The Breitling Watch Source Forums

All I can say is wow.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1947-8-BREITLING-CHRONOMAT-SLIDE-RULE-MOON-PHASE-18K-ROSE-GOLD-WATCH-/251175940579?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3a7b40b1e3

I don't recall seeing that version in Richter, is that real?

clearly authentic, San. seller admits "early restore" on the dial, red pi missing, script logo seems a bit off.
still very nice, will be interesting at what price it will sell.

Restore as in a redone dial?

as mentioned, several points seem a bit off, seller noticed this so he talks about a "restore",
but other typical "tells" of a restore are absent. interesting, hope others will chime in.

Very interesting.

Logo clearly wrong, Swiss cross forthe patent number also seems off, not sure on the movement engraving and would like a better view - the B seems a little off. From what I can see the hallmarks are fine, although Breitling added to the inside of the case.

It looks original, the dial is period correct with the exception of the noted problems, so have to assume that the dial itself is original. Can't explain missing elements, but the rest looks consistent with a rather amateur restoration.

This is a real collector's piece. The thing that would bug me to distraction is the missing date chapter around the moonphase. If I re-financed the house to get this one, I would have to send it out for a more correct dial re-do.

There is a better example of a steel 801 in the vintage collection at the Timezone FAQ gallery. It's not a great view, but it shows a more correct dial.

Bill, where would you send it for a redo ? Whatever I saw, including the famed Danefi in Barcelona turned out quite disappointing results ? That pice in the TZ FAQ seems to be from the Breitling's own collection ?

It would be a long process. First, I would file my retirement papers and travel to the Himalayas, spend seventeen months in a Buddhist monastery. Then, on to Sicily to labor in vineyards in the shadow of Mount Etna for one entire year. Finally, three weeks in a drunken stupor in New Orleans French Quarter before I clear my head, find a PC and post a query to Breitlingsource to see if anyone had discovered a new dial re-finisher who does outstanding work.

It would be a tradeoff. I think I would prefer the best possible re-painting with the date chapter to the one that has it altogether missing. It might have to go back and forth a couple of times. I just wish the Ukrainians and Argentinians would apply themselves to honest restorations, they seem to have great skill but low ethical standards.

As to the collection Juan imaged and posted at Timezone, it is listed then as owned by a Milwaukee retailer. I wonder that we haven't seen it tour since and I haven't learned whether they still own it or even part of it.

Woah... that is almost worthy of hanging out with the duograph rattys.

Just amusing that he states "try finding one in the Breitling Museum".

Now which museum is that?

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

Hi you all,
Just seen it this morning, Chronomat 801 is really the holly Grail of Chronomat range, you can see it illustrated in the Breitling Book and also page 104 top of the Richter .

Hi Guys

I am new to this forum (as you can tell this is my first post) but I'd like to ask a few questions regarding the watch discussed here.

I was wondering how much a correct restore of the dial would cost.
The other thing that is bugging me is the number "11" on the dial it should just be a "1". Let's say the dial was restored, I can understand that the restorer would forget,- or not add the date numbers on purpose, but why would he paint an 11 instead of the 1? Could it have been a three register dial that was modified for the moonphase? Or is this too far fetched?

What would you think a watch like this is worth in the present condition?

Thanks

I'm not sure that we can answer those questions. This is a rare piece so the market will determine what it is worth. Clearly the market said that this piece wasn't worth the $15,000 asked, but we don't know what the offers were. A dial restoration would be quoted on a case by case basis, but a quality one wouldn't be cheap, even assuming that a 'quality' restoration could be achieved - there seems to be a shortgae of good work avialable.

I think that the dial is fundamentally correct beneath the restoration.

Thanks Roffesian

I do realise that determining the value of such a piece is hard. I know of one that was sold in Germany a while ago. The seller was asking 12.500 Euro's. It sold, but I do not know what for. Another - steel version - sold for around 5k two years ago.

Regarding the serstoration of the dial, is there a ballpark figure you could name or should I go and ask someone like Chronodeco?

Thanks a lot

Chris

Chris, it was listed for $15,000; then relisted w/ a $8,000 starting bid several times, in the end for an 8k BIN:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251209320676?ss ... 1438.l2649

the last listing has ended, but does not show "sold"; so at a price of around Euro 6,000 there were no "takers" that we know of.

the "11" would not bother me, the watch shown in Richter has applied numerals and shows an "11", the two other examples we have seen have totally different dials, shown below.

we have to assume that all three documented watches are correct (not totally convinced w/ the TZ piece), but they show rather little similarities to the one on offer; massively botched restoration, I'm afraid.

as discussed above - none of us knows of a dial refinisher we would trust (this sadly does include Craig/chronodeco, he hates them more than all of us).

The Book, applied indices (interestingly a capitals logo)


Richter, applied numerals


TZ vintage showcase - gut feeling SHOUTS redial, but very well done ?