The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am brand new to this forum and I just wanted to share some photos of my Breitling Chronomat 801. My father bought this watch brand new and it passed on to me recently. It had sat in his drawer for about 30 years as the movement needed some work and getting this done in New Zealand proved to be difficult. I have just had it repaired and it is now working and keeping good time. The watchmaker suggested that we do not clean the dial as the lettering looks a little fragile and this could make it worse. In fact I have been wearing the watch for the last few weeks and it is a nice comfortable size and fit. The serial numbers date this to 1949. This appears to be a most unusual model with the gold markers instead of numerals and the gold hands are original to this watch also. As this watch has been unmolested it may be of interest to other members as it seems to be quite unique for this model. Your comments are naturally welcome re this unusual piece.

what a day on the forum, two new members with two of the rarest and most beautiful Breitlings ever produced.

welcome, SouthernJoe; a wonderful icon, thank you for sharing it !

bridge form and engraving are quite interesting for a 1949 piece, we are learning a lot here - no two pieces we see share the same dial design; here are some examples: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=43469&hilit=801+moonphase&start=15

Welcome Joe

I can only echo what fred has said

Spectacular piece, one of the rarest of all breitling watches

When you have time, would you mind posting a picture of the casebaxk outside where the numbers are ?

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

Congrats, is a beauty!

I can see that the 801 has already generated some interest, that is wonderful. When I started to research this watch I found very little information which led me to believe it was a little rare and this is the only one I have seen with this particular dial with the nicely reflective pyramid gold hour battens. I read a comment somewhere on this site, which suggested that so few of this model were sold that they may have been custom made or assembled. The best part of all of this is that my late fathers watch lives again and I am getting a huge amount of enjoyment from it. At the request of Breitling Maniac I have attached the case back photo showing the serial and model numbers. If you cannot read off the photo, the serial number is 735171, which your records show 1949 I believe.

Another fantastic watch - we are being spoiled today by new members. That 801 is a remarkable piece, and even more special to have the family history. I'm very glad that your watchmaker chose to leave the dial alone, it's a true survivor piece and in very wearable condition. Thanks for sharing and wear it in good health.

Congratulations Joe!! It is absolutely beautiful. Wear it in good health and I am glad to hear it brings your father close to you again. That's what heirlooms are for. And by the way welcome to BS.

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"A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure."

Thanks for sharing story and pics of this iconic watch. The 799 and 801 Moonphase versions are real hen teeth and this Chronomat 801 is really an eyecatcher .
Enjoying it as a family watch is fantastic !

Let me ask a dumb question; what causes the dial & numbers to degrade so much in a sealed watch that sat in a drawer for 30 years? Especially the printed/painted numbers, lines, etc..
On the inner ring some numbers (e.g. 6, 7) are just about gone while other numbers look fine. The numbers on the outer ring look to have held up much better. Aren't they all made from the same type of paint?

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Breitling Navitimer: Black Dial
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional
Steinhart Nav.B-Chrono II
Elgin-Hamilton 37500 (Aircraft Clock)

Not "sealed", these watches were never particularly well sealed and certainly not after all this time. Degradation could occur for any reason and is usually based on some kind of contamination which then spreads - could be moisture, some kind of microbe, anything.

Thanks for all your comments. My apologies to Dracha for referring to him as Breitling Maniac when he requested a photo of the caseback - being new to this forum I didn't realise that the members names are above the posting and that a few appear to be Breitling maniacs or fanatics. I will learn. You may notice that the case has not been polished and it retains an almost satin "mill" finish on parts of the watch. It has been suggested that polishing is not a good idea for these vintage pieces so we will leave it alone. I realise it is probably strange to wear this watch, but I like the size and feel of it. The larger watches ( or wrist clocks as they sometimes appear ) just feel a little bulky by comparison.

This is just a wonderful piece. And a story to boot. That is what I am talking about. Joe, you got a winner and I would never part with it if it were me. To the next generation. Great to see this and wonderful of you to join and share.

Wayne

what to say, fantastic watch and so great to see a picture of one. I am sure many members would love to call it their own.

just wonderful

Graham

Naaahh.. who would want an ultra rare and unmolested watch with great provenance ?

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

you do NOT collect 1940s Chronomats, Rene; could you be so kind to remember this ?
tough enough to fight it out with you on the AVI