The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This is actually my preferred watch. It still needs correct hour/minutes hands but, even with oversized Heuer Bund hands, it still shines.
I really hope to find the right ones in the future. It deserves them. Actually, threads about Breitlings 817 are few.

This particular 817 has been assigned to helicopter pilots of Italian Army (E.I.) mainly during the 70's. From 1978 to 1979 I had my military service as a combat diver in the recon platoon belonging to the 1st Amphibious Battalion stationed in Venezia lagoon. I always bear with me the recollections of those helo pilots flying Hueys in the narrow lagoon's channels below trees top level, some 2-3 meters above the water, to avoid being detected, and picking us after a one night recon mission, dead tired. So, when I got the chance to get a Breitling 817 I did it.

I hope you didnt fall asleep reading this little story and thank you for your hospitality.

great piece and wonderful that you found one.
afaik these were only produced as an Esecito Italiano version for the AMI ?

are you sure the hands are incorrect, seem similar on all ref. 817 I saw, maybe Eitan (member Yaffle) will chime in, he does own one.

here's a thread w/ Eitan's 817: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=17774&hilit=817

and a link to AIM chronographs from Zenith, Breitling, Universal, Leonidas. http://www.relojes-especiales.com/foros ... mi-201115/

I havent seen any 817 not assigned to the E.I., but I'm not completely sure that there isnt a sterile version for the civilian market.
These are the correct hour/minutes hands. Lucky me the chrono hand was the original one.
As you can see, they fit much better and the proportions are the right ones.



Anyway, perhaps I've found something smaller. BTW, remenber that they must fit the Valjoux 23 series.

Any help would be obviously appreciated

[EDITED]

Love love love these 817's... Beautiful... it's a tad reminiscent of the Breguet type XX's too.

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