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777 - before and after
https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11566		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Roffensian [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  777 - before and after
Some of you may recall that I bought a 777 from a new forum member a few weeks ago. The watch had been sitting in a drawer for around 40 years and looked like this:

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Believe it or not I haven't seen the watch yet. The seller was in the UK and I had him send the watch directly to chronodeco (Craig) in the US.

Today I got the photos of the finished watch from Craig - and this man is incredible. The watch wasn't in the worst of conditions, but he has made it look like new - just compare the caseback before and after. I can't wait to find another restoration project for Craig - my new restorer without a shadow of a doubt.

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Author:  sonyman [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
Wow thats gorgeous wish I had that :lol:
Author:  Tunnel Ling [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
Very well done! Looks absolutely splendid!!! :lingsrock:

I always see the discussion about $ to rehab vs. buying the best you can find...how did doing this work out for you? Because it seems that for some of the prices of these vintage watches vs. the work that needs to be done, that the recommendation is often to to buy one already rebuilt/refinished. Was the cost to refinish reasonable?
Author:  jlee5050 [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
:wowzers :wowzers :wowzers

that looks SUPER...

Always makes me happy when a vintage Breitling is given a second chance... :D

So Mr. Roffensian what number is this for you?

And don't say too many... :lol:
Author:  Sharkmouth [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
Amazing work!
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
Tunnel Ling wrote:
I always see the discussion about $ to rehab vs. buying the best you can find...how did doing this work out for you? Because it seems that for some of the prices of these vintage watches vs. the work that needs to be done, that the recommendation is often to to buy one already rebuilt/refinished. Was the cost to refinish reasonable?


Craig's pricing is extremely reasonable which helps, and I didn't overpay for the watch, which also helps.

If I were to sell this watch then I would make money, and if I waited for the economy to pick up and had some good pictures then I could double my money on a good day. That wouldn't always happen, and this is gold which helps, but you can generally do better with a project - though there is risk that expensive problems exist - you can't tell what's wrong with a movement just by looking. This movement needed very little work - basically just a new mainspring.

Generally you don't get your money back on servicing if the piece is already cosmetically fine, but the aesthetics makes a difference.

jlee5050 wrote:
So Mr. Roffensian what number is this for you?

And don't say too many... :lol:



Not enough :lol: :wink:

Come on, you knew I wasn't going to answer that question.
Author:  kstone [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
I am always amazed by the before and after pics of Craig's work. :wowzers

Nice piece Roff, and superb work by Craig! :bow:
Author:  onewatchnut [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
In the original pictures the badly scratched crystal prevented me from getting a good view of the dial. Did he send it out to get it refinished? That usually drives the cost up, sometimes considerably. Anyway, absolutely stunning work!
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
onewatchnut wrote:
In the original pictures the badly scratched crystal prevented me from getting a good view of the dial. Did he send it out to get it refinished? That usually drives the cost up, sometimes considerably. Anyway, absolutely stunning work!


No, dial was in good condition, no need to refinish. I suspect that it just needed a little TLC and rodico.
Author:  Driver8 [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
Absolutely superb work by Craig. Almost makes me want to get into the vintage stuff. Almost. :wink:
Author:  Tim S [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
Outstanding Roff, what a fine looking piece. Obviously very good work done by Craig!

The numbers look very similar to the ones on my 1903. They seem to have kept similar styling throughout the ages.
Author:  vintage [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
I knew that was going to look good when done. Nice job Craig and good catch Roff!

Paul
Author:  breitlingmuseum [ Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
a fantastic and very rare model, I had never seen before

regards

Michael M.
Author:  Huttfuzz [ Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
Crazy work on a crazy watch.
Author:  clayton [ Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 777 - before and after
Very NICE :bow: .
Mike.
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