The Canadian Air Force ordered watches from Breitling for their pilots towards the end of the 60’s. It is a model that was exclusively intended for military purposes, and was never available on the open market.
They used the principle of the single button Chronograph as with the other Chronos of the RCAF at this time (Omega, Rodania, Universal Geneve). It was decided to use the Valjoux 236 movement with ratchet. The white dial on the watch remained unsigned. Crown, inside caseback and movement however, were signed Breitling. The diameter of the watch without crown is approximately 36.5 mm. Presumably worn on a NATO strap.
So far I have been able to Identify 5 different series , with slightly different movement markings and serial number ranges
series 1:
1 073 828 (1966) – ? –
1 073 97? (1966) – 1358/67 – Canada
? (196?) – 1514/67 – Canada
1 074 069 (1966) – 1227/67 – Germany
1 074 332 (1966) – 60/67 – Canada
series 2
1 123 157 (1968) – 1805/67 – Germany
series 3
1 294 179 (1969) – 2209 –
1 294 942 (1969) – 2303 – Canada
1 XXX XXX (1969) – 2305 – USA
series 4
1 421 097 (1973) – 162 – Canada
1 421 398 (1974) – 317 – Austria*
series 5
1 446 125 (1977) – 1086 – Canada
1 446 331 (1977) – 978 – USA
1 446 427 (1977) – 691 – Germany
As I have stated before , it is my Hypothesis that Breitling ordered watch cases in batches of 1000 pieces. probably because of minimum order Qty and economy of scale for their suppliers . As such I believe there were 5000 of these watches made and delivered between 1966 (serial 1 073 828 ) and 1977 (serial 1 446 427)
series 1 pictures :
series 2 pictures
series 3 pictures
series 4 pictures
series 5 pictures :
interesting links:
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2011/8/11/in-depth-military-one-button-chronographs-with-unsigned-dial.html