The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi, can someone tell me if breitling between 1930 and 1970 produced the movements and boxes, or simply buy the movements, or complete watches and then they put their brand.
I ask this question because I had the chance to see unknown brand watches or breitling not as famous as they looked alike, had the same caliber venus 170 movement and even the reference number was the same ref from 170 to 178 - 180.
I hope someone can clarify this question.
Thanks in advance.

We've discussed this in the past. I don't think Breitling ever made their own movements until recently. They used Venus, Valjoux, Felsa, etc. The cases often were not exclusive to Breitling either. I've had others from the same timeframe with similar Breitling reference numbers and serial numbers. In most examples I've seen the cases were correctly stamped with the manufacturers name that was also on the dial, but not always. Of course there were cases that were specifically Breitling as in the Chronomat and a few others but I'm always surprised when something I haven't seen before pops up and all the theories go out the window.

Thanks for the prompt reply, I will try to delve into the issue in order to clarify this question, because I like the breitling but I notice that breitling revolutionary is the contribution they have made in terms of scales of various types for specific applications such as aeronautics. I appreciate the real watchmakers patenting new systems and mechanisms such as Jaeger Le Coultre which I believe have the patent record as far as watches are concerned, and I would like to know what that refers breitling which model breitling completely manufactured by their own caliber.
Thanks.

There were some Breitling developed movements, but only in the very early days, and the majority were pocket watch movements. Even when Breitling invented new developments - two pushers for example, they didn't produce the movements themselves, they outsourced - but those were exclusive.

You have to remember that at that time the movement was not considered to be a big deal - the focus was on design and finishing with the movement almost being the 'necessary evil' - that's what ultimately led to the movement firms coming together in the 30s and onwards.

Breitling's use of Venus, Valjoux, Felsa, etc was certainly not exclusive, although some calibers are definitely dominated by Breitling. None of those were built or modified by Breitling themselves.

thanks for your fast reply .
And now I understand no diference on quality of movements from breitling ref 170 with movement venus 170 and any unknown watch with the same movement?
The only diference are the design?

thanks for your patience.

Correct.