The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Is this a real Chronomat or not... please help.

Real.

EDIT: (the movement shot didnt load for me until I refreshed). Now that I see that, I wonder if the movement was replaced. I dont think the early variants had such a finished movement.

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-RJ

Real, but I too have some concerns about the movement being original to this watch.

It was serviced, date font is much newer than it should be, also the hands (chrono seconds hand with logo).
Maybe rotor and other parts of the movement were changed during the service(s).

Thank you all for the suggestions. In conclusion, it is a genuine Breitling after all, but with some differences from the “classic” Chronomat from the 80’s. Maybe this differences came from a previous service (chrono hand with Breitling logo, the movement’s rotor, etc)…

But it is possible that it is later reedited model? The case looks different because of the golden rider tabs of the bezel, the golden winder and buttons…

Here is a picture with an earlier Chronomat an the way it looks like is not so “sophisticated” (no gold on the bezel, or golden winder and buttons) (http://forums.watchuseek.com/f39/breitl ... 13334.html)



An the finishing of the movement is different too, as it can be seen in this photo…


I

Might be, but I think this model was offered in TT from the beginning.

I believe the gold rider tabs and crown is just a variation of the same model as the one you posted in WUS. It doesn't necessarily date it to a different period and doesn't make it a different model. Breitling produces each model with different attributes such as basic stainless steel like the picture you posted from WUS, stainless steel with gold rider tabs and crown like yours, gold bezels and even gold itself. I can't say that is absolutely the case with your watch but it is highly likely.

Like Bnewbie pointed out the differences noted in your watch, specifically the hand change likely came during a servicing at Breitling. The movement itself, at least to me, seems to be highly modified if not a complete replacement but I really don't know movements that well and someone else will have to comment on that.

Irregardless, your watch is not exactly as it came from the factory but more than likely is comprised of original Breitling parts.


Edit: Woops, didn't see BN had already posted. Sorry.

Inside of the case has service marks. No way for me to know whether they are Breitling authorised but it seems like a safe bet as the parts are genuine Breitling.

As stated there were TT versions of this.

Another thing that I just noticed is that the buckle seems to be of the newer "raised wings" variety, even though the strap appears to be pretty old and worn. That would be another indication to me that this watch has had a few upgrades.

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-RJ

Well , now I have the watch - I bought it . Thank you all for the help. One more thing about it: the chrystal is threatet antireflex (it looks blue in certain angles)... I don't think yhis technology was awaible in the 80's. The strap is worned but in general the watch looks like new - I cannot see any scratches or worn areas. The only minus is the lack of luminescent markers on the dial at 9 and 10 - you can see it on the photos. So, I think more and more that this watch is a reisued edition of the old chronomat... the watch, as I mentioned, looks like new (not a 20 years old wach), if there were major changes it si probably the whole watch - case with crystal, ladnds, butons and movement. The only "old" parts shoul be the dial and tha caseback. What do you think?

When Breitling overhauls a watch they refinish the case and it comes back looking like new. I would imagine that that is what youve gotten.

_________________
-RJ

And it's likely that's what happened with the crystal as well ; a new one from Breiltling, replacing the old one.

Congratulations on the purchase. It's a beautiful piece.