NOW OHPF (off-forum) - Thanks to BS for hosting!Gentlemen,
Up for grabs is a stunning Breitling Chronomat Evolution, the A13356. The Chronomat Evolution is Breitling's 'Flagship' model. Briefly, it's a full set from 2005, with 3 deployant straps and a clasp. Have a read, and check out the pictures
This Chronometer Certified model, which incorporates the Breitling 25 Jewel Calibre 13 movement (based on the ETA 7750 Valjoux), was officially produced between 2005 to 2007 before being renamed as just the Chronomat in 2008. Mine is a 2005. The self-winding movement features 30 Minute and 12 Hour totalizers, a subdial main time Seconds register, with a Central Chronograph seconds hand. It has a 42 hour rated power reserve.
I've had my watchmaker (Steve, Ryte Time) inspect the movement, and regulate it for me. It's running within COSC Specs (consider it within +/-5 seconds per day for the purposes of the sale).
Some Specs and further info can be found here:
http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_de ... mat_3.htmlCONDITION REPORT:
Crystal: The Sapphire Crystal is in perfect condition, no marks of any kind. The Anti-Reflective coating is mint too.
Dial: It's a beauty! It's a super crisp white, with recessed steel-framed Subregisters in a very light Champagne colour with a concentric circle finish. Quickset Date Window at 3, steel-framed. Applied arabic numerals , in high-polish steel, and 'cut' where subregisters overlap. Small lumed square markers to outer of each numeral. Minute marker track to outer of dial, with a 0-100 Scale on inner section of the raised outer Chapter ring, which has a Tachymetre Scale on the upper section. All in immaculate condition, lume is excellent.
Hands: Hour and Minute hands are steel 'Pencils', with a luminous fill. The central Chronograph hand is steel, with a lumed arrowhead tip, and a stylised 'B' counterbalance. All excellent, and again, the lume glows nicely, and lasts for a good spell.
SubDial Registers: Main Time Seconds recorder at 9, 30 minute totalisator at 12, 12 hour totalisator at 6. Hands on Chrono SubDials are black needles, while the black Seconds hand has an arrow design. All function perfectly, and 'flyback' correctly.
Case: The case is a classic diver-style, in highly-polished steel. It's a big beast, officially 43.7mm across without Crowns/Pushers, and wears bigger (50mm with Crown!). Condition is excellent - there are some unavoidable 'hairlines' and minor swirls on the mirror-polish finish, but no dinks or other nastiness. I'm struggling to find anything else detrimental. There are negligible strap-changing marks on the inside of the lugs, nothing serious. I've taken photos of the case from all angles, without the strap fitted, so you can see the condition.
Caseback: The caseback is a 15-sided screwback type. Markings are clear, including Model and Serial numbers, again with some very light hairlines, but nothing obvious, and no scratches or dinks - see photos.
Bezel: There is a unidirectional steel bezel, which turns smoothly with 120 ratcheted 'clicks'. It's in a brushed finish to the upper surface, highly polished to the sides. It has a riveted outer, traditional diver engraved markings, with raised riders at the quarters. The chimney (where the bezel meets the crystal) has one or two light scuff marks, nothing deep, just shiny. Lumed 'pip' at 12. Signed in Script 'B' on bezel edge at 58. One or two very light marks and hairlines on the bezel, and some very minor scuffing to the edge in places, but only if you're really looking for them, and even then only up close.
Crown/Pushers: Original 3-position screwdown-to-lock 'Pineapple' ridged steel crown, plus two pushers, with screwdown 'sleeves' that prevent accidental use of the chronograph, and aid in water resistance. Really nice condition, and all work perfectly.
Movement/Running: I've had my watchmaker (Steve, Ryte Time) inspect this for me, and he's regulated the movement. It's running well within COSC specs - over the last 24 hours, it's accurate to +/-1 second - consider it within +/- 5 seconds for the purposes of the sale. The Breitling-signed Calibre 13 Automatic movement is in excellent order, and running accurately. All functions work perfectly (date clicks over at midnight, chrono resets to zero etc.). Please note that the watch has not been pressure tested recently - the Chrono Evolution is rated at up to 300M, but I would advise a full WR test before immersion in water.
