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El Monte Special...an Actual Original Vintage Breitling

  1. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Aug 31, 2017

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    We are all very aware about the bogus watches coming out of El Monte, CA, so when I saw an interesting vintage Breitling pop up on the Bay from a seller in the city, negative thoughts filled me head. It was at a pawn shop, I know, my best friends, so I decided to try and track down which one.

    Using the Google machine I called the first one that popped up, and low and behold, it was the seller! We struck a deal, and the watch arrived today.

    Trying to research non-chrono vintage Breitling is a real pain in the butt...there is no info out there, but I was able to find a few examples with the same hands and similar case.

    It has a really cool dial...I am not sure if was originally copper and got darker with age or if it aged to tropical...I am on the fence on this one. My gut tell me it has a Felsa movement, as I have not popped the case back off.

    Any info would be greatly appreciated.

    Instagram Video
    20170831_124509.jpg 20170831_111904.jpg 20170831_123150.jpg 20170831_124545.jpg 20170831_124625.jpg f
     
    Edited Aug 31, 2017
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  2. Vitezi Aug 31, 2017

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    I'd think it was copper to begin with. It surely wasn't a darker color, because the logo and minute markers are printed black. It might have been lighter and darkened with age, but the overall effect is very even. Love those hands!
     
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  3. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Aug 31, 2017

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    Those were my thoughts as well, glad you concur. The hour hand a crazy deep, vibrant purple in the right light.
     
  4. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Aug 31, 2017

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    Always the most interesting watches @watchknut
     
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  5. Jwit Not a doctor, but plays one on ΩF Aug 31, 2017

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    That's an awesome find. Love the lugs and hands. I agree that is was copper and got much darker. I guessing the crown isn't original, it looks awkwardly large.

    Looking forward to seeing what's inside
     
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  6. ahsposo Most fun screen name at ΩF Aug 31, 2017

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    Any numbers on the back? Like this:

    Model 1188_030517 5626.jpg
     
  7. ahsposo Most fun screen name at ΩF Aug 31, 2017

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    Edited Aug 31, 2017
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  8. ahsposo Most fun screen name at ΩF Aug 31, 2017

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  9. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Aug 31, 2017

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    Thanks guys! Here are some pics of movt and caseback. Also, used the calipers and it is 35mm...oh well. Weird thing is that there is an acrylic dust cover.
    20170831_201546.jpg 20170831_201452.jpg 20170831_201510.jpg 20170831_201602.jpg 20170831_201420.jpg 20170831_201404.jpg
     
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  10. BenBagbag Aug 31, 2017

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    That looks like it'd be awfully hard to read!
     
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  11. ConElPueblo Sep 1, 2017

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    It was probably silver coloured originally, like this Doxa that I owned a while back:

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Sep 1, 2017

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    Whoa! Now that is crazy! Thanks for sharing.
     
  13. Shailor Sep 1, 2017

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    Glad to see something's aged worse than me
     
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  14. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Sep 1, 2017

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    It's the "reverse Michael Jackson" phenomenon
     
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  15. Traveler Sep 1, 2017

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    Not sure if Fake News but I read somewhere extensive exposure to heavy tobacco smoke can cause this... don't know how it would get in there though...
     
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  16. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Sep 1, 2017

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    I've heard that too...pretty sure archives would say this was owned by the Marlboro Man...and his son...
     
  17. Jwit Not a doctor, but plays one on ΩF Sep 1, 2017

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    Black dial + 1 pack of market cigarettes a day + 40 years of daily wear =
     
    IMG_4067.JPG
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  18. ConElPueblo Sep 1, 2017

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    FWIW, I've seen a number of this type of watch (roughly same age, size and "type") patinate in the same manner. Only really noticed it after buying the one pictured above, but they are out there. I would hazard a guess that they are probably made by the same manufacturer and that the decolouration is due to faulty lacquer. I, ahem, might have been one of those spreading the tobacco theory, but I am slowly moving away from it... ::shy::
     
  19. ahsposo Most fun screen name at ΩF Sep 1, 2017

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    Yeah? Well look what it's done to your avatar's hair...
     
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