The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have been reading this forum and realizing how great of a resource it is. Now, possibly, it might be able to help me out. My grandfather gave me his old Breitling chronograph a few years ago. The story goes that he bought it during he Korean war when he was about to be shipped over to Korea (my grandmother not too happy about the debt incurred.) He wore it faithfully from then until one day when it abruptly disappeared. He couldn't figure out where the watch went and eventually gave up hope on finding it. Something like 4 years later, he was working in his garden with a big rotary tiller when one of my uncles bent down and said, "Hey, you dropped your watch." There it was. Upon winding, the thing still ran. I know that he had it sent away to someone, I believe in Louisianna, for cleaning and restoration; though, I have no idea what was actually done to it. At any rate, now it is mine, and I am very interested in knowing more about what it actually is.

As you can see from the pictures below, it is in rough shape and hasn't been cleaned in awhile. The marks on the back are from when the tiller knocked it back to the surface. Also, does anyone know where I could have this watch repaired and restored (I live in Missouri)?

Pics not showing up on the screen...

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

Sorry, second try:

Hmm, well that's different. It's the 24 hour variant of the 810 Top Time and dates to 1968. What makes it different is that I don't think I have ever seen one with black subdials, and I don't recognise the logo above the Breitling name, it's not a regular Breitling logo.

The lume on the hands is very roughly applied, which I assume was the result of the previous restoration - it doesn't look good at all. I have a hard time believing that the dial was faked, because it is a 24 hour dial, but it's very odd.

In terms of restoration, we have a member here chronodeco (Craig) who is US based and will be able to assist.

Would have looked like this before the dial was redone. There are some slight differences in the case too.

That's what I am far more used to seeing. I'm not sure what the thought process was of the person that did the dial.....

Forgot to mention that since the watch dates to 1968 it wasn't even made when the Korean War was on going. Sometimes the real details get lost in time.

Yeah, I can see that as true. I know that my grandfather owned several chronographs, so he had probably just gotten them mixed up over the years. As for the restoration, where and how it was done remains a mystery that I will never figure out. You are right, Roffensian, Whoever redid the lume did a horrible job....hence my wanting to be confident in the next person I entrust it to for restoration.

but I think that dial has a funky charm all its own. It ain't correct, but was Grandpa always correct either?

I would clean it up and restore it to working condition and leave the dial alone.

[Note to file: do the same for me when the time comes.]

I actually like the black on black. The logo is, well let's say "not really me" and the lume would need to be redone inside the lines for my taste, but I agree on the sentiment.

soooo, any ideas where I could send it for a good restoration?

Same answer as I gave you on January 31st:



Not sure whether he will be interested in a piece like this, but he would be the first person I would ask.