The Breitling Watch Source Forums

After looking for parts for my 785 for a bit of change in looks like an English date wheel, bracelet etc. and almost giving up, I came across a Datora 785 on Ebay that was recently mentioned and evaluated here and which had the serial on the back brushed off to make way for the owners family to inscribe the name of a family member it was to be gifted to but that never eventuated. While it did loose value because of that mistake, I just couldn't discount the other attributes it had going for it, especially since I already had one 785 that is in excellent collectible condition and that I could use the spare one to switch some parts for a change. Plus 785's in any condition appear so rarely and this one looked like had a great dial and hands which are the most important parts of the watch to me, so I was tempted to take the plunge.
After much thought, I finally bid and got it, more as a gamble since the sellers pictures were not the greatest, but surely for much lesser than the other 785 cost me! Yet to decide if I would like to keep it as a spare parts watch or keep it's uniqueness as is. The only thing I would like to source for it is maybe a case back if one does appear someday, but am fine if it doesn't too. More on it soon since was shipped to my brother who's sent me some pics!





And here 2 pics of the other 785, acquired thanks to all those experts here who kindly advised on it

congrats, San !

Thanks Fred, I hope you'll have thought me well for me having taken a gamble:)

Great catch San , ive been thinking about buying it as well but never took the plunge

wise decision imo, buying it

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

Thanks Rene, hope so:). Also if considering gold weight, maybe the gold weight of the watch head(18kt) and bracelet(14kt) itself will be together worth about $1500?

Also some interesting variations between this WOG movement variation and the non marked movement early French version, a summation of what we already know this far about the 785's

1) English Date wheel v/s French date wheel implying for the US and Euro markets respectively
2) "SWISS MADE" on dial v/s no "SWISS MADE" on the older dial
3) Both are Valjuox 72, the French version is older and has no markings, this later one has markings and a WOG stamping implying was for the US market
4) See how the dial date numbers start differently at 12'O'Clock, one has 1st and the other 31st at the 12'O'Clock position
5) The date/month pushers are more improved on this later US version, the old French one has them inside rather than protruding out.
6) Approx Circa 1948 based on the owners recollection v/s 1946 for the French one
7) Inner caseback markings have the gold mark, 132, 18K and 0,750 on both. The extra inscription for this later US version is the "BREITLINGWATCHCORP SWISS" on the inner caseback which most probably started from 1947 onwards for watches exported to the US as seen in Rene's<edited> 785 here. Rene's watch is also a WOG version V72 but with yet another variation in design of the hands viewtopic.php?f=11&t=39023

Feel free to point out any other differences to help with our learning!

Btw watch has been reshipped to Craig, our vintage Breitling maestro, more info to follow soon!

Fantastic watch Fred !

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

Sorry. editing it, meant you Rene:)

Congrats San, . The seller was unpleasant in his posts here , but the watch is a beauty and for sure a good deal . Solving the problem of the caseback is a real issue, maybe the best is to accept it as is.

Thanks Saabreit, true, have the feeling will enjoy this one:)


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Also Fred's beautiful 784 from 1945 for our learning, which has all the characteristics of the 785 barring the third sub dial. Note the early V72 non marked movement. Fred, have a pic of the inner caseback?
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46829

R23C, not 72, San; actually still marked VZC.

here's the caseback.

Thanks Fred, does the inner caseback have Breitling watch corp written or doesn't? Was the R23C for 2 sub dial triple dates?

don't think so, but would have to get the watch from th bank safe to verify; that's the only pic I found.
R72C = formerly VZHC for VZ caliber, Hour counter, Calendar
R23C = formerly VZC for VZ caliber, Calendar


and, while we're at it, a pic of another incoming 785, wonderful restoration work by Craig Bergsma, will document this in it's own thread when it arrives in Vienna; Venus 191 btw.