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  1. omegastar Apr 30, 2016

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    Dear respectable member,
    I have recently bought this Breitling Chronomat 769, or what is left of it.
    I am in need of a complete set of hands.
    Eventually a nicer dial.
    An original crown.
    About the crown, I have a problem. The bezel is wider than the case. I have looked at many examples on google and I can't really figure out if it is acceptable to have a gap between the case and the crown, or if it is what people do when not having an original crown. How was it at first ?
    I have the original stem and it is longer than the case tube, which would lead to the gap.
    On the other hand, I have difficulty imagining Breitling delivering watches with a gap instead of making a special crown.
    If you have answers or leads toparts I would be grateful.
    Mounir

    image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg
     
  2. DON Apr 30, 2016

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    Lot of images show something similar. I would suggest looking for a vintage crown with a tapered inside edge to fit below the bezel

    Something like an IWC crown

    [​IMG]

    DON
     
  3. STANDY schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector Apr 30, 2016

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  4. omegastar Apr 30, 2016

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    Yes, I have tried, but it still blocks the bezel if the crown touches the case.
    I would like to know how it was in the first place.
    Thank you Don for the input.
     
  5. omegastar Apr 30, 2016

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  6. omegastar May 2, 2016

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    Anyone ?
     
  7. Dgercp May 2, 2016

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    Here is mine if this helps.
    You might find the folks on the Breitling forum could help locate parts.
     
    image.jpeg
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  8. al128 unsolicited co-moderation giverer May 2, 2016

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    love that dial!
     
  9. omegastar May 2, 2016

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    Do you if the crown is original ?
    Could you, please post a picture with the back up ?
    Thank you.
    Mounir
     
  10. Dgercp May 2, 2016

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    The crown is original. When I get home I will take ssome pics for you
     
  11. omegastar May 2, 2016

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    That woul be perfect !
    Thank you @Dgercp
     
  12. Dgercp May 2, 2016

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    Here you go
     
    image.jpeg image.jpeg
  13. omegastar May 3, 2016

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    It looks like we don't have the same bezel. Mine is 3 mm. wider than the case. Am I wrong ?
     
  14. Waynepjr May 3, 2016

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    Hands are going to be an issue. Might be easier finding a donor watch. Also hands changed over the years so you will need to find a correct original that is close to your serial number and use it as your reference for hand style. Crown will be an issues as well, you just find one that is close and use it. Those onion crowns above are incorrect! Your is closer to original style.
    Finding a better dial, again, will not be easy. They do come up but rarely and will be an auction fight to win. Last good one went for $400+.
    You will need patience to make this one complete again.
     
  15. Waynepjr May 3, 2016

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    Per serial number, yours dates to 1945
     
  16. omegastar May 3, 2016

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    Thank you for this precious information. I got it for a very good price and the case is in very good condition. So I will be patient.
    I think black hands with lume will do just fine. I am not in a hurry since I can use that dial for some time. A pair of hands + chrono hand just sold not so long ago on Ebay for 98 euro, wish it was now.
    1945 is what I had figured out.
    About the crown, I have already tried twenty or more crown and it is really an issue for the tube is very long, the stem extra large and moreover the bezel.
    Thank you.
    Mounir
     
  17. Waynepjr May 3, 2016

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    Give me some time, my watchmaker will know correct length of stem and correct crown size. He is on vacation till 5/28 but will ask upon return. Will update you!
     
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  18. Waynepjr May 3, 2016

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    Pic from 1942 catalog and known good example from 1945.
    image.jpeg image.jpeg
     
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  19. omegastar May 3, 2016

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    I give you all the time of the universe.
    Thank you for your support.
    Nice watch by the way
     
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