The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello fellow Breitlinger's
I have been wondering if we have found other chronographs like this one with serial numbers similar from '53? I would be interested in the various production features. I don't know if I would like to see the same features or slight variations- either way. If there were one or two slight differences between them at least I(we) would know for a fact that '53 was, at the very least, a rebuilding/re-tooling year and that variations are more common than first thought. If the bezel on your example has been manufactured correctly then it fails the first comparison test, in my view.
Have a good one and I will be reading with interest



Hello,
I wanted to share an interesting Breitling Chronograph with your forum. This is a 1953 Breitling Geneve 765 AVI. Imported to the states by Breitling USA.
This particular Chronograph happens to be a great example and also has every available feature for the model at that time and is a link between Breitling Geneve Chronographs and the Co-Pilots and soon afterward the Navitimers.
This one was purchased by my Grandfather and I have had it in my coin collection for decades.
I sent it in to Horological Services (Mark Heist) last year for general maintanance after 58 years, and very little needed done to this one. No case refinishing, no watchface (dial) refinishing, and Mark did not have to access the center wheel at all, etc.
After months of research, here and there, I believe that I still don't have the Whole Story about this design and actually have not seen an identical Chronograph, again with all of the 'bells and whistles' so to speak.
Three Register, Fully Jeweled, Incablot, Ricebead, All-Black Face, BI-Directional Rotating Bezel (which does not line up perfectly with the hour markers due to a manufacturers defect in the early 765 AVI models) and Breitling B Signature.
Certainly, any further information about this perticular Chronograph would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ok, if the pictures of the watch are not listed here, please let me know how it is done. I haven't spent alot of time downloading pictures to websites before - I still have hundreds of LPs and a turntable and might need a little 'how to..' to load them here.

Phil's AVI pics. Looks like an excellent example!

Very nice indeed - like the box as well!

I'm sure that Mark enjoyed working on this one.

There have been a few 765 discussions on here - this search will show them although there's a little bit of searching for the diamonds in the rough - search.php?keywords=765+avi&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

It's a rare watch, enjoy it.

That is one sweet example... I'm just surprised though that bridge isn't gilt... not doubting the authenticity it's just I've never seen that before...

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

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful................

I had the same watch some years ago, I have regrettable sold it, it's a rare bastard.....

Slightly different hands on mine, and don't ask me what the crown under the writing is, as I never found out.


/ Kurt B

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=17167

Interesting, as far as I remember that was where my search ended as well, but I never found any proof.


/ Kurt B

I can't make out the import code. Is it "BOW"?

Can't quite make it out for sure. A little surprised to see "Watch Corp" on the bridge.

The early ones like this example had 15 minute gear sets for the minute counter and are not often seen. Apparently they had problems with these and later models used a 30 minute gear set adjust to jump twice when the second hand passed 12 so the fifteen minute register would still read correctly. I had several sets of these which I sold for around $100 each and have one set left waiting for the rest of the watch!

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S. Craig Bergsma

strange watch

No gilded movement
hands from an earlier AVI
serial number possibly from the earlier version , I know of a earlier version AVI with the digital 15 minute counter that has a 827632 serial number
Breitling watch corp on the bridge and in a way that is totally different from any AVI/806/809 bridge markings I have seen before

I will have to search through my files to see if I can find out some more on the AVI's

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

The import stamp is BOW.
I haden't even looked at it since 1979. I had no idea that this chronograph was so interesting when I began my research last year. Seems I learn something new about it every day. My grandfather was not a 'watch guy' or a pilot. I have the feeling he did not wear it very much considering it's condition. Also, I am aware that the early to mid 50's Breitling Chronographs are confusing somewhat as it relates to the year of manufacture at least. I am hoping this one may be a missing link of sorts and might help to answer a few questions. Upon Mr. Heists inspection, only the casing ring spring was not original.
This one has never needed any refinishing to casings or movement, with the exception of $5 for movement surface treatment.
Also I would be interested in knowing how much he paid for it in '53.
I believe it was purchased at Peacock Jewelers in Chicago. Don't know if this is of interest.
-Phil

...on this AVI, even though it has a 82x,xxx serial. Even some of the very earliest AVI with digital counter have this layout:



Another: http://www.chrono24.com/en/breitling/re ... Findex.htm

And yet, according to so many experts, this text is not found until the late 1950s. Another caseback mix up by the otherwise infallible Breitling?
Also, non-gilt plated/steel movements do definitely occur in some early AVIs in my experience for whatever reason...
Best,
T.

you learn something new everyday! thanks... I never doubted the authenticity just never seen one before like that...

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

the one on chrono 24 has a serial of 827774 and is a 'digital' 15 minute counter

the one above is serial 827565

so a younger serial number with a newer type dial ?

I have a hard time believing this came out of the factory like this,

My opinion:

this one was made as an AVI with 'digital' 15 minute counter
the case and hands are from such a watch

the 'Breitling Watch corp. swiss' did not start to appear on the bridge until a much later date so
maybe due to damage or something else that movement and and most likely dial were later replaced

I do not believe this watch left the factory like this , too many inconsistencies with it but its still a nice watch

Ask yourself, what would you say about this watch if this watch was shown to us by a certain german person ?

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard