The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This early square chronograph sold at Antiquorum yesterday for around $10000.

http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalog.h ... =270#dummy

What do others feel about the Breitling script - from the pictures I'm not convinced.
The condition report however doesn't seem to make any mention of this being a re-dial.

One other point which is of interest, the description states that the case is marked "staybrite", which denotes
a specific kind of high grade steel used at the time. Has anyone seen this on other Breitling watches?

Eitan, we had a square piece w/ staybrite: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=22012&p=213045&hilit=staybrite#p213045
though Mr. Enigma proved to be a less than reliable source.

seem to remember some early and seemingly correct pieces w/ staybrite, can not find any pics in my stash.

I think that I have seen Staybrite on some legitimate pieces in the past, but more common on non Breitlings. The case looks correct for a 754/5/6/7, but odd that a model number isn't mentioned. Dial looks a little unconvincing - big space between the B and the rest of the name, subdial stamping looks awful (after the guilloche presumably).

edit Fred beat me to it.

Interesting that it's another square chrono. That one seems to have several issues as well Fred.

Agree Roff, several questions against it - fetched a convincing price though.

Mostly I've seen "Acier Inoxydible" as in the early chronomat shown here - which has other high grade features, you might think
they would also use Staybrite for this as well.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=45599

Don't really know what it means one way or the other, but my understanding is that Staybrite steel is considered
a higher quality of steel from that time and in other brands usually commands a premium.

http://www.vintage-watches-collection.c ... explained/

Just for interest sake chaps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb-TaEa3usQ

These are real collectors pieces and I presume the buyer inspected the piece in picture. It's so difficult to make an evaluation based on the few words used in the text description and just the one image. The hammer price shows the incentive for creativity.

From the dial-on view, I'm inclined to think this one is all original and it closely matches the 755 case in the 1946 catalog and one of the dial options shown there. The only difference is the size of the sub-registers, which are much larger than the small ones shown in 10.5" models depicted in the catalog. It has a 455152 serial, but I don't think that gives us much of a clue. I note that the Myenigma's example was in this case and numbered 455129 in an unpersuasive engraving. It also had the smaller registers and a Landeron 10.5" movement [sic]. But, that dial was, how shall I put, good but unlikely, as it was marked "Premier."

These square ones are fun to discuss and examine, noting that other companies made these and ordered the same cases as Breitling. I would have to handle this one or see a complete set of images.

Landeron in the MyEnigma, Bill ? methinks this is a Valjoux 69 or the older DX ?

Yep. I think only the Valjoux 69 was available for the 10.5" chronos.

I was matching the bits from the 1946 catalog bits and pieces layout and didn't check Bestfit, etc.

Thanks for your thoughts Bill. I haven't looked at the square ones very hard and I agree it's very hard to make an assesment based on the pics, but I struggle with the Breitling signature myself.

I also wonder at the fact that Staybrite steel was used for these cases whereas it doesn't seem to be something highlighted
on other cases either from the period or later. I suppose it's possible they used a different case maker for these. It's something worth keeping an eye out for when other early ones come up.

Supermoto - nice clip. Thanks.

Am I wrong that there is only one image to view in the catalog? It seems an auction house would do better in attracting bidders if they posted a full set of images.

Yes, they only post one image. Not sure if the physical catalogue has more.

I've dealt with some of the auction houses in the past, but not Antiquorum, places like Christies will send extra pictures
if you ask in advance of the auction. Next time we spot something coming up we could do that.