The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Yes, but that one (pictured above as 1st in the list) sold by Bill S. was without geneve on the dial and with a rare chrono hand, that fetched $7700 was truly a 'first edition' (again, IMO)

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

Agreed, but we have little to go on when it comes to pricing these things, especially when it comes to insurance valuations that have to consider future replacement cost.

I know my father-in-law had it serviced in the last three years and can certainly get a firm date from him.

_________________
Milgauss 116400GV
Navitimer AB012312
Speedmaster 3570.50
Frederique Constant 306G4S6

WTB/TF:
JLC 1548420

then all's fine.

Great investigation Dracha. The 765 is a great watch.

Over the years I've also tracked this watch and I've noticed something I think is even more odd. To my mind there appears to be two seperate issues of the minute counter version, one around 1953 and then one around 1960.

Here is one sold on atiquorum that has a 1960 serial number.

http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalog.h ... tionid=223

here's another one that sold on a Japanese site.

In the second watch you can see that the shock absorber is not the same one as the 1953 version, which means it is a later movement (we saw this with the Navi's that were wrongly numbered but had this later shock abosrbing system)

So to me this version of the watch was produced in 1960.

Also there's a catalogue in the Brietling Book on p156 that shows a German catalogue they date form 1960 which shows both versions, the digital and the analogue in the same sales brochure (mind you it also shows a white dial and black dial Navi??. Still, add to this the serial numbers and perhaps Breitling produced the watch again for a special contract?

What's also very interesting about your data sheet is that it would appear that both versions of the watch were produced in tandem - once in 1953 and once in 1960/1. It's a while since I looked at this, but I don't think I found any examples between those dates - so a 1957 AVI for example. It would be interesting to see if we can dig one up?

One other detail you don't mention is that the earlier AVI have a bezel which has little spring pins in it which locks the bezel in different positions as you rotate it - while the later white dial CP does not. I wonder if there was ever a white dial CP version in the AVI case, a transitional like we see with the Navi's.

Personally I see this watch as not a stand alone variation, but part of the history of the 765 designation which goes back to the 1940's.

BTW - can you explain the differences in version 3/4/5?

Thanks for sharing - Ubik (formerly Yaffle)

I have changed my forum name to match the one I use to post on other forums.

Thanks Yaffle / Ubik ! (And welcome back .

Pfew, lots to digest , let me mull this over in my mind for awhile and i'll let you know my thougts
The differences between 3,4 and 5 are the different hand sets used

Rgds
Rene

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

What was the original band on the 1953 AVI 765? Mine currently has an alligator lizard band (with no Breitling markings at all) and the band is separating and starting to come apart. Some quick searching did not turn up any alligator lizard bands (I get alligator or Teju lizard (close to alligator lizard in appearance) but no alligator lizard). I'm just wondering if it is possible to get a band like the original and if so if it is worth it? Thanks.

_________________
Milgauss 116400GV
Navitimer AB012312
Speedmaster 3570.50
Frederique Constant 306G4S6

WTB/TF:
JLC 1548420

Lizard would indeed be your best bet
Bill shaine sells an acceptable one on ebay , he also sells without the buckle

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-VINTAGE-BRE ... 1369180387

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

Dracha,

Is it relatively easy to get the case back off? Does it require a special tool? I wouldn't want to hurt the watch, but would like to see the workings and take some photos for your research.

_________________
Milgauss 116400GV
Navitimer AB012312
Speedmaster 3570.50
Frederique Constant 306G4S6

WTB/TF:
JLC 1548420

765s have screwdown casebacks. Watchmakers use something called a Jaxa tool to open them but if you have a rubber ball then you can press that against the caseback and turn it (anti-clockwise) to open the back. However, it might be better to take it to a watchmaker who will have a dust free environment that they can use to make sure nothing nasty gets in.

updated the initial post with what I believe is correct info

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

edited picture sizes to improve readability

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

Renè - thank you for all the time & brains you've invested here; excellent research !

Great work Rene and a really meaningful contribution to the collective knowledge.

you're welcome guys
with all the fantasy 765 AVI's offered on Ebay the last few days / weeks / months etc I thought this was a good time to share my thoughts and work with the wider collector community

_________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard