The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Good Morning Gents,

New to the Breitling world.

Yesterday I happened to find a '69 2111-N my grandfather gave me 23 years ago. I was in my early teens at that time and definitely didn't value it properly. I'd been looking for it for a couple of years now since it was one of the only things I have to remember him by.
I didn't think it was anything remarkable since he did give it to a teenager (and he wasn't rich). So finding a Breitling was surprising.

I'll post pictures later but other than surface scratches on the crystal and the case it is in fully working order. The Chrono works fully, date works etc.
Now this watch hasn't been serviced in 20+ years... since I know where it has been hiding for that time, so I'm a.) amazed it runs and b.) terrified of breaking it by wearing it without having it serviced first.

What do you guys think? I'm planning on asking Craig to see if he can work his magic, should I box it until I can send it off to him, or am I being too paranoid?

Any tips and advice is appreciated!

Peter

Welcome to BreitlingSource.

It definitely needs servicing before wearing, the oils will have broken down long ago so running it will cause unnecessary wear on arbors and wheels. Craig will get it back to you in perfect running order and it will be a great memory of your grandfather.

congratulations, these are beautiful pieces and a wonderful memento of your grandfather, who must have been a remarkable man, giving you the watch without mentioning it's financial value, these weren't cheap watches, then or now.

and, of course, sound advice above, better let it rest some more weeks until Craig has serviced it - wear it in health and pride.

Welcome!

Let's see some pics!

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

I just got back from a jeweler, I wanted a professional, or at least more professional than me, open the back.
He seemed to think the movement was in good shape but probably needed servicing. I was a bit worried as my grandfather used to maintain his own watches.

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Needs a lot of love.

Actually looks pretty good. The gunk is likely broken down gaskets and yes, it will need servicing, but cosmetically it looks 'experienced' but very wearable.

not bad at all, dial and hands seem to be in excellent shape - it does clearly need a COA by a competent watchmaker that has experience with the caliber; you might be happy (and many would be) with just cleaning the case, or you could have it refinished. personal choice.
standard advice: : contact member chronodeco

Yep. A little treatment at the spa and it should look beautiful. Congrats and wear it in good health!

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

I got the watch back from the Chronodeco Spa last week. I was a little terrified as the snowpocalypse and poor USPS scanning habits caused it to be temporarily MIA.

Great kudos to Craig, he does a phenomenal job and was very upfront about costs and incredibly speedy. He recommended not to polish the case as some of the scratches are too deep, but it still came out looking great. In the mean time I also found out some more history for the watch. My father bought the watch for my grandfather in '69 mostly because of the movement technology. My grandfather loved technology and as a mechanical engineer this type of watch was perfect for him and gave him a new challenge as he supposedly serviced his own watches.

As a refresher what it looked like right at the beginning:



Also notice the terrible citizen metal band (I blame it on him being an engineer

Then here it is today:





Bought a Cordovan band from a FormFunctionForm, which actually combines very nicely with the watch to give it a bit of a retro-modern look.
Overall I'm ecstatic and like this watch much more than my Daytona. It lacks personality in comparison.

I do have one question: Which direction is it properly wound in?
looking at it the up movement has no resistance while the down movement feels like too much resistance. So I'm charging it with wrist movement only right now. Any advise would be appreciated!

Congratulations - looks great. Always preferable to wind the watch manually as the auto winding can be a little delicate on these early automatics. The watch winds normally in that if you hold the watch with the crown to the right you will wind it forward.