The Breitling Watch Source Forums

the case is a screw back waterproof ref. 765 - the Top Time ref. 810 dial in it is quite an enigma.

I'm still trying to learn what the differences are in the 765, Co-Pilot, 810, Top Time, and AVI.

The friend who gave it to me bought it new in 1965 or 66. Didn't keep any boxes or papers. He got it wet after years of use and it quit. He put it in a drawer for probably 20 years. I remembered it when I was a little kid and I asked him about having a chronograph. I thought it might be a Speedy pre-moon. It was this 765 Top Time, he gave it to me, said not to spend too much money on it. It now has a name, "Enigma".

Got it, thanks Fred...

Mike, it is a beautiful watch and provenance is as impeccable as it gets, as you are communicating with the original owner: as discussed before, there were several of these pretty hermaphrodites, so you are not alone - but according to all available documentation the case/dial/hands combo is rather enigmatic.

Just to show how the models should "normally" look:

A gen. 1 Top Time ref. 810, monocoque case (later ge.2 models had different dial, hands, lugs and a pressure back).


These are Premier ref. 765, "waterproof" screw backs.






And here is an AVI; a later ref. 7650 AVI, but 765 AVI were almost identical, these had 12h rotating bezels on a screw back case, different dials and rather special hands.



to add a bit to the confusion, in the last years of the original Breitling's life, they did "officially" marry the two lines and produced a ref. 7656 AVI with a 12h bezel and "Top Time" branding on the dial

I would say that sometime around 1990 someone made up a variety of 765/7650/7656 cases (maybe others) with Top Time dials. I do not consider them authentic, but you so see them fairly often and with a range of case ref numbers. The case serial numbers on the cases are sometimes back into the 1960s and some show quite a bit of wear.

Was my reaction whenever I saw these Bill, but in this case we have the person who originally purchased this watch in the 1960s and never had it changed or restored, I have no reason to doubt Mike's word.
Enigma.

And then here's mine with the 15 min "yachting" bezel. This one's got the 765CP designation.

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

Fred,
Thanks for the lesson. You are generous with your knowledge and your advice. I am not too concerned with the perceived value of "Enigma" (thanks for giving it a name) as its sentimental value is all that really matters. I'll never sell it.

Bob, the original owner, was my late father's best friend. They were jet engine mechanics together at Delta Airlines. Bob took flying lessons and Dad would fly in the single engine planes with him while he was logging hours. I remember seeing that watch when I was a wee lad and thinking how cool he was - an airline pilot. He was one of very few who do not get their flight training from the military. Super guy, and extremely nice to give me this great watch.

The only problem I see is that my watch obsession has now taken a turn for vintage. I'm trying to buy another project watch from a friend. It's a Heuer Autavia Chronomatic (apparently they had to drop the "Chronomatic" pretty early in the Autavia production because Breitling had it trademarked) and it's been in a motorcycle crash so the bezel has some pretty bad road rash. I'll have to buy a donor watch to get a bezel. It's the Siffert version. Also a one-owner watch. It may be out of my reach.

another Top Time 765 to add, just guided a WUS member through his purchasing decision of this one; seller claims he has owned it from 1965; Craig has inspected/adjusted it.
More and more convinced these are legit, though still strange.
Bill will disagree.

impressive condition, was tempted.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200961273812?ss ... 940wt_1228

+1 !!!



errmm i do not believe this is an AVI tho ?

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

These have become as common as hen's teeth
Looks like mine except mine has chrome hands and a good bit more age on the lume. Probably from so many hours in the high altitude sunlight (original owner was an airline pilot).
Congrats to the new owner. Good catch Fred!

You're right ! sorry for the confusion.