Bracelet/Strap: The watch is supplied with 3 Deployant straps! First up is a lightly used Breitling Black Croco (744P), some 'crackling' to the underside, but overall very good. There's also a 22-20 Breitling Hide Leather strap, in Brown, Reference 438X. This strap is well worn, with commensurate marks, but no tears or significant damage, though the underside is very discoloured. Finally, I'm throwing in a 'BOB' genuine Sharkskin, in a very smart Desert brown, which is brand new, still in original packaging. All 3 straps can be utilised with the included Breitling Foldover Deployant Clasp, in steel , with the original impressed-style logo on the clasp. The clasp is used, but in very nice condition - I've given it a gentle polish, and it's come up nicely, some negligible light swirlies and hairlines.
Box/Papers: Full set as follows: Outer Yellow/Silver Box; Bakelite Black Box with display cushion; Yellow Document wallet; Instruction Manual; COSC Certificate; Original Warranty Booklet (dated 19/4/2005, and Dealer stamped); Authorised Distributor's leaflet; Bakelite Box leaflet; original Hang Tag with watch details; Original Retailer purchase receipt from April 2005 (not pictured); Bezel protector. The yellow outer box is in very good condition, while everything else is pretty much mint - even the Bakelite Box is in super nick, all lettering present and hinges intact!
Measurements: Width (without Crown): 43.7mm. Thickness: 17.1mm. Lug-to-lug: 52mm. Lug Width 22mm. Weight (on Deployant/Clasp) 145 grams.
Other: The Chronomat Evolution is a big watch, very deep at 17.1mm, as well as wide on the wrist. It's a heavy watch too - though this example comes with leather/croco/sharkskin straps rather than a bracelet, it stills weighs in at an impressive 145 grams, and has a real wrist presence.
This is a lovely example of the Evolution. I know that the previous owner only wore it sparingly, which is reflected in the condition - the watch is coming up to 9 years old, but even if I say so myself, the condition on this one is remarkably good. I've been very thorough in my description, and if anything I tend to be over-critical. If you've read this far, you'll know it's not mint, but I'd be surprised if you could find a similarly aged model in as nice order as this.
On the 'bay, the cheapest of those listed that I could find was an non Box/Paper version, and the seller is asking @£1890 (plus £80 shipping). Of those actually sold, a comparable model to mine (but without papers) went for £1950. I found several that ranged upwards from £2200 to £2795, though they do include the bracelet.
Mine comes with the 3 straps and deployant clasp rather than a bracelet, it's got the full Box & Papers, and is in terrific condition. I'll put this up at an extremely reasonable £1799. The price includes Next Day Special Delivery for UK Forum members - It's a heavy package (@1kg) and will cost me about £14.00 to post. If you're overseas, you will need to contact me for exact Shipping costs based on destination. I'll shoulder the first £14 costs, but there will be a minimum surcharge of around £15 for Western Europe, up to a maximum £25 extra for Asia/Australia. I'll use a courier (Fed-Ex/UPS) for safer Tracked Shipping.
I reckon that's an extremely good deal for someone out there, so the price is firm. Trades/PX offers welcome, but I'm trying to rationalise the collection a bit, so ideally would prefer a straight sale. Other Breitlings or Omega Divers/Moonwatches are my weak point though...
I've loads of Feedback on here, I'm a 'Top Rated' e-bay seller (2700+ deals, 100%, username 'goonermike'), and I've got plenty of Feedback on TZ-UK (username BigBird), so there are no worries there.
I'd prefer payment by BT. PayPal if absolutely necessary, or for overseas, but I cannot accept PayPal Gifts (my account just won't accept them, and I get charged even on gifts). So if you want to use PayPal, it'll be via the 'official' route, and you'll need to add 3% to contribute towards Fees.
If I've missed anything, you'd like more info or pics, please feel free to PM me.
Cheers!
Mike
Photos - in 3 consecutive posts due to bandwdith restrictions....starting with some head shots:
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