The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Some of you may recall that I bought a 777 from a new forum member a few weeks ago. The watch had been sitting in a drawer for around 40 years and looked like this:







Believe it or not I haven't seen the watch yet. The seller was in the UK and I had him send the watch directly to chronodeco (Craig) in the US.

Today I got the photos of the finished watch from Craig - and this man is incredible. The watch wasn't in the worst of conditions, but he has made it look like new - just compare the caseback before and after. I can't wait to find another restoration project for Craig - my new restorer without a shadow of a doubt.

Wow thats gorgeous wish I had that

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Very well done! Looks absolutely splendid!!!

I always see the discussion about $ to rehab vs. buying the best you can find...how did doing this work out for you? Because it seems that for some of the prices of these vintage watches vs. the work that needs to be done, that the recommendation is often to to buy one already rebuilt/refinished. Was the cost to refinish reasonable?

that looks SUPER...

Always makes me happy when a vintage Breitling is given a second chance...

So Mr. Roffensian what number is this for you?

And don't say too many...

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Amazing work!

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Craig's pricing is extremely reasonable which helps, and I didn't overpay for the watch, which also helps.

If I were to sell this watch then I would make money, and if I waited for the economy to pick up and had some good pictures then I could double my money on a good day. That wouldn't always happen, and this is gold which helps, but you can generally do better with a project - though there is risk that expensive problems exist - you can't tell what's wrong with a movement just by looking. This movement needed very little work - basically just a new mainspring.

Generally you don't get your money back on servicing if the piece is already cosmetically fine, but the aesthetics makes a difference.




Not enough

Come on, you knew I wasn't going to answer that question.

I am always amazed by the before and after pics of Craig's work.

Nice piece Roff, and superb work by Craig!

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Breitling Colt GMT
Breitling Navitimer World
IWC Portuguese Automatic
Breitling Transocean Chronograph LE

In the original pictures the badly scratched crystal prevented me from getting a good view of the dial. Did he send it out to get it refinished? That usually drives the cost up, sometimes considerably. Anyway, absolutely stunning work!

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

No, dial was in good condition, no need to refinish. I suspect that it just needed a little TLC and rodico.

Absolutely superb work by Craig. Almost makes me want to get into the vintage stuff. Almost.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Outstanding Roff, what a fine looking piece. Obviously very good work done by Craig!

The numbers look very similar to the ones on my 1903. They seem to have kept similar styling throughout the ages.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

I knew that was going to look good when done. Nice job Craig and good catch Roff!

Paul

a fantastic and very rare model, I had never seen before

regards

Michael M.

Crazy work on a crazy watch.

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Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

Very NICE .
Mike.