The Breitling Watch Source Forums

The second of my three Breitlings.. a Top Time. This is my favourite but again, I know little or nothing about it. I just enjoy wearing it. Any information would be appreciated.
Mark



Hey, I'm getting better at this ..

watch is ref. 2003 Top Time, Generation 1, so most probably produced between 1964 and 1966; movement should be a Venus 188.

Hello Fred,

Just interested, but wondered how you were dating this, I had one very similar to this, marked 2003 with the same very flat case back, that had a Valjoux 7733 movement and a serial number from 1970.

It had a black dial and squared off hands though, unlike this watch. I had one with the same dial hands as this but with a front loading case, that was middle 60's.

thanks
Graham

later pieces, i.e. Gen. 2 after 1967 should have a different (one piece) dial and much wider hands.
so actually quite easy to tell apart as you just have confirmed yourself.

movementwise we have Venus 188s until 1966, "rebranded" Valjoux 7730 from around 1967 (same movement, but Venus was shut down, production transferred to Valjoux), Valjoux 7733 (an adaptation of the 7730, different bridge easiest tell) on later pieces.

Fred,

Thank you, great stuff. The Top Time really did have a serious number of case/movement/dial configurations.

I think they make a great a great everyday watch if you want to wear vintage. Mine seem sturdy enough and if you're patient they still come up reasonable priced online. Easy to fake though.

Graham