The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello everybody here!
Would like to introduce myself shortly here with my first post + not to good mobile wristshots.

About a year ago I fell suddenly completely in love with vintage - not only Breitling, I have to admit
I would like to add, that initially I was inspired for vintage Breitling (and vintage chronos in general) through the unbelievably helpful Sir WatchFred himself. As I live in Austria I had a chance to meet him personally, and that was, to my big surprise, the beginning of my enthusiasm. After that I was reading and learning from all the different web resources, fora, auction houses etc., but I realized only some weeks ago that this is simply the best place for vintage Breitling

I got a Navitimer 806 one year ago, but I passed this one, including the vintage bug, further to my stepson, because it really, really fitted a lot better to his young wrist than to my old one.



What shall I say, something was missing, and so finally, after having asked Fred, if it is correct just from a look at the pics, today the postman knocked at my door and delievered this Chronomat 808.
Right now I am very happy with the aesthetics & outside condition, and all chrono functions seem to be fine on first sight.





Here a link to my dropbox with much better fotos from the seller

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2u4686vdm56x0un/AAARJFhbR8MUYoVIX0hP-OMba?dl=0

But I knew already from the sellers remarks "between the lines" that there is an issue with a deviation, and after its running now for more than 12 hours (without chrono), I found out, that it is constantly ±2min per hour to fast.
So it will need a service, meaning I will not have it for some months probably, hmm, and again the longing will start.....


regards

Very good. You've made the best local friend you could have in Fred for advice and direction. Looking forward to good pictures - Fred is very good at that too!

congratulations, Franz - and thank you for your kind words !

you've picked up the rarest of the reverse panda Chronomat 808 w/ the large black center dial - the one combining the elegance of the Chronomat and "Navitimer look", I truly love those. Happen to have a sibling welcome shot for you

Franz Wellcome to Breitling source Vintage. Congratulations on a great watch. Wear it and love it!!

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

Congrats Franz.
This is my favorite iteration of the 808 and yours looks fantastic.
I suggest you consider Craig at Chronodeco for service, many here can vouch for him.
Welcome to the forum.

I second that. Craig is fantastic on restoration and service of vintage watches.

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

Thank you Fred - as well as to all others - for your friendly welcome!

I knew this sibling of yours already, because I am not only almost speechless in awe for your outstanding and breathtaking collection, but also for your skills in watch photography!
I think I have studied almost every single piece of it carefully. But enough of that holy incense

Franz

Thx for your nice welcoming me!

Mr. Bergsma is not a new name for me, and I will definitely try to find out, if and how I can send it to him.
I never sent a watch or anything else to the US, so I feel very unsecure with the procedures, insurance, postal stuff, costs ect.
Right now I am testing my 808 for being able to provide the right infos....

regards Franz

Hi Franz,
Very nice catch!
I am also trying to find a Chronomat
Congrats
Nicolas

As this one needs a service anyways, for me the question arises, if I should maybe at that occasion have the lume dots and hands relumed? What would you experienced collectors do?



thx for any opinions
Franz

NO !

Short and clear
thx!

Never !!

please keep it as is .. anything else destroys the beauty (and value) of the watch
to me its perfect as it is

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

thank you for your advice, got it and will remember always for similar dials in the future.

Rene, I`d like to add, that you have an incredibly informative site, please go on keeping it like that!


best regards Franz

thank you Franz ,
I'll try to keep it as long as possible and make regular updates as we find/learn more

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