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| History of the Unitime https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=39645 |
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| Author: | TeamTom [ Sun May 06, 2012 11:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | History of the Unitime |
Hello, This is my first post. In light of the release of the new Transocean Unitime Chronograph, I'm looking into the original world timers with the Unitime name from the 1950s, and trying to find out when they were last made. This is for a magazine feature I'm writing (I'm a journalist). Here's the thing: I've seen listings of vintage Unitimes on the web from as late as late 1960s, while Breitling's own publicity material states "During the 1950s and 60s, the brand distinguished itself by introducing a sophisticated model named Unitime, a selfwinding “world time” watch that has since become a much sought-after collector’s item." I asked official Breitling sources when the Unitime was last made - and the answer has come back 1951. Eh!? I'm aware that at some point the name Unitime was switched from the watch with city ring and world map on the dial (ref 1-260 I believe) to the military style pieces with 24-hour displays and rotating bezels (eg reg 1765). I'm assuming therefore that 1951 was the last version with the city ring and map. So a) do you think I'm correct in that interpretation and b) can anyone offer any more info on when the 1-260 appeared and disappeared, and how long Breitling produced world timers with the Unitime name? Sorry to be a bit rambling. Help appreciated. |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Sun May 06, 2012 11:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
do not have my books and watches with me, but the second Unitime model was ref. 2160, definitely produced into the mid 1960s. You are confusing this with the ref. 1765 Unitime, a variant of the AVI, with 24 hour dial and turning bezel, not a worldtimer in the strict sense. here is a ref. 2160 Unitime Worldtimer 
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| Author: | TeamTom [ Sun May 06, 2012 11:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
Ah, the 2610 I think (as opposed to 2160!!). It's a v cool watch. So I've got the 1-260, the 2610 and the 1765 on my list as all bearing the Unitime name. The 1-260 must only have been around a year or so, as I believe it was introduced in 1950 - I may be wrong though. |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Sun May 06, 2012 12:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
sorry, typo. the 1-260 was definitely manufactured for more than one year, have seen pieces up to the mid 50s at least. |
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| Author: | TeamTom [ Sun May 06, 2012 2:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
Hmmm. Wonder why they've said 1951 to me. Very rum. |
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| Author: | Roffensian [ Sun May 06, 2012 2:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
TeamTom wrote: Hmmm. Wonder why they've said 1951 to me. Very rum. Not sure who your "official Breitling sources" are, but rememebr that Breitling as it is today didn't exist until the late 1970s when the Schneider family acquired some of hte original Breitling's assets. |
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| Author: | TeamTom [ Sun May 06, 2012 3:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
Well, it's reps of Breitling HQ. And yes, I'm well aware of that, but imagine they're on top of the archives nevertheless. |
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| Author: | Roffensian [ Sun May 06, 2012 4:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
TeamTom wrote: Well, it's reps of Breitling HQ. And yes, I'm well aware of that, but imagine they're on top of the archives nevertheless. I'm not sure how much original documentation they have access to. Remember this is the same Breitling that maintains that the Navitimer was launched in 1952 despite evidence to the contrary. |
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| Author: | WatchFred [ Mon May 07, 2012 2:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
TeamTom wrote: Well, it's reps of Breitling HQ. And yes, I'm well aware of that, but imagine they're on top of the archives nevertheless. Well, TeamTom, this only shows how much the "reps" at Breitling HQ know, did you speak to the janitor ? you might show them the following ad from 1956 or 1957, believe it also is in "The Book", so they will not have to search for too long:  or this ad from a Swiss Magazine, dated 1957:  but maybe they want additional proof ? here is a watch from 1952:   and two from 1955:     if they are unsure about dating them, here is a link to the serial numbers, right column, non-chrono: http://www.vidision.com/watchfred/ sorry for sounding a bit .... unhappy and slightly miffed, this is not towards you, but Breitling; the lack of knowledge and respect for the brand heritage is really quite disappointing, and it does show in the design quality of those "Tribute" watches. |
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| Author: | TeamTom [ Mon May 07, 2012 6:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
Thanks very much indeed. I would like to hug you. That bottom '55 model is heartstopping. In mitigation towards Breitling, it's always possible there have been crossed wires, particularly when you're making requests through PR intermediaries and between different countries. Maybe I did effectively speak to the janitor!! I don't think the new piece is't being presented as a 'tribute' really, it's just a new watch with an old name I'd say. Since there have historically been several watches under the Unitime banner, if Breitling has decided to bring back the world time function then it arguably makes sense to bring back the Unitime name with it. |
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| Author: | pad119 [ Mon May 07, 2012 8:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
Remember that the New Company is in the business of selling its watches. So, a little "marketing finesse" to make the original Unitime brand seem scarce - and by implication more desirable - likely furthers their goals. 
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| Author: | Dracha [ Mon May 07, 2012 10:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
pad119 wrote: So, a little "marketing finesse" to make the original Unitime brand seem scarce - and by implication more desirable - correct , good Unitimes, 1765's, 1260 & 2610's are readily available in large numbers , from every year they were made , all case styles and for reasonable prices, nothing scarce about them 
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| Author: | cruvon [ Mon May 07, 2012 5:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
Great looking watches! Btw I had read somewhere that some of these Unitimes had particularly unreliable Felsa movements, is that true, can't seem to find where I read that. |
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| Author: | Dracha [ Thu May 10, 2012 1:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
 dated to the 50ies somewhere , I have to open it to have a look at the serial but these we're made for more than a single year and with a worldmap they are early (1st?) versions I am not quite sure (yet) how the chronology works but there are different versions : 25 jewel world map versions in 18K , plated and SS 27 jewel world map versions in 18K , plated and SS 17 J black dial versions with (as far as I recall) at least 3 different bezel layouts and bezel materials so at least 5 versions made from the early 50ies to the mid 60ies |
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| Author: | Dracha [ Thu May 10, 2012 1:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: History of the Unitime |
cruvon wrote: Great looking watches! Btw I had read somewhere that some of these Unitimes had particularly unreliable Felsa movements, is that true, can't seem to find where I read that. correct , according to our tame (very well respected) resident watchmaker these felsa movements are notoriously unreliable |
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