The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Let's start with the usual disclaimer - my photography skills suck!

I have said on here a number of times that I am looking for more unusual watches, so it's easy to see why this watch appealed to me. The niche brands are really getting my attention these days, although that does sometimes require me to compromise on the movement - if you want a niche brand with an in house movement then you can be faced with some very big prices. In this case the movement is a modified ETA 2892-A2, but clearly it's fairly heavily modified.



It's a regulator layout with hours at the top, minutes in the centre and seconds at the bottom. It's very easy to read when you get used to it - which of course is the point of the regulator. Unfortunately there is no AR so it's not as legible as it might be, although that's a minor point. There is also no lume, which I find odd, but again isn't a big deal for me. Despite the fact that the hour and minute hands are silver on a light background the legibility isn't an issue.

The dial is simply the most interesting that I own. The centre of the dial is sapphire crystal which shows most of the running train and also acts as a carrier for the seconds indexes which are eccentric adding even more interest. The 'framework' of the dial is polished steel and the outer chapeter ring that carries the minutes indication has a mother of pearl look to it. The date is a long way down in the window which gives a real feeling of depth that draws the eye in - something that's emphasized by the recessed sapphire crystal that is a few mm below the bezel.

Of course the most interesting aspect of the dial is the meteorite which has a random series of lines and blocks that have a different look to them depending on the angle that you look at them from - it's spectacular



The case isn't content to let the dial get all of the attention though, it's a work of art. It's apparently made from "Die Hard Extreme Steel", which I guess means that it's going to stand up fairly well! The combination of brushed and polished surfaces (the bezel is polished) works very well, and of course the shape is unique with the combination of oval case and unusual dial opening.

The way that the case flows into the lugs makes the whole thing feel very integrated, and the shoulders that act as crown protectors have the same effect. The polished screw down crown also really stands out against the case



This is a big watch - 51mm across, and sits high (15mm), but it doesn't look too big on my 7 3/4" wrists



I do have to admit though that this watch is going to get noticed

The strap is very nice - as you can see from the crown photo it's very thick at the case and tapers as it wraps around the wrists. It also fits the shape of the case which just adds to the quality feel. It has two floating keepers, but has a very good design that provides a couple of rubber extensions on the sides of the short side of the strap that hold the first keeper in place - effectively turning it into a fixed keeper while providing the flexibility that floating keepers have - the kind of attention to detail that you rarely see. My common complaint with straps is that they aren't long enough, but this one doesn't have that issue. I have it on the 4th hole (it's deployant, but still needs to be set to the holes in the strap - more on that later) and there are still 7 more holes which means that the tail sits comfortably in both keepers.



When closed the clasp looks incredible with the theme of brushed and polished finishes carrying through and the FV logo being cut out of the clasp

The deployant is a well designed butterfly style with push button release that makes it very secure, and it feels very comfortable



The deployant adjustment is bizarre. The adjustment fits through the hole in the rubber strap and fits the hole perfectly making it very secure and minimizing any wear on the strap. However, instead of a push down lock that you would expect on most deployants of this style, the adjuster is held in place with a screw. And we aren't talking about a small screw. You can see it on the left side of the photo above - I had to raid my household tool kit, my largest watchmaking screwdriver was way too small. It's not an issue, because you won't be adjusting it every day, but I found it very odd.

The back is a display back, but the rotor hides most of the movement. Although it's an ETA movement the level of finishing is very good, and a nice touch is that the FV design remains stationary while the rotor moves.



The watch also comes with a Swiss Kubik winder, and they even include the batteries - a nice touch.

So, am I pleased with this watch? Heck yeah!

I've been aware of Franc Vila for some time, and when the opportunity came up to get this after the Martin Braun fell through it just seemed like fate so I had to make a move. The quality is exceptional, and while it's not an in house movement, it's also not the same as any other 2892-A2 based watch. I may even pick up another Franc Vila down the road, this watch is really standing out for me.

It's not a watch for everyone, but that's one of the reasons why it is a watch for me.

Very nice review, Roff. It certainly fits the bill of "wierd," but also seems quite funtional and surprisingly elegent. Congrats on the pick up and thanks for sharing it with us.

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SHARKMAN

nice review roff. i like the piece. like shark said it fits the bill for weird, but it looks great. i think the fact that its 51mm across but more oval shaps makes the watch seem to work well on your wrist. congrats on the new piece.

The back of it is nearly as unique as the front. Nice "departure" watch and I'm sure a conversation-starter

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

That looks superb Roff. Much better in fact than I thought it would. I really like it.....a lot!

Just one thing though - doesn't the name Franc Vila sound like a Premiership football manager to you? It does to me!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I know what you mean - it's not exactly a 'traditional' watchmaking name is it. "Hey, do you like my new watch - Franc made it!"

Weird how we associate certain names with images.

Until you mentioned the size, I was lukewarm. But knowing the height especially, and looking at your wristshot, I can imagine how stunning this watch must be in the metal! Congrats prof!!

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a few Pams...

A bit over for my taste, but love the regulateur style dial... thanks for the review! Regulateurs are always on my buy list.

Besides, I can't pull off a 51mm. My friend has a B4B and that looks way awkward on my wrist.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Thanks for the great review of a very desirable timepiece Roff.

There are myriad wonderful design details, which I always like.

On initial viewing it does look a little fussy but when you actually stop and look at it all of the elements work nicely as a whole.

The specs make it sound massive but it does seem to wear very well on your wrist.

Great pick up.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

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Thanks Ricardo!

I think that it wears more reasonably because the size is only excessive across the watch. The case is only 42mm north to south so even with the height it doesn't seem too big.

Obviously it's not going to slide subtly under a dress shirt, but then it's not that kind of watch!

Ah, I see Roff. That would explain it.

It's very much like my Plo Prof then.

Thanks for the extra info.

Once again: Many Congrats.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

I think that it actually wears slightly smaller than the PloProf because it's not so squared off. It is taller which obviously makes a difference, but there's not much between them.

Roff you are definately brave for jumping outside the mainstream watches. Personally I liked the Martin Braun with the moon complications and in-house movement. Good luck and enjoy~

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Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish - 2009
Breitling B-2 - 2002
Rolex DateJust 18k/ SS (1984 vintage)
Omega Seamaster (1958 vintage)
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece MP6318 - 2003
Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph CV2013-3
Victorinox DiveMaster 500

Don't you mean David Villa currently at Barcelona?

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

Great review Roff. I still think it's kind of ugly but it has been growing on me. Massive watch though

It certainly fits the mold of something different, my sincerest congratulations on the acquisition!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"