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1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 calibre)
https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=67560		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Nick Hacko [ Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:20 pm ]
Post subject:  1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 calibre)
https://youtu.be/zD3ZuTp8PcA


Thank you for watching.

Nick Hacko
Author:  buddman [ Fri Oct 02, 2020 3:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
Wow. Never seen a dial clean up do well.
Author:  WatchFred [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 2:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
watch is from 1946, not 1953.
impressive job on the cleaning, congrats.
most interesting of all is the production error dial here!
Author:  Nick Hacko [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 5:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
Hi Fred -
I know you are an expert in dating vintage Breitling - and I am definitely not - so I am curious to learn what makes you think it is a 1946 model? Venus 170 was in production from 1942 to 1960. Could Breitling case serial numbers be trusted? I have found Breitling Ref 178 in 1953 catalogue and also the mid case is marked '53' underneath the crown tube which looks like a makers signature (it would be highly unlikely for a repairman to leave his sign there). Of course, being a 1946 watch would be even more interesting, so I am happy to stand corrected.

Kind regards,
Nick Hacko
Author:  WatchFred [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 5:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
there is no 1953 catalog
the ref. 178 does not appear in the 1952 catalog
the serial of the watch tells me the precise day it was delivered to Breitling, also tells me who manufactured the case.
yes, this is highly reliable for any chronograph case delivered November 1944 and later.
(of course there are errors and omissions, like in anything humans do)
Author:  WatchFred [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 5:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
as you take pride in being a master watchmaker - for Swiss made solid gold cases you actually don’t need me to tell you the case manufacturer, the number inside the “hammerhead” next to the hallmark tells that too, here manufacturer was Monnier SA
Author:  WatchFred [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 7:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
sorry, jsu saw I wasn‘t sufficiently clear re „how do you tell“:

the general dating list published here: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=31437 is quite precise, I‘ll update the list soon, but the changes are minimal.

In addition to that we have a database that gives us precise ledger information down to the day cases were delivered to Breitling, that info isn‘t public, so serial ranges won‘t be available to fakers, but rest assured that if I state a specific date and not a „ca. 193x“, this is confirmed by the Breitling ledgers.
Author:  Nick Hacko [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 7:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
WatchFred wrote:
as you take pride in being a master watchmaker - for Swiss made solid gold cases you actually don’t need me to tell you the case manufacturer, the number inside the “hammerhead” next to the hallmark tells that too, here manufacturer was Monnier SA


Marteau sans manche numbers are hardly a secret, but as you've said, knowing who made the case is only half of the "when" answer . Especially when case makers data is not in a public domain.

Re 1953 catalogue: a page in Breitling book (not sure of author right now, the book is in my office) of which I do have a copy- showing photos of Breitling Ref 170 - 178, all 18K gold cases and all based on Venus 170 cal with very minor dial variation. See photo attached. Again, I only have a passing interest in Breitling, the watch came from my junk box and does not really have any special horological value. It simply presented itself as an interesting 'restoration subject' for an entertaining Youtube project.

Again, I do appreciate your expert opinion, thank you Fred.
Author:  WatchFred [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
that‘s a page from the 1946 catalog ;)
and having „passing interest“ in Breitling, the major innovator in chronograph technology from 1913 onwards, isn‘t really something to seem proud of ....
Author:  Nick Hacko [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
WatchFred wrote:
that‘s a page from the 1946 catalog ;)
and having „passing interest“ in Breitling, the major innovator in chronograph technology from 1913 onwards, isn‘t really something to seem proud of ....


I wish I can share your enthusiasm, but I am not a watch collector. As a watch repairer, any mid range watch brand which restricts supply of spare parts to independent watchmakers is hardly worth my interest. And as an actual watchmaker, I find vintage Breitling watches too flimsy: nothing but a cheaply cased third party movements. However, do like variety of dial options, especially those from 60-70s.
Author:  buddman [ Sat Oct 03, 2020 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
Nick. Odd choice you’ve made to come to the most authoritative website of Breitling collectors, and tell us our passion is built around cheaply cased third party movements. You’ll get good pickup on your repair services no doubt from the group here.

Can I suggest some excellent reading, now quite old from Stephen Covey, “How To Make Friends And Influence People', or the quick ten guide here if Forbes?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbri ... eefe284bb4
Author:  Nick Hacko [ Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
buddman wrote:
buddman


The reason for video link was to provide insight to Venus 170 mechanism to forum members, not to engage in discussion about watch collecting or to solicit repair work. If forum moderator finds my post offensive or of no value to other members, he is free to delete it. I have no idea who you are, what are your credential - and since you've failed to introduce yourself properly and respectfully, I don't care. First and last warning.

Nick Hacko
Master Watchmaker
Sydney
Author:  WatchFred [ Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
Mr. “Master” Watchmaker, you show an impressive lack of knowledge and an even more impressive lack of manners. I pity your clients.

and I really can’t think of what you are warning Dave about, maybe to laugh out too loud?
Author:  Nick Hacko [ Sun Oct 04, 2020 3:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
Mandelbaum, what are you smoking? Do people on this forum really put up with your overinflated ego? LOL!
Author:  vintage [ Sun Oct 04, 2020 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1953 Breitling Ref 178 restoration video (Venus 170 cali
I take it nobody caught the two 45 minutes sub dials? Redone dial.
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