One movement, two watches: Breilting Duograph Ref 766 / Certina EA Split Seconds Ref 5826.

Dec 22, 2022,16:32 PM
 

In the marvelous world of Split Seconds Chronographs, you basically have those who are powered by the Valjoux 55 movement ( see Minerva, for example ) and those who house a Venus 185, such as these two, the Breitling Duograph 766 and the Certina EA. 


The Breitling 766 was made circa 1944 / 1945, while the Certina was from the 50's. 

Both come with a steel case, the Certina being 37 mm big, 13, 9 mm high, while the Breitling approximatively has the same proportions. 

Seeing one in real is a miracle, but what to say when you can admire both of them? 

Here is the Breitling 766: 









The Certina EA 5826: 







Credit picture: Vintage Certina, showing the Venus 185 in all its beauty. 



I made some researches to try to know what E A stands for. The Vintage Certina Blog gave me a conclusive answer: " Elegant and Accurate ", as stated in the original box for this watch.

Aren't they marvelous? 

Best,

Nicolas

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Comments: view entire thread

 

What a pair of beauties.

 
 By: loujo : December 22nd, 2022-20:26
I had no idea the Certina split second existed. I remember years ago I handled a PAM147 with Venus 185. It was an amazing watch.

PAM 147

 
 By: chezlaskin : December 23rd, 2022-01:10
I still have one of those (35 in total) ...  

The movement

 
 By: chezlaskin : December 23rd, 2022-15:54
Not really. I have had it serviced, but it works well. Is this a movement that generally has problems? If so, I wasn't aware of that - but of course, it is quite complicated and not only an older design, but the movement itself is vintage.

It was a great idea, indeed.

 
 By: amanico : December 23rd, 2022-20:40

Split dreams here.

 
 By: bruckner4 : December 23rd, 2022-14:40

Definitely.

 
 By: amanico : December 23rd, 2022-16:17

From what I noticed on that same blog

 
 By: smironov : April 7th, 2023-07:29
"Certina EA is the trade name for a new imported watch line. Illinois Watch Case Co., manufacturer of Elgin American powder boxes, cigarette cases, lighters, costume jewelry and sideboards, has announced the introduction of the Certina EA watch line. As a... 

So this is a play on words as I understand

 
 By: smironov : April 7th, 2023-09:25
with EA standing for both "Elgin American" and "Elegant and Accurate"