NO LOVE FOR THIS VINTAGE BEAUTY, SO SHE'S NOW WITHDRAWN AND OFF TO THE BAY....
I've a bit of a rare one here, a circa 1973 Breitling 1451 'Long Playing' Chronograph, which uses the Valjoux 7736 Manual Winding movement. It's been serviced, and is running beautifully, and the Chrono works and resets perfectly.
It's a huge 41mm Gold Plated Cushion Case version, purchased from another watch Forum, though that was back in April 2011. At the time, it was sold as 'in need of attention', as it was running faster than Usain Bolt. Little did I know what I'd let myself in for....
After multiple visits to my watchmaker, I finally received the 'it's ready' message in November 2011, which gives you some idea of the issues my little man had with it. He has had to basically strip and rebuild the movement twice, including sourcing several replacement parts, and has fully serviced the watch (paperwork included). It is now running perfectly, keeps very accurate time (+-10 secs per day, or better), and all chrono functions are spot on. A new acrylic crystal was also fitted (old crystal is included, has some light scratches which should polish out).
It's probably easier if I describe the watch with accompanying pictures.
We'll start with the movement. A fully cleaned and serviced Valjoux 7736, signed 'Breitling Watch Co' on the bridge, '17 Seventeen Jewels, Unadjusted' on the movement, and with the Valjoux logo and '7736' clearly engraved under the regulator arm - it's a lovely piece of work:
The backcase, inside and out, plus the internal movement cover. Lovely condition, a few minor bumps on the backcase, and some light swirlies, but pretty damn good for a near 40 year old:
The Dial is a stunner. It's a metallic Champagne colour, signed with the stylised 'B', and 'BREITLING GENEVE' above centre, and 'T SWISS MADE T' at 6 o'clock. There are 3 subdials, also in Champagne, but with a 'guilloche' textured finish. The subdial at 3 is a 30 minute chrono register, the subdial at 6 is a 12 hour chrono register, while the subdial at 9 is the Seconds Hand register. The subdial register hands are black, sword style. The Hour and Minute hands are black, 'spear' style, with a white fill. Though the fill is in perfect condition, it isn't luminous anymore, as it probably was back in the day. The central Chronograph hand is an over-long black 'needle' style. There are applied gold markers instead of numbers, double sized at 12. A tachymetre scale is to the outer.
The case. It's a big old beast, 41mm without crown/pushers, and 45.5mm lug to lug - that's on the big size by today's standards, so would have looked enormous in the 70's. It's also 13mm thick, so wears quite high on the wrist. It's gold plated, with no significant wear or fade to the plating, suggesting at least a 20 micron depth. There are some minor nibbles as you would expect, the most obvious being a dink on the outer edge of the case at 36, which I've shown in the pics - but it's not huge gouge or anything nasty. The pushers are in good condition, with some very light fade to the gold plate on the top as you may expect. Crown is very nice, and the stylised 'B' is clear.
The watch is currently on a nice 'Bob' real Sharkskin deployant strap (19mm), with a steel Breitling Foldover clasp (old style embossed logo). Strap is used, but in nice condition, clasp is very good, minor swirlies only:
However, I've also got a 19mm (19-16) Breitling OEM hide deployant strap, in British Racing Green, used but good, that goes surprisingly well - this can be included in the package if you'd like it:
And finally, some wrist shots - I'm an 8.2" wrist, and the 41mm case doesn't look out of place. You can also see the way the guilloche subdials catch the light in these shots:
I'll also include a new Breitling Service Case for the buyer, either the older rectangular style, or the newer box style, whichever is preferred.
I've kept an eye on the 'bay over the last few months, and the going rate is anything from £600 to £1400, so to price this is difficult - they don't come up very often, certainly not in this condition, with a recent service. There was one in the Sales Corner not so long ago that was £600 ($900), with some cosmetic issues, without any service details, and on a generic strap. I reckon that makes this one worth at least £900. Still, it's got to go, so how about £850, £775
NOW £700, and for that
I'll include RMSD, and the Breitling British Racing Green Deployant strap. If you don't want the Green strap, you can reduce the price by £30. If you're overseas, please add £8 to the price, as this will need to be shipped by fully tracked and insured mail.
I've loads of Feedback on here, plenty more on TZ-UK (usertname 'BigBird', though the search facility on there is limited), plus I'm a 'Top Rated' e-bay seller (2000+ deals, 100%, username 'goonermike'), so there are no worries there.
I'd prefer BT. PayPal if absolutely necessary, but I cannot accept PayPal Gifts (my account just won't accept them, and I get charged even on 'gifts' - they're trying to sort it out). So if you want to use PayPal, it'll be via the 'official' route, and you'll need to add 3.4% to cover Fees.
If I've missed anything, you'd like more info or pics, please feel free to PM me.
Cheers!
Mike
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), so a chunky £75 reduction, and down to £775.
- another £75 off, and now a steal at