The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Saw this one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281529046348



Has the dial been re-finished, or more specifically have the sub-dials been re-painted? Looks very bright and shiny to me.

Any thoughts?

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My vintage watch blog: http://thatwatchandmore.blogspot.no/

Instagram: @Oortcloud

You might be right, the 45 minute sub doesnt seem completely centered correctly ?

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

strange, but condition is in line with the rest of the dial, which is impeccable and correct. I can't imagine a situation where the main dial would remain mint and the subdials needed a repaint ?

Don't know about Top Time, but there are Omegas (typically Flightmasters) where only the subdials have somewhat deteriorated over time (gone "tropical"). Could this be the case here?

Just thought the second marker at 60 looked a bit chuncky. Also the minute markers between 20-25 seem a bit uneven. In addition to Renes observations. Could be that I'm only a bit paranoid, and it is all about a trick of the light, or bad photography.

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My vintage watch blog: http://thatwatchandmore.blogspot.no/

Instagram: @Oortcloud

iirc the "deteriorating Omega dials" were production problems with blue, not black ?
no such quality issues known w/ Breitling
only a manufacturing issue could cause portions of perfectly preserved dials to deteriorate so much they needed restoration/repainting, neither humidity nor "natural" fading could do that.

Actually Breitling did have a problem in the 1990's with blue dials deteriorating into sort of a gold. I had a Chronomat that needed a new dial and also a display back Chrono Callisto that also got a new dial because the original blue had completely faded away. In addition there was a Navitimer AVI from the same timeframe that also had the same problem. I always get a kick out of the Omega crown calling their faded dials 'tropical' as if they are to be desired.

1990s wasn't the Breitling I was referring to, Paul

here is an example of a "well worn" panda dial - and almost impeccable subdials to explain why I can't imagine a situation where a mint dial would necessitate subdial refinishing.



more worrying is the fact that we have a Gen.1 case and hands ref. 2002 with a panda dial, a combination that as far as I know did not exist; Gen. 1 had silver or reverse panda dials w/ tachy rings.
can it be transitional: yes, of course. it would just be the first I've seen.

But they are!

No, just kidding. Usually (well, at least 90% of the cases) these dials are damaged, not "tropical". But an even dark brown dial can be quite attractive. The Rolex guys are far worse calling damaged goods "tropical", "spider" and whatnot. Yes I'm an Omega guy.

Fred, thanks for the information regarding 1st and 2nd generation dials, wasn't aware of that.

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My vintage watch blog: http://thatwatchandmore.blogspot.no/

Instagram: @Oortcloud