The Breitling Watch Source Forums

came across this watch going through my grandfathers belongings, hoping to see if anyone out there may have some info about it.....much thanks

Around 1950, Breitling was a sponsor and official timer for the major bicycle races, like the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, etc. There are chronographs with the race names on the dial.

I think yours is authentic and in not so bad original shape. If I were you, I would service the movement and replace the crystal and wear it to honor your grandfather. It looks like it started out gold plated, but your image makes it look very presentable.

Since I suspect there are sellers faking these recently (I am a cynical bastard), I'm testing an hypothesis that there were only a limited number of models and years for watches marked with bicycle races. Does yours have "1190" on the back with a serial near to 750000?

Agree with most of that, and definitely should an 1190. However, I believe that these are later in the50s and would expect a serial number between about 850,000 and 900,000 rather than in the 750,000 range.

I have an 1192 with a serial of 740***, but Breitling on the dial is in script.

Some other examples.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cronografo-Breitling-Giro-dItalia-carica-manuale-/180659407426?pt=Orologi_da_Polso&hash=item2a1023ca42

http://cgi.ebay.com/Breitling-Chronograph-1190-Giro-d-Italia-1956-/140440201314?pt=DE_Kleidung_Schmuck_Accessoires_Uhren_Armbanduhren&hash=item20b2e36862

Caseback script on the first one is incorrect , surely.

Yes.

Thanks everyone for the info, very informative. I sent the watch to our watchmaker to get restored and make sure everything is working correctly. Once I get it back I'll post the numbers on it and pictures. It's amazing cause the watch actually still works after all this time, the only thing that was not working is the second hand, and sub dials

Yup yup! That's mechanical for you! All those years and they still keep ticking!

_________________
"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

my watchmaker gave the casing back to me so i can gold plate it, and the numbers on the back are pretty much just as you guys said......... 1190 784495 Breitling in script

cant wait to see how this puppy turns out when its all finished

Bill wins on the age - 1951.

Nice piece. Make sure that whoever replates it for you doesn't lose the vintage 'feel' ofthe piece.

our family owns a jewelry store, so we are the ones that are going to plate it, its pretty worn down.....we just arent watchmakers so we have a guy on the side thats going to work on the movement

Interesting that it appears to have the same 'Breitling' script on the back as the Italian piece I posted above. This one is an original grandfather watch. Maybe we need to reevaluate whether this is correct or not.

Missed that.

The script would be more expected in earlier pieces, and this was a transitional period for Breitling as they prepared to relcate to Geneva so I guess that it's possible. Certainly no reason to doubt this piece based on provenance.

I'm really looking fwd to seeing this one post restoration. Make sure you post pics!
Greg