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| Mind made up... https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=38499 |
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| Author: | rplace [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Mind made up... |
....at least for now. I am pretty sure I have narrowed my Breitling vintage decision down to one. I want a Top Time, more specifically I want a white faced one with black subs and stainless case. In a perfect world I think it needs to have an orange second hand like below. I have been watching one for a while ebay with black second hand, but minimal pix and don't feel like hitting the seller up for more info unless I see the price come down in the weeks to follow...seem way overpriced at $2K, no? I was feeling the love for the black faced gold one I posted about earlier in the week, but really think the white/stainless is me, so I retracted my snipe I had in for it...hope I don't regret that later. So besides ebay and TZ where else should I be looking? Given my parameters is there a specific range of years I should be looking for more than others? All things being equal I'd love to have one from 1965 since that is when I was born. I have checked out the serial numbe listing here on BS, but does anyone know the range of years they made a white, 3 black sub dial, stainless Top Time? Thanks for all the help so far! http://mantistech.com/Watch/BreitlingTopTime.jpg |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
the one of the link is Gen 2, slightly different (less tapered) lugs, caseback, hands and dial, though that one one the links misses the two lume dots next to the "12". u can see the "older" case on the watch I posted yesterday. TT810 afaik were produced from 64 to 66 for Gen 1, 67 to 69 for Gen 2, then replaced by the 815 Long Playing. Not sure if orange hands were available for 65 Gen 1s, think I never saw any ? the SS with silver panda dial is very nice, though quite rare, you might want to look on chrono24 too from time to time, one there at the moment, but branded Kronomter Stockholm, even higher than the 2k. What about 2 subdial version, there are more of those ? |
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| Author: | rplace [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:01 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
I might be able to live with 2 subdial version...I don't recall seeing them with contrasting dial...obviously pretty new to this, but recall all white or all black. Time to do some digging/looking. Fred, seems like you have a bumper crop of these vintage peices piled up, you are probably tripping over them. Sell me one of yours. 
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
Here is the current chrono24 lineup: https://www.chrono24.com/en/search/inde ... _suggest=1 the 2002 from Germany is way too high, but just so you'll see how those look. |
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| Author: | rplace [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
Mmmm, that 2002 is pretty tasty. I could see that on my wrist. What is a reasonable price for the 2-sub versions? Still I think I'll keep my eye out for the 3-sub version. I got time. I notice the "glass" is plexiglass on these older versions. Some all scratched up some flawless....almost too good for their age. Are new ones still available? Does one ever replace them with mineral/saphire crystal for better wear or does that detract from their value. Meaning is it better to have original worn parts or new pristine? I can see some case marks giving a classic watch character, but I'd want my crystal to be a perfect as possible. |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
reasonable between 600 and 1k, assuming nice condition. earlier pieces tend to go higher - Venus 188 and Valjoux 7730 are preferred over Valjoux 7733. no functional or reliability reason, similar to the differences between Venus 178 and Valjoux 7736. re plexi crystals: even new releases of vintage hommage watches like the JLC Deep Sea use plexi because of the different "look and feel", so even if it were possible, I would never think about replacing them with mineral or sapphire. lighty scratched plexi crystals can easily be polished, takes only some minutes and is fun - search for "Polywatch" on the forum. deep scratches, cracks or the internal "spider cracks" require replacements, readily available for most watches. cost similar to a Big Mac & fries if you know where to buy. |
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| Author: | rplace [ Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
Big Mac and fries LOL. Ok, not so gun shy now. I am learning lots in the last few weeks. Thanks to all! Great place to hang out. |
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| Author: | rplace [ Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
Pix are pretty large so I won't link directly to them here in the post, can some of you experts give this a look and see if you see any issues/problems. I asked the seller for more, but this is all I got. Can all that corrosion be cleand up on the case...I'd think so. How about the condition? Good/Fair/Poor for 40+ year old watch? http://mantistech.com/Watch/TopTime1.JPG http://mantistech.com/Watch/TopTime2.JPG |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
a larger dial pic would be great, but from what I see this all looks fine, do not see pitting, so this should clean nicely. whoever cleans and polishes the case should know his vintage Breitlings, the caseback inscriptions tend to fade easily. as I said earlier, factor in the cost of a complete service if you do not get reliable information about a rather recent service, though the movement does look quite clean. this could be a VERY nice watch. |
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| Author: | rplace [ Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
Fred, that is good to hear. I actually thouht it was a bit beat from others I have seen...gussing I am seing them from you guys after Craig at Chronodeco has worked his magic. If I get one that is where I'll be sending it. Based on all the great comments I see here I don't see any point in sending an old Breitling anywhere else...am I wrong? I don't have any sort of relationship with any watch maker as is so I'd just be shooting in the dark otherwise. Obviously I need to talk to Craig but didn't one of you said ball park figure $400 for service on a chronograph? IIRC, the going rate on these were $800-1,800 right? Stainless perhaps higher. Would that high end be for one that had already been cleaned up and serviced and is ready for use, or just a nicer version of the watch, but still in need of service/restoration? |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mind made up... |
Craig does not like service costs discussed on the forum, let me just say you will probably be pleasantly surprised. The watch you are showing would be considered "in perfect condition" by many sellers and there is nothing visible that would require immediate attention, it will probably run nicely. My suggestion would still be to have it looked over, slightly polished and let Craig say whether he thinks a full service is required, you can absolutely trust him not to do any unnecessary work. |
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