Vintage Breitling... redial or relume?

jbtb077 · Mar 27, 2023

Hey all!

I recently stumbled across this Vintage Breitling online. I'm curious what y'all think about the dial/hands and whether they're original. I can't find other examples of this piece anywhere, and the lume looks a bit suspect (perhaps an old relume?)

What do y'all think?

Thanks!

guaranteed.rohu · Mar 28, 2023

Hey hey,

Interesting find! To me that looks like a watch definitely from either early/mid 50s or 40s.

Looking on C24, it looks like most of the watches here are chronographs, but looking at this one for example the logo font looks identical to yours so that's always a good sign!

Other than that it seems like it's dfificult for me anyway to find any other examples upon initial search, the small seconds is quite high so I assume it's kinda an oversized piece?

https://www.chrono24.com/breitling/chronomat-ref769--id27430955.htm

If you really wanted to dig deep I'd ask for a photo of the movement of yours and hit up this seller for a photo of their movement also:

https://www.chrono24.com/breitling/...-original-dial-1940s-servised--id26277104.htm

I can't imagine breitling had many different calibres in the 40s for a time only small seconds movement, so if they're the same movement that's probably a good sign also.

The overall layout reminds me a bit of these vintage IWCs from the same era:
https://www.chrono24.com/iwc/iwc-ve...l-dial-cal-88-mini-portuguese--id27381875.htm

So if it is legit I wonder if there was some military order or spec around the time;

Good luck!

guaranteed.rohu · Mar 28, 2023

Actually scratch that the logo isn't quite identical to the image I linked... but it's pretty similar. Production at this time meant that I think logos, particularly cursive font ones (such as International Watch Co) changed sometimes year to year so I don't think that's necessarily a huge red flag

jbtb077 · Mar 28, 2023

guaranteed.rohu
Actually scratch that the logo isn't quite identical to the image I linked... but it's pretty similar. Production at this time meant that I think logos, particularly cursive font ones (such as International Watch Co) changed sometimes year to year so I don't think that's necessarily a huge red flag

Thanks! In particular, I was worried about the dial signature. It seems like it matches another Chronomat's:

Dan S · Mar 28, 2023

I'm much more familiar with their chronographs, but I don't see an obvious problem at first glance. Based on the position of the sub-dial, I think the movement is going to be pretty small. It would be interesting to see it, as well as photos of the watch from other angles, the back, the inside case-back, etc.

jbtb077 · Mar 28, 2023

Dan S
I'm much more familiar with their chronographs, but I don't see an obvious problem at first glance. Based on the position of the sub-dial, I think the movement is going to be pretty small. It would be interesting to see it, as well as photos of the watch from other angles, the back, the inside case-back, etc.

Here are additional pictures! Does this look like a proper Breitling movement & caseback?

redpcar · Mar 28, 2023

😒 uh oh

jbtb077 · Mar 28, 2023

redpcar
😒 uh oh

What's wrong?

redpcar · Mar 28, 2023

Red flag on the script on the inside of the case. I haven't seen much documentation on the dress watches. Have you already purchased it? If you are looking for an authentic Breitling, tap the brakes on this one. Refinished dial and the script on the inside case = danger.

buddman · Apr 7, 2023

I don’t think it’s right. Dial looks like a reprint, and Breitling watches post ww2 always (99.99% of the time) have a reference number and serial number on the caseback. The script engraving in your caseback is an obvious forgery IMO.

Nissestr · Apr 7, 2023

buddman
I don’t think it’s right. Dial looks like a reprint, and Breitling watches post ww2 always (99.99% of the time) have a reference number and serial number on the caseback. The script engraving in your caseback is an obvious forgery IMO.

There are ugly ducklings that are correct, and that note im not saying OPs is correct.

Breitling made simple ones aswell apart from their 'lines', one example is the ref 124 with fhf207 mvmt

Vintage Breitling... redial or relume?

jbtb077

guaranteed.rohu

guaranteed.rohu

jbtb077

Dan S

jbtb077

redpcar

jbtb077

redpcar

buddman

Nissestr

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