The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi, new here. I'm looking for help to verify a watch I inherited from my grandfather. I've done a bit of research and I think it may be an early 1942 Chronomat (i'm going to try and post some pictures, so hopefully it works ).

My grandfather was an engineer, and I am now in possession of a variety of mechanical types of items – calculators, cameras, and this watch. I also have the original manual, which is in German and stamped from a German store. He was stationed in Germany in the mid-1940s during the war. So perhaps he picked it up then.

It is to my eye in fantastic condition. It almost looks like it was barely ever worn. I took it to the jeweler/watch shop today to have them open up the back because I did not want to. And I took pictures. She got it running and it looks like it works great! There are no marks anywhere on the watch, the only thing to note are a couple of very small nick scratch on the crystal that I noticed under a magnifying glass.

From the info I have learned it seems like this watch has the markings, or lack of markings, that might make it a very early 1942. So I'm looking for some help verifying that. Or any other information you could offer me. I do plan to sell this watch, and am also attempting to figure out what may be the best route for that.

Thank you for your help!

I uploaded pictures but it doesn't look like it worked?

Try using a 3rd party image host. Here are instructions from another thread:

I am very curious to see your photos. I also have an early Chronomat that I believe is from 1942. My dial is not in fantastic condition, but it is the earliest Chronomat I have ever seen, so it has that going for it. My serial# is 479xxx. I have seen a few in the 48xxxx's, but I have yet to find another in the 47xxxx's.

There is some disagreement on this forum whether the earliest Chronomats have the red arrow on their dials between the 5 and 6 O'clock. Mine does not have the arrow, but others will say that it likely just wore off. FWIW, I believe the very earliest did not have it.

Thank you for the tip regarding photobucket. I uploaded photos there, here is the link hope it works!
( serial number X out is on the digital photo, not on the watch

Holy cow. Unbelievable. Beyond wonderful!

Probably the best piece any of us could dream , and the serial number is earlier than other registered .
Just a remark about Bern which is not a german town, but the capital of Switzerland !
I should not be surprised if you receive some pm offers ...

It's s beauty.

VERY impressive watch! You were not kidding about the condition. I am almost not upset about it being older than mine I think this is clear evidence that (at least some) of very earliest Chronomats did not have the red arrow between 5 and 6 O'clock. It's interesting that the owners manual shows it without the arrow, while the cut-out display has it. It must have been added very early on. Congrats on this incredible gift from your grandfather!

Thank you everyone for the feedback. It's been very interesting for me to learn about this watch. My grandfather left me some very unique items. And thank you for schooling me about Bern! I should have caught that. Am I correct that the manual is German? I think I assumed so because a few other items he left me were purchased in Germany during the war.

As mentioned, is there some sort of registration for these watches?
And most importantly, from the pictures and serial number does it seem reliable to state that this is a 1942 watch?

And to Joseph, although I am certainly brand-new to the subject matter, I did see a couple of times – and I thought a picture or two, about the earliest Chronomats not having the red arrow. At least that was what was making me think I had an early one.

Thank you again ~

German is the language they speak in Bern No one can say for certain it is from 1942, because accurate serial number cataloging did not exist until 1944. However, it is widely accepted that Chronomat's first appeared in 1942. And since you have one of (if not the) oldest known example, it stands to reason it is from 1942.

Your grandfather clearly intended to keep that watch as a collector's piece, which he managed to do for about 70+ years. Cheers to him.

Wow, awesome condition.