The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Bought this one a few months ago non-working and missing some parts. Just got it back with the hands redone, new crystal, and a service inside. The serial number on the Breitling pocket chronographs use the normal chronograph serial number range. This one is 1953. These were made from around 1945 to 1970. The earlier having the federal stock numbers on the back, like this one, and the later without.

Paul

I had no idea you were into pocketwatches too Paul~! Looks nice... so essentially the movement of pocketwatches are fundamentally the same as wristwatches too right?

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

They use th Valjoux 5 which is an awesome movement. The only Breitling offering that cost more than the pocket chronograph ($360) in 1968 was the solid gold Navitimer.

Paul

Very nice Paul - love those pieces, just wish they were more appreciated in collector circles.

The Valjoux 5 is anabsolute rock of a movement - jlee5050 pocket watch movements often had similar designs to comparable wrist watches (though obviously with the crown at 12 on an open face the sub dial layout was different), but the physical movements were rarely the same because of the differences in size.

The first wristwatches were nothing more than smaller size pocket watches adapted to a strap. If it had not been for aviation, we would still be wearing trousers with watch pockets. Look at pictures of WWI pilots. Some were wearing wristwatches, but they were massive. It was almost impossible for a pilot to get his watch out of the pocket in his trousers while flying the airplane. I know all to well. I normally wear a pocket watch, but when I fly I wear a wristwatch (usually my Cosmo).

If you look at photos of early combat aircraft, they had a watch mounted somewhere in the cockpit. I recently restored an aircraft watch out of a WWI German airplane. It was kind of a neat relic, but not high quality. I guess they figured the plane would not get a lot of flight time before being shot down. Later aircraft clocks were of much higher quality.

Of course, when it became practical to wear a watch on your wrist the race was on! As they say, the rest is history.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

bid on one similar on ebay myself recently, looks great paul

I too find I am starting to appreciate pocketwatches more. That's stunning Paul!

Thanks for the explanation onewatchnut. Makes sense!

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

Pocket watches are far and away the best value in watch collecting.

Hugely under appreciated, especially non Swiss.

They do seem to be particularly good value.

I've checked out a couple of web sites and obviouly eBay is a great place to source potential acquisitions along with Antiquorum and the like, where else does one look and research?

I'm curious also as to whether there is a large market for pocket watches and a large supply, particularly for the more vintage kind?

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

There's a huge supply of American pieces, and not just the dollar watches.

eBay is as good as anywhere for those, for the British / European look at chrono24 and then the auction houses - Bonhams usually has some nice ones in their UK sales.