The Breitling Watch Source Forums

A jeweler I know has a good friend that inherited a watch from his father and asked that he sell it for him. His father purchased in 1944. Saw it three years ago, but at that time to me it was just an old watch - nice but old. My appreciation of vintage and knowledge level has grown since then and after seeing this watch again a week ago I was much more impressed and pulled the trigger. But I need some help from those in the know in the membership.













So that is the watch what do you think? Now here are the issues?

1. The watch was serviced three years ago but there are some issues. The date hand moves every 12 hours instead of every 24 hours.
2. when the chrono starts (after the pusher is pushed) sometimes the chrono minute hand jumps to one, two or three minute mark. Sometimes it behaves as it should.
3. Have no idea how to set the date/moonphase. If I push the recessed button the side the moonphase seems to advance but I think the date hand moves as well sometimes. Have to investigate this more.
4. Watch keeps excellent time and has a good power reserve.
5. Hands may have been changed out and one of the hands has lost its lume over the years. Not sure if this model ever had those hands. Look more like a Breitling Premier hands

So now the questions.
1. Debating whether to give it a full service to fix issues or wait a couple of years and do it then. Any opinions on this?
2. Not sure what to do about the patina. It is gorgeous, but it think the dial may need cleaning. Do you think I should or just leave it.
3. What is the correct way to adjust the date and moonphase?
4. What about the hands? Anyone has knowledge about the ones that are on there? Could they be authentic?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

not too many watchmakers have experience with this very rare caliber, suggest to email Craig Bergsma (contact at chronodeco.com) or pm member chronodeco and ask him if he'd be ready to make an exceltion and take you on as a new customer.

same suggestion re dial cleaning, Craig is the only person I'd trust to do that.

hands are correct for a Datora lume dial.

will have to get my 799 from bank storage re yr. operation request, will take some days.

What's with the PL on the back (other than my initials)?

Phase lunar. Discussed before. Nice watch!!

Nice. Haven't seen that before. Like my initials better though if I ever find one.

Paul I think (if my memory serves correctly) that the PL was on an 801 but is a discussion from a couple of years ago.

we saw that in models that had two variations, with and without moonphase. valid for 799 and 801.
phase de lune.

Thanks for the comments and advice. WatchFred, I think if you look at your original post on this watch you will see the serial numbers of our watches are not that far off. Thanks for looking up the info on how to set this watch and look forward to your future reply. I have sent an email to Craig - will see what his comments are.

Yours


Mine