The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi

I would be grateful if anyone could help me identify this old watch that has been left to me. My Father bought it 2nd hand from a Jewellers shop in London in the 1950's, and certainly he always believed it was genuine. I am in the process of getting a Vintage watch repairer in Glasgow to fix and refurbish the watch, but I would appreciate any comments the forum might have on the following photographs.

Many thanks

Keith

it would be very interesting to see movement shots & inner caseback.
there is no way to date the watch exactly, but it looks like a very early ref. 765 to me, though there is no reference number on the outer caseback.

Very promising - nice looking piece. As Fred says, the inside of the caseback and movement would be revealing. Your watchmaker will let you take photos once he has the caseback off.

My best guess is it has a Venus 152 inside but it might be a 178. Pretty early for either and probably the earliest three register I can remember seeing. No reference number isn't unusual for pre 1944.

Thanks for the replies - I'll try to get some internal photos too.

I'm very keen to get the watch working again, as I am a Flying Instructor and the watch has a very clear face showing minutes. I teach the quick calculation of crosswind component, drift, headwind and tailwind all using a watch with the minutes displayed whilst flying, and it would be wonderful to use the Breitling "in anger"!

Best regards

Keith

watch looks just great and it is an extremely interesting piece,
please do post additional pics when you get them, it does
help us document an important piece of history.

a word of caution, though.
should your watchmaker suggest reluming or -
god forbid - refinishing the dial, RUN away!

Hi WatchFred, The watch repairer offers the following service - do you recommend avoiding this and if so, please let me know why....? Thanks Keith

Dial restoration

If the dial of your watch is worn or faded we can restore this to "as new".


see http://www.martinsjewellers.co.uk/Watch-Repairs.php

NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The beauty of this is that it's original, it just needs a sympathetic clean.

We have a watchmaker who is a member of this site, chronodeco (Craig). There are many threads showing the quality of his work and even though he is in the US our European members send him their vintage Breitlings. He is the best that there is and knows how to restore the watch while preserving the original beauty.

To paraphrase a disrespected former member of this site: Am I clairvoyant ?

Next to watchFakers, watchMakers who claim to know what they are doing are the biggest danger in this market.

As Roff said, PLEEEASE leave the dial alone, a sympathetic clean, a little respectful case polish - that´s all this watch needs.

A refinished dial on this would look awful.

I like the sound of a sympathetic clean! All the figures are legible and I would want it to still look as old as it is.

FYI The watch repairer has recommended NOT refurbishing the dial, but a gentle clean. I'll be delivering it to them this week and I will report back on progress.

Many thanks for your help and interest.

regds

Keith