The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Dear Members,

I found this in a draw after a very long time I had forgotten I had it as I purchased it more than forty years ago.

I am thinking about sending to Breitling to see if they can restore it your views and comments are wellcome

Regards

Walter Wharton

Walter, sending it to Breitling is not a really good idea; it would take a year or more and probably cost 10 times more than the realistic market value - if they agree to restore it.

That is a very nice find. That said I would have to agree with Walter and urge you to look for a different source
for the restoration. I would still follow through with Breitling to get a base mark for the cost. It may surprise all of us and
be the best way to go.
Keep us in the loop, I would like to know how this turns out.
Frank.

Dear Members,

I am thinking six of one and two three's of the other as to whether to send to Breitling or try and find an independent watch restorer, so more views are needed.
What about Michlmayr's in Norwich
my first thought was Breitling due to the age of the stopwatch

Regards

Walter

Never, ever, ever send this to Breitling. Apart from anything else it's a totally different company today than the one that produced the watch - the only thing that is the same is the name.

If Fred tells you something about a vintage watch, you don't need a second opinion.

I know absolutely nothing about stopwatches, just a bit about vintage Breitlings in general, so I hope Paul will chime in with his comments.

Most of us here work with Craig in the US (member chronodeco), but I am not even sure he works on stopwatches, though I assume he would ?

Regarding Breitling's "Vintage Service" - as Roff said, this is a company that only shares the name with the factory that manufactured your watch, they have little to no spare parts even for the high end wristwatches, so I'd doubt very much they would have parts for this one - and we have seen them destroy beautiful, iconic watches with wrong spare parts, while charging unbelievable sums and letting customers wait for a year or more.

This does NOT apply to the US - vintage Breitlings are there serviced by the Heists (http://www.horologicalservices.com), highly competent, they do excellent work, though a bit pricey for my tastes (sorry, Bill). If you want an "official" opinion, you might want to contact them.

We have often asked and been asked about reliable "vintage" watchmakers in the UK - no convincing endorsements up to now.

A regular timer is pretty uncomplicated to work on and most watch repairers can handle it if it just needs a cleaning. Spare parts might be another issue but these pure timers are relatively inexpensive to purchase so buying another for parts wouldn't be out of line as the same movement is used in many Breitlings/Wakmanns.

Dear Members,

Here is a little more information regarding the Breitling stopwatch and a note for all you members never use a sharp and I mean sharp knife to open a stubborn watch case I have sliced the end of my finger !!!!!
Anyhow back to the watch there are no numbers on the movement that I can see there is a number on the inside of the case which is # 656486

I don't know if this helps to date the stopwatch or help in regard to anything else you might be able to tell me

As ever many thanks for all you input

Kind regards

Walter

Dear Members,

Can anyone tell me if Landeron 17-20 means anything to them in regard to the Breitling stopwatch I own believed to date from around 1953 / 1954

As ever kind regards

Walter

Landeron is a movement manufacturer, although questionable whether used in Breitling that late (maybe stop watches are different?). Not familiar with 17-20 as a calibre number though.

Dear Roffensian,

I have been told that is the movement in the stopwatch I was hoping to find out a bit more about it but as regards the calibre 17-20 it means nothing to me

Do you know anything about Landeron as makers of movements

Kind regards

Walter

As I said, 17-20 is not listed as a Landeron calibre number anywhere that I can find.

Unless someone was at the track with it every day, it should only need servicing. These things are usually seven jewels, or less in some cases. They get very little wear. The only repair issue might surface it it has been dropped. Then, a balance staff/balance jewel replacement could be a problem. Again, not insurmountable in the hands of a competent watchmaker. If it runs and is accurate, I would contact a local watchmaker and, at least, get an opinion.

_________________
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1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

Dear Members,

I have the following information in regard to the movement in my Breitling stopwatch It appears that the Landeron 17-20 is quite an early beast, I have been looking for some information on it myself but have not really come up with much. I have found a technical document for the 217-220 – this is the much later version of the 17-20 (its similar in design) Unfortunately that’s about all I have found.

I will try and post the technical document hopefully it will make more sense that way

Regards

Walter

Hello,
Those stopwatches are fitted with Valjoux 19 "' calibers ( dia 42.10mm)
Cal 320 on sport timer with minute recorder, 30' or 60' - as on Breitling Sprint series
Cal 340 similar to 320 with hour recorder
Cal 24 with split second
Cal 5 = chronograph + time recorder
Cal 9 = chronograph + time recorder + split second - as on the Breitling 612 GF