on the caseback between the model and serial number.

Hope this assists.

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