Description
CASE & BACK: This watchmeasures a large 43 x 47.7 mm not including crown and is 14mm to the top of the flush fit crystal. The heavy all-steel case does not appear to have ever been polished and still shows its original bevels and contrast satin-polished finish and sharp lugs. There are very few superficial scratches and some nicks commensurate with a very lightly worn 60-year-old tool watch — Fantastic vintage condition overall. The outer part of the snap steel back has some very light and superficial scratches but shows its original Breitling nomenclature of the period including the 839xxx serial number on the inside, which indicates a 1954 production, and correct without reference–also Excellent original cosmetic condition. The inner caseback shows no corrosion and has the correct internal Breitling engraving of the era.
BEZEL: The Stainless steel rotating rice bead bezel with 125 beads is correct and original and in Very Good condition . The bezel itself rotates with good tension in both directions as designed.
DIAL & HANDS: Absolutely Near Mint matte black dial with white printing and finely calibrated track and only the minor imperfections visible under a loupe . All original ‘light’ colored Tritium luminous numbers in fantastic condition. The Hands are as Near Mint and as always with these slightly corroded due to the radium as are the small white counter hands are Excellent with just a trace of spotting to its original luminous fill.
CROWN & PUSHERS: Signed Breitling crown looks very clean and winds and pulls out to the time-setting position as it should. It sits tightly against the case. The two pusher caps are likewise in Excellent shape and both chrono pushers work as they should and also nice and crisply.
CRYSTAL: Large flush-fit acrylic crystal is Excellent+ without scratches and no deep marks and sits barely proud of the bezel, which I believe to be correct for this model.
MOVEMENT: Legendary Valjoux 72 chronograph movement is looking bright and working well with all correct Breitling nomenclature of the era and shock protection. WHat has been serviced in 2012 and it is keeping good time with a strong power reserve and all chronograph functions are working properly and returning to zero. This is guaranteed to be the case at the time of shipment.
When I once asked Breitling how many Navitimers were produced with the V72 movement I was very surprised. Expecting no reply at all the next day I received a reply from Breitling Switzerland saying ‘1200 pieces’ . The popular quote is still
“Nobody knows for certain how many Navitimers were produced with the Valjoux 72 movement , but it’s beyond any doubt that it was a very limited number, thus the Valjoux 72 Navitimer has become a kind of cult watch for Navitimer collectors all over the world.”
but Breitling says 1200 pieces
Dear Mr. “Breitling Collector”
Thank you for your email.
We produced 1200 pieces between 1954 and 1955
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions concerning your many vintage watches.
Kind regards from Switzerland,
Ilona Lachat
TEAM LEADER CUSTOMER SERVICE
BREITLING SA
P.O. Box 1132
Schlachthausstrasse 2
2540 GRENCHEN
Switzerland
Phone : +41 32 654 54 54
Fax : +41 32 654 54 02
E-mail customer.service@breitling.com
Check our website at www.breitling.com
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