Horological Meandering

We don't often speak about Breitling watches, here, so let's try to repair this injustice. Here are is duetto: A Chonomonopusher from the Royal Canadian Air Force, and a Superocean: And here, some pictures of my targets: Unitime: And the top in my wish li...  

... it seems we speak little about these interesting brand, so intimate connected with airplanes galore. These timepieces you are showing are magnificent, and with all that vintage flavour we so much enjoy to have on our wrists. Here in my Country, this B...  

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I remember this time very well, when in the 90ies, everybody wanted a Chronomat, or a Navitimer. I wanted to play a bit different game with Breitling, but for sure, these 2 watches you show are popular, and I would not be surprised to see much more poppin... 

... and you are so right for your recollection about how well regarded were Chronomats and Navitimers in the 90´s. I have been viewing with much interest your photos again, and find specially charming the RCAF chrono, with its awesome white dial and ... 

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...a recent model. I think the current one available is the same. Got mine about ten years ago. ETA movement. I know some here frown upon a non-manufacture movement, but I bought it because I like it, which is how I chose all my watches. Even after owning...  

In fact, it's the retro-look that made me buy it. I'm a sucker for all things vintage so buying a new watch was a bit out of my comfort zone at first. But this one fits in well with my taste. Emil

... and agree that the "retro" look of its dial makes it so attractive, with the red circular scale, which reminds old chronos of the 40`s and 50´s. Super Breitling! Thanks for sharing!! Kind regards, Abel.

from current collection...thank you for sharing In 90's I was crazy about it..still wanna one for sentimental reasons Best D

...It's my favorite current Breitling model. I also wouldn't mind having a vintage Navitimer like Abel's, but at this point there are other watches on my relatively short must-have list ahead of it. Emil

Regards, Marcus...  

...I love the dial and bezel color. Emil

the gleaming lacquer dial was the reason why I bought the piece. I have to admit, though, that its size (46mm) is bothering me after a while, so it does not get the wrist time it deserves. In 42mm it would have been perfect, but the new SO Heritage varian... 

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... design of the original model. Both, hands and markers, are highly unique. Regards, Marcus

Which is faithful to the original. They could have done better with the Superocean, but this is a cool watch. Best, Nicolas

i was lucky enough to own a 1930's Pilots watch, a 1969 Navitoner Chrono-Matic, a 1966 Cosmonaute, a 1999 Spatiographe and 2 military quartz navitimers, 1 Algerian the other Iraqi. here are some very poor pics of all but the Iraqi Navi. i think my favouri...  

Wow, Graham, c'est peut etre la vie, but what a pain! This pilot watch is certainly something! Thanks for contributing, my dear friend. Nicolas

it is a particularly nice piece isnt it Nicolas, when the Antiques roadshow came to my local town when i was in wales i took a number of pilots watches along and was actually filmed for the programme, but was cut out before going to TV. the watch expert i...  

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You are my hero Graham. I one day dream that I should be on the antiques roadshow. Did you see the Laco on last weekend?

yep, never fail to miss it. Richard Price selected about 10 of my military pilots watches to talk about, but as i knew so much about them i wasnt really a suitable member of public surprised by value of old picture so they cut me...  

I have a new obsession now - American Pickers and Pawn Stars!

Breitling was my first vintage watch love many years ago and while I have strayed my passion for them has never diminished. I was always struck by the variety of styles they produced, the wonderful heritage and the original and wearable chronographs. It w...  

... why Nicolas recommended me to take my pills while waiting what you had for showing!! Now I feel the dose I took was not enough! It´s so difficult to chose just one, as the one I like best! Beautiful spiral scales dials, beautiful military watches... 

Over the years Breitling has covered many different styles. I don't think I could pick one myself.

The Chronomat is a treasure, and to say all, when I saw yours, I changed my mind about this watch... BUT, there is one which is missing to the call... My favourite! Best and thanks for the share, Eitan. Nicolas

Unless I am mistaken. Sadly I don't have them to hand to take new pictures, so had to use what I already have. It was fun posting them.

