The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am looking at a breitling toptime coming up at auction with a valjoux 7740 movement

http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/aucti ... hitem=true

No pics of the movement I'm afraid- and WOK won't send me any but on the day I will check.

I love the top time shape and style, but am wondering whether to hold and wait for a rarer venus 178 movement? I'm not looking at re sale value I am just interested in whether the valjoux is considered anything special/or as special as the venus movements? I've found a couple of threads talking about the venus 178 and 188 but not much information comparing rarity/pros/cons of the types of top times.
Any info is greatly appreciated.


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Valjoux 7730, not 7740; quite different.

the 7730 is the same movement as the Venus 188, after Venus SA closed down, Valjoux continued to produce the low end lever model under that cal. ref.; later these evolved into the ubiquitous cal. 7733 and 7736.

the Venus 178 is a crown wheel chronograph caliber w/ an hour counter, used in the (much larger) ref. 810.

Thanks Fred- appreciate that, what's your opinion on the different top times? Would you recommend one over another?

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There are so many Top Time ......

if we are looking at the classic round designs and leave the rather spectacular cushion models aside, it really comes down to personal tastes, preference and budget.

the ref 2000 (waterproof) & 2002 are the bi-compax models, early pieces based on the Venus 188 or Valjoux 7730, later Valjoux 7733 (technically similar, very realible, but considered the "uglier" offspring) are 35mm "only", very wearable and nice pieces; the Top Time ref. 810 is based on the technically "superior" crown wheel movement Venus 178, the same movement installed in the most iconic B (Chronomat, Navitimer, Co-Pilot AVI, Unitime AVI etc.) is quite a bit larger at 38mm - but that's also reflected in prices for nice pieces.

the watch you link to needs a bit of work (new pushers, at least) and will probably sell around 600 pounds; after restoration it will be a nice piece.

here are some ref. 810: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=52706

and here some 2000s:

Thanks- great info- love the strap on that bottom 2000

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Wow, those two are beauties for sure!