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Extreme Breitling Makeover
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Author:  chronodeco [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Extreme Breitling Makeover
A customer sent me this 40s Breitling about 2 months ago and it was one of the worst ones I have ever seen from this era. His father wore it in WWII as a bomber pilot in raids over Germany. He asked that it be restored as if it were my own. I tried cleaning the dial (as seen in the 2,3 and 4 before pics) but it was too far gone so it went out for refinishing. Interestingly, the movement was not signed but I have seen this before on very early Breitlings - this one could never have been a fake. The back has the correct reference and serial numbers but the inside is not signed either.
Here are the before and afters. It was a pleasure bringing this one back to life. Craig
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Author:  Roffensian [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
Rarely am I lost for words Craig, but that is simply unbelievable. The quality of the work is just exceptional, you get all my restoration business from this point forward.

The movement of a piece this old would likely not be signed - I would be more wary of it if it were, and as you say the caseback not being signed is also correct.

I hope that this piece will be a fitting tribute to the gentleman's father.
Author:  In2Deep [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
WOW! :bow: Craig. That's crazy :shock:
Author:  BoneDoc [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
Craig. I am just now starting to appreciate the real vintage works. Will likely not buy one for a great while and will NEVER be a Roffensian. But I can certainly appreciate fine restoration having restored many cars MUCH older than that watch. Good Sir, that is a masterful restoration. You are to be commended. Any more work like that and Roff should talk to you about that ancient pocket watch he posted on. VERY impressive! :shock:
Author:  bnewbie [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
What did you do with the dial?
Looks like different one.
Author:  chronodeco [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:14 am ]
Post subject:  Extreme Breitling Makeover
The dial was refinished at International Dial at a cost of around $50. Typically these shops use printing dies they have on hand to print all of the markings and scales as close to the originals as possible. BUT, you are are at their mercy of making those decisions and they aren't always great. Now if you want a perfect and exact copy if all of the markings and printings, it can cost 100s of dollars (which I have done for some customers) to make new dies but in the end it is still a refinished dial that will NEVER be as good as a perfect original. Craig
Author:  Driver8 [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
That is absolutely incredible. :bow:

Firstly Craig, I can guarantee that if ever I am in need of any refurbishment work on a watch, you will be getting my business. No question.

Secondly, it gives me real joy to know that the watches I own today (especially as they are all mechanical) can always be restored back to fantastic condition. Considering how far gone that 40's model was, the results are nothing short of spectacular.

AMAZING work.
Author:  taffytoon [ Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
Craig, I take my hat off to you 8)

Wow that is a great job :lingsrock:
Author:  Jarl Fr. [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
Very nice work Craig!
It's really impressive to se how you have restored the worn case.

Jarl
http://www.classicheuers.blogspot.com
Author:  Sharkmouth [ Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
That is unbelievable! :mouthdrop:

Sir, if I was wearing a cap, I would doff it to you :D

:bow:
Author:  Mark_29 [ Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
must be fabulous wearing such a watch knowing its history.
Author:  vintage [ Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
Your usual great job Craig! I am curious though as to why you changed the hands. I think the original hands looked fine and a little earlier than the hands you installed bit still an admirable job.

Paul
Author:  Filip [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover
wow, that's amazing!
Author:  chronodeco [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:19 am ]
Post subject:  Extreme Breitling Makeover - Paul's Question
Paul - the main reason I changed the hands was at the request of the owner - he wanted lume hands. Also, the originals were pited badly and could not have been restored as blued hands - they would have had to have been painted.
I did not have a set of the exact originals and I don't know if I could have found them - they are fairly rare in good condition. Thanks, Craig
Author:  vintage [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Extreme Breitling Makeover - Paul's Question
chronodeco wrote:
Paul - the main reason I changed the hands was at the request of the owner - he wanted lume hands. Also, the originals were pited badly and could not have been restored as blued hands - they would have had to have been painted.
I did not have a set of the exact originals and I don't know if I could have found them - they are fairly rare in good condition. Thanks, Craig


Thanks for the answer Craig, I knew those original hands were hard to find.

Paul
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