The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi All,

Newbie here. I just bought a Breitling Datora Valjoux 7734 2018. It was advertised as NOS (new old stock), reputable retailer and is in top condition (maybe to good). When i take the back off the movement looks like it's a Val 7734, is marked as so BUT there is not Breitling stamp anywhere on the movement.

Is this too good to be true? Did Breitling always stamp their logo on the movement?

Thanks in advance!

LDN

Images too big so a link here: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AkAxbLuL2vkTlxkphy-g-aVO-FyE

Bridge should be marked.

Looks correct apart the standard chronograph bridge . At this period, Valjoux 7733 -7734 and 7736 used by Breitling always had an engraved bridge.
Functionally it does not change anything, but this one has probably been assembled furtherly with NOS parts and a generic Valjoux 7734.
A bit stupid from the seller because it would be quite easy to replace the chronograph bridge by a proper one .

Thanks for the response! So it’s not original on the true sense - bit of a Frankenstein but with original parts (almost). I guess the main thing for me is that I like the style, the mechanism is the same (unless someone makes fake 7734’s) and it’s in top condition. I’m not a pureist so I guess I can live with that.

Thanks again!

You might preserve its value by being on the lookout for a signed bridge, and then swap it if you ever service it.

Look at the SIP Code from the 7734, he stands on the baseboard (Basisplatine). Breitling=TJ, Gigandet=Y3, BWC=ST, Fortis=UU, and so one. The picture is too blurred to read the SIP code.

Thanks, good idea! Will do.

Thanks Herbert50! I've just looked and the code on the baseboard is KM. I can't find which brand this movement was made for but it wasn't Breitling. Unless they have started making copies/fakes of the 7734 in far east, I guess I have an original Valjoux movement (non-Breitling) in a case that's in great condition. Little provenance for the purists but looks great. FYI I paid €1k.

Thanks again!

at that price it’s a great buy.

no doubt it isn’t strictly “correct” - it may have been assembled from dead stock components after Breitling closed down, OR be one of the “dark days” pieces of the very last years when Willy Breitling had no funds left to place factory orders and had to use standard overstock components from traders to assemble his last watches. no way to tell.

Thanks WatchFred. Great info and I feel better about the buy now.

Yes good idea. I’ll hunt one down. Thanks for the response