The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Gentlemen,

the following 769 was recently acquired from the Middle East. I'm interested in what you think with respect to originality, particularly with respect to the unmarked movement.

Unmarked movement doesn't bother me, although a little surprised to see Geneva stripes. More familiar with lumed dials though and this looks a little new, I think that non lumed ones ere produced, but not convincd about this - will let others comment. What's the serial number on the inside of the caseback?

Roff, I am not surprised of Geneva strips which look typical from 2ndWW period. Here is a pic of my own Chronomat in the same number sequence than the Chronomat recently sold - it was in Jordania and very nice

Yes, that's right, it came from Amman. 508383 on the inside caseback.

Tremendously reassuring, that photo of yours, saabreit.

Is there a reason this got moved to the Fake/Franken thread?

Lou, assume that Roff has moved the post because it is an "authenticity check" ?

no reason to worry at all, Phil (saabreit) has actually posted a link to the Amman auction some weeks ago to present a very, very nice specimen of an early Chronomat 769 - the watch is in enviable condition; dial, hands and even the crystal seem all original and correct, also the serial number inside the caseback is right for these early variations - quite perfect, really.

the unsigned movement is absolutely fine for this period, we only see movement engravings from 1944/1945 onwards, some early pieces like yours and Phil's have Cotes de Geneve decorations, some do not; on later pieces we see gilded and ungilded movements, Breitling signed bridges and some with "Breitling Premier", both on SS and 18k Chrononmats.

The dial seems a little too perfect at first glance, like out of a time warp, but it shows no signs at all of refinishing for me, just an example of a perfectly preserved icon - congrats again.

Roff, this dial is correct and has been around from the "early days", did not see that variation on any 1950s Chronomat 769, both the 1944 and the 1946 catalog show this specific watch, the dial variation makes it a ref. 769/B.

here's the Chronomat page from 1946:

Well there you go

Moved to replica because that's what the section is for - requests for authentication, we do the same with contemporary pieces.

I had forgotten about Phil's Geneva stripes and good to hear that the non lumed dial is correct.

Frankly, I have kept this Chronomat in my watchlist from beginning to end of the auction ... heavy temptation! I have a dozen of WIP projects at the moment, so no big purchase at the moment , but it was hard for me to be reasonable about this one!

I can understand that, Phil; a rare beauty.

Thank you gentlemen for all the info, especially the images of the saabreit's model close in case number and that advertisement page.

Nice catch Lou.

Interesting that it has a Swan neck regulator - never seen a chronomat with one of these and to me speaks of an early
quality movement.

Eitan, good to have you here again, sorely missed. overlooked that swan regulator, first I actually see - or notice - on a 175 ?

Thanks for your kind words Fred. Will try and be less of a stranger

I think it's the first time I've seen the swann neck regulator in a venus movement as well. My understanding is
that movements could be ordered and produced at different quality levels - not exactly sure what the differences
would be (would love to know more) - so perhaps we have an example of Breitling ordering a higher grade version of the
movement in what would have been their flagship watch at the time?