The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I will most likely catch a lot of heat on this forum for committing the biggest Breitling sacrilege ever, but I wanted to post a pic of MY one of a kind Breitling that I'm very proud of. It is my Holy Grail that took me five years to acquire parts for and complete. I started off with a Chonomat Evolution A13356 black dial that I purchased back in 2008. I left it alone for a couple of years then in early 2011 I had Jack Alexyon, from IWW, brush it to give it a matte finish. In 2013 I obtained some Cardinal rider tabs from a Blackbird and replaced the originals myself so that the bezel could be used for land navigation. In 2014 I obtained a dial from a Crosswind Racing that I liked much better than the Evo dial and requested Alexyon's services once again to perform the swap. Now at this point, some of you are probably asking, "Why not just wear a Crosswind Racing?" Although I prefer the CWR's dial, I wanted the water resistance of the Evo case. Then earlier this year I acquired an 888A bracelet that I had been so desparatley hunting for because I wanted the diver extension. With the help of my father, I did some slight, but professional machining to make the bracelet fit perfectly. Lastly, a couple of months ago I came across an unopened 7754 movement that was contracted for Breitling and a GMT hand from a Navitimer World. I enlisted the help of a private master watchmaker in my area and had the movements changed and added the extra hand. I know, I know...the end result cost me a pretty penny and is absolutely worthless in terms of resale value. But she is the ultimate adventurer's watch with every specification I wanted. I have a custom vintage motorcycle, custom muscle car, custom Japanese body suit (in progress), so why not have my watch customized too???

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Richard

Chronomat Evolution SS Black Dial with UTC Module
Marathon C-SAR
Marathon G-SAR
Seiko SKX007

It's definitely interesting and as you say pretty much worthless in terms of resale. But it is your watch so really you can do whatever you like with it! I certainly understand the desire to create the "perfect" Breitling: every one that i have ever owned had some little niggle that annoyed me, some way it wasn't quite what i wanted.

I owned a CWR and always wished it had the Evo's case so I'm with you there. But like you i prefer the CWR dial: the font of the Evo's numerals never sat right with me. The idea of a GMT hand is cool. The bracelet doesn't work for me at all. I think it's a really interesting project.

Hey..it's not bad at all!

Good initiative actually..but I'm sure it costed you a lot of time and money.

But I'm sure you are loving every moment wearing it now...Enjoy!

pEaCe

Well done and it still has value as 100% Breitling parts. If you have kept all the original parts it can be reversed

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Rolex Daytona Panda Dial 116509 40mm
Breitling Chronomat GMT Limited AB0412 47mm
Tag Heuer Link Chrono Auto CJF2110 42mm

Very interesting. Well done.

Yes, all of the new parts are 100% Breitling and the old parts were saved and carefully stored.

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Richard

Chronomat Evolution SS Black Dial with UTC Module
Marathon C-SAR
Marathon G-SAR
Seiko SKX007

Nice to see you sticked with original parts as usually in this kind mods owners cheap out and use whatever parts available.

I own Ti models as I prefer the satin appearance and if I ever get polished SS, I would need to get it brushed as well.

Oh heck yes, I would have bought that offering. Nice work and I hope you have many years of enjoyment with it.
Be safe, Frank.

Mods of expensive watches aren't usually my thing, primarily because they are often very poorly done and end up effectively ruining a perfectly good watch.

HOWEVER, in your case, you've actually created a very VERY handsome piece that I'm sure Breitling themselves would be proud to have made. Plus it's great that you've used genuine Breitling parts. Of course, as you say, resale value now through the floor, but when you've created your perfect watch, then frankly who cares!

The only thing I'm not convinced about is the Pro bracelet as the Chronomat bracelet is MUCH nicer IMO, but that's just my opinion (which counts for absolutely zero as it's your grail, not mine! )

I say well done, and I hope it gives you many years of enjoyment.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

That looks very cool!! If it just had a brushed blackbird bracelet that would make it perfect for me!! Very well done!!

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Only thing...bracelets don't get better than the pilot bracelet

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Rolex Daytona Panda Dial 116509 40mm
Breitling Chronomat GMT Limited AB0412 47mm
Tag Heuer Link Chrono Auto CJF2110 42mm

I actually wore this watch with a 22mm pilot bracelet that was faceted like the Bkackbird's but had an 18mm clasp. If I can find a way to fit the diver extension to that bracelet, I would definitely consider that as another option to have when I'm looking for a little variety. Thanks to everyone for all the positive feedback!

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Richard

Chronomat Evolution SS Black Dial with UTC Module
Marathon C-SAR
Marathon G-SAR
Seiko SKX007