The Breitling Watch Source Forums

New to the forum.

I had started collecting watches 20 years ago, partially because my grandfather was a watchmaker and I bought a Hamilton from him after I got out of school. Later, I lucked into a sale of two NOS in the box vintage Bulova's, a mini accutron 214 clock, a new Hamilton Polaris from the liquidation of a Jewelry store. After he passed away, I purchased a couple of watches from his inventory of older movements and parts. This included a Harwood Perpetual, a Curvex, and this Breitling Chronomat. My kids are my focus, and so I am going to sell off some of the watches and keep 1 or 2 special ones. In researching, and reading on this site, it became clear that if I list a watch somewhere, it will get scrutinized, so I figure I might as well do it ahead of time.

The watch was missing the back, and also had a bent stem or winder, with no crown. The dial had a reddish oxidation to it.

I purchased a dial off of ebay 3-4 years ago. I believe it to be original, especially with the blemish by the 1. I still have the old dial.
I the dial installed, had the watch cleaned, oiled, and repaired. They found a back that worked, although I have no belief that it is a Breitling. They replaced the stem or winder, although there is no B on it. The repair person found that ran fine outside the case, but in the case, it would stop after several hours.

This brings me to my question. Before attempting to sell this watch, I would rather know now of any other discrepancies. Is this the right movement for the chronomat? Anything else I am overlooking? I do not know whether premier on the movement is correct or not for a chronomat

I am trying to decide what to do with it, but understanding any other issues might help me decide whether to repair or restore and make it one of the ones I keep, or just sell it.

Would appreciate your scrutiny and feedback.

Thanks
Paul

Welcome to BreitlingSource.

I think that you nailed most of the issues. The bezel looks weird, but I think that is just the very odd shaped crystal on it that is so high that it is making the bezel look a bit off. Not a big fan of your watchmaker, movement is a correct 175 and the engraving is OK, but there's at least one screw missing in the movement that I can see from that photo. Also surprised to see a no screw balance wheel, which may suggest that some of the running issues are caused by the wrong balance complete in there.

I don't think that you are ever going to get this back to original - the caseback is gone, and that's going to have a big impact on value. You may find that someone will buy it as a parts watch - even if they end up wanting nothing more than the bezel.

Thank you for the reply and feedback.

Several questions.

1. What markings would I expect to find on the back?
At the time, years ago - pre internet, I would have been looking for something that said Breitling, so maybe the cover was overlooked amongst the ton of parts he had. Not sure what my dad still has left of all of it but can try to search again.

2. Is there probability of it being repairable? I understand that can be difficult to assess without it in hand.

3. If I can get it repaired (properly through the services referenced on this site), are these good timekeepers for use everyday as a dress watch? Understanding the impact on value of not having the original back, I might be inclined to keep it for daily use seeing as I would not be risking a high value watch.

One of the reasons for parting with some of the watches I have is that they are NOS or great condition and should not really be worn. Maybe this is a blessing and I land up with a unique watch for daily use (once fixed). Its not a watch my grandfather wore that I recall, but there is still a bit of attchment there.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Likely not with Breitling on the back. Would have two numbers, a six digit number likely starting with 7 and a three digit number - 769.

It's a mechanical watch so yes it's repairable, and the movement looks to be a victim of bad watchmaking more than anything else. A daily wearer, well a 65 year old watch as a daily wearer kind of depends on the lifestyle, but it will certainly make a nice dress watch.

welcome to the forum, you might be interested in this Chronomat 769 restoration thread, including excellent pics of an early SS 769 caseback, this is what your period correct back would look.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=37906

As Roff has said, the incorrect caseback would greatly reduce the resale value of your 769, but all other components looks great - a competent watchmaker will service and restore it to an excellent, beautiful "daily wearer" - as far as a vintage piece can ever be that. The Venus 175 is an outstanding, sturdy and beautiful movement, an excellent timekeeper.