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WatchFred
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:42 am 
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It has been awfully quiet here lately, so I too have posted little, but needed to share this with you .... ;)

A watch we have seen in the early & mid 1940s catalogs, but never "in the metal" - we had a member post in 2011 looking for a dial for an 18k ref. 786, but that was it for 18ks; at least we had two or three SS 786s over the years, but the 18k Chronomat 786 most probably is the rarest of all vintage Breitling.

A good friend at a large auction house recently helped me to acquire this before it was listed for auction; I'm deeply grateful.

And the watch teaches us a bit about Breitling distribution channels in the 1940s and early 1950s, we have seen Tourneau branding Breitlings with their "Tournograph" and some Rattrapantes, but this one was imported by Tourneau, marked on chrono bridge and caseback, but apparently was too rarely sold to have a rebranded dial made - or it was a special order by Mario Lanza (1940s & 1950s super star; superb voice & apparently great taste in watches) who presented this watch to composer and producer Tom Watts in 1953.


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Last edited by WatchFred on Thu Oct 01, 2015 6:25 am, edited 1 time in total.

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56scooter
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:30 am 
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Absolutely beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing.


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cruvon
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:34 am 
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A stunner Fred, congrats!


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d_cad
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:34 am 
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Truly a stunning piece, Fred. Glad it wound up in your hands!


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rick
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 6:37 am 
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As I said before a phenomenal watch that you will cherish as you most prized in your collection!!!

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saabreit
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:13 am 
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Fred, no words for this one except that it just felt in the best possible hands !


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vintage
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:42 am 
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Think Fred and his gold 786 when you hear this. :lol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6PZvj49IuM


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Eric_navi
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:57 pm 
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Good things happen to good people.... Beautiful watch and provenance... Congratulations again. Maybe I need a 786 now


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Scott
PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:58 pm 
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Another amazing addition to an important collection of Breitlings (and a few others). Congrats yet again.

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AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless


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Supermoto
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2015 12:24 pm 
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Ridiculous timepiece :drool: I don't think I'll ever see one in better condition, well done Fred, you may have to buy a new shirt


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Tim S
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:49 am 
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It's all been said above. Another superb find - thanks for sharing Fred!

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davten
PostPosted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:09 am 
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So COOL!


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