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thats a superb selection of Breitlings Eitan. you should become our Breitling expert. best G

I can't say I'm an expert on them, but certainly I have spent some time searching for them.

But like Nicolas, I miss some... A white lady that took my breath away! Best, my friend Blomman

Still have to keep a few for our little meets

The beads of rice 806 with the original bezel takes the cake. For me THE Breitling to own - love it! I make no secret of my love too. The thing that probably turns most people off - the complexity of the dials, actually draws me to Breitling. Great topic ...  

did it come with the watch Ubik or did you track it down seperately?

but it is actually later in production to this watch. I believe around the end of the Sixties. It does sit on the watch so well. I bought it seperately at least 8 years ago, they do pop up from time to time but the prices have gone through the roof.

It does look great, I like the snug fit to the case. I think mesh bracelets are amazing, I hadnt had one until I put my JB Champion one on my Cosmo and they its so comfortable.

the Cosmo you have is stunning. Always wanted the all black version of that, but it's soooo rare. I agree the all black first gen Navitimer is very special, I could fall into that dial and never return.

I agree, the old all black dials are stunning. One day...... )

Many thanks for showing us those wonderful pieces Ubik! That 765 AVI which I did not know is imho the star of the show. Best Ztirual

Yes the AVI is very beautiful, also it's later iteration the co-pilot.

Can't count how many skipped heart beat. I avoided this thread so far. WHY ON EARTH haven't continue to do so ... You and Nico are dangerous folks to hang around especially with a loan shark around. Regards Tyler

I never had to push anything on to anyone.

Just fantastic Ubik. Thanks for walking us through your collection. And thanks to Nicolas for starting this.

One day I will take some better pictures and do some group shots.

and you know I am partial to the ones that are missing from mine.

If only it was not so highly priced... Best, my friend. Nicolas.

Unless I catch him first

No Breitling in my watch box... Yet..? Do you mind if I join with some old ads? 1950 1950 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1960 1965 Best Blomman...  

Especially the Unitime, the Superocean Chrono, the Chronomat. Impressive gathering of ads, my friend. I knew I could count on you! Thank you so much. Best, Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-03-05 13:31:42

I would love to have a Breitling theme in my box...! Best, my friend Blomman

I am pretty sure you will go fast! Best, Nicolas

You know my routine. First find the documents... Second - study documents... Third, try to grab what ever you guys left behind! Best, my friend Blomman

You start your hunt! Best, Nicolas

You still have plenty of time! Best Blomman

It may not have a 'heartbeat', yet I think it has its appeal after all....  

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It's the least I can do, considering that I'm just a lurker most of the time (shame, shame). Glad you enjoy the picture.

Had a little old Premier which is no longer with me. Sorry i was going to post the pic but hit the post before inserting the pic and realized I just cannot find it; will keep looking. I like the dial but could not live with the chrono module. Ubik has how... 

Not a great pic of the Navitimer Premier re-edition, but just to close the loop. I did not see Nicolas' warning to take a pill before looking at Ubik's post but now that I've recovered, I think the 817 and 765 are on the hunt list....  

cheers PAt...  

Hi all, I must admit that I do not cherish this brand for well known reasons... but I make some exceptions with "very" vintage: 1) I like very much the Superocean models shown by Nicolas 2) I could not withstand an early Chronomat in pink gold, all origin...  

Breitling is not my favourite brand, by far, but some of their models are among my favourite watches. A Chronomat is slowly growing on me... Best, Erich, and thank you for participating! Nicolas

a Breitling by any other name. it might have 'Wakmann' and 'France' on the dial, but the Venus 188 calibre also has 'WOG', the Breitling mark on it. we know that Breitling used their partnership with Wakmann to get around the US embargo in the 60's, but t...  

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