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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph

Breitling Chronograph 1940s

Partially verified

This Breitling wristwatch, dating to the 1940s, is a Swiss-made mechanical chronograph measuring 36.5 mm in diameter, excluding the crown. The timepiece is characterized by a fluted bezel that rotates to function as a slide rule. The dial features a natural patina and displays chamfered baton hour markers, dagger-style hands, and two sub-dials for constant seconds and chronograph minute registration. It also includes a central chronograph sweep-seconds hand and multiple computational scales. It is presented on a brown leather strap with contrasting stitching. The auction description states that the watch remains in an original, untouched condition without restoration or replacement of parts. Technical evaluation of the springs, chronograph operation, and timekeeping accuracy is advised for prospective collectors.

Front view of the Breitling chronograph with rotating slide rule bezel.
Front view of the Breitling chronograph with rotating slide rule bezel. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Breitling
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1940s
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The watch case features a diameter of 36.5 mm, excluding the crown. It is designed with a fluted, rotating bezel that enables the use of a slide rule scale printed on the dial's periphery, intended for calculations. The case construction includes rectangular pushers on the side to operate the chronograph functions.

The dial exhibits a natural patina across its surface. It is furnished with chamfered baton markers and retains its original dagger-style hands. The layout consists of two sub-dials situated at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, serving as the chronograph minute counter and the constant seconds register, respectively. The central sweep-seconds hand records elapsed chronograph time.

Evidence for this section
  • “ساعت مجهز به قاب لبه‌دار با زه چرخان است که قابلیت خط‌کش محاسبه (slide rule) را به نمایش می‌گذارد”
  • “صفحه ساعت دارای نشانگرهای ساعت شیاردار/پخ‌خورده (chamfered batons) و عقربه‌های اصیل موسوم به طرح خنجری (dagger style) است”
  • “قطر قاب این ساعت بدون احتساب تاج ۳۶.۵ میلی‌متر اندازه‌گیری شده است”

Movement

The timepiece is driven by the Breitling-signed Venus 175 mechanical caliber, a movement commonly utilized in vintage chronographs of this era. It supports the standard chronograph suite, which includes a constant seconds sub-dial, a minute registration dial, and a central sweep-seconds hand for precise interval timing.

As an original piece, the movement has not undergone modern restoration according to the provided report. The seller emphasizes the importance of independent inspection of the internal components and the mechanical health of the springs and levers that control the chronograph start, stop, and reset functions.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور مکانیکی Breitling Venus 175 مجهز به ۱۷ سنگ تعبیه شده است”
  • “این کالیبر دارای ثانیه‌شمار فرعی و ثبت‌کننده دقیقه کرونوگراف همراه با عقربه ثانیه‌شمار مرکزی کرونوگراف (sweep chrono) است”
  • “سلامت عملکرد فنرها، وضعیت اهرم‌های راه‌اندازی و بازنشانی کرونوگراف و میزان دقت زمان‌سنجی کالیبر Venus 175 و همچنین عدم دست‌خوردگی قطعات داخلی را به‌صورت مستقل ارزیابی نمایند”

Provenance and Condition

The watch is presented as an original 1940s production from Breitling. The report specifies that the dial has not been repainted, restored, or repaired, retaining what is described as a distinctive, natural patina. This is consistent with the stated preservation of the watch's internal and external configuration.

The object is delivered on a brown leather strap featuring contrasting stitching and is housed in a wooden display box. The provenance and specific technical history beyond the 1940s era are not provided in the source. Collectors are encouraged to conduct a thorough technical evaluation to determine the current state of the unserviced movement and the authenticity of individual components.

Evidence for this section
  • “ساعت مچی یک کرونوگراف کلاسیک ساخت Breitling سوئیس متعلق به دهه ۱۹۴۰ میلادی است”
  • “صفحه ساعت دارای پتینای چشمگیر بوده و کاملاً اصیل، دست‌نخورده و بدون بازسازی یا ترمیم باقی مانده است”
  • “ساعت روی یک بند چرمی قهوه‌ای‌رنگ با دوخت‌های متضاد نصب شده و درون یک جعبه چوبی نمایش داده شده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement serial number range to confirm the manufacture date within the 1940s?
  • Are the hands composed of the original luminous material, and how does the current state of the lume affect the originality assessment?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breitling Chronograph 1940s
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBreitling“ساعت مچی یک کرونوگراف کلاسیک ساخت Breitling سوئیس”
Production date1940s“متعلق به دهه ۱۹۴۰ میلادی است”
Case diameter36.5 mm“قطر قاب این ساعت بدون احتساب تاج ۳۶.۵ میلی‌متر اندازه‌گیری شده است”
Jewel count17“مجهز به ۱۷ سنگ”
Dial conditionPatinated and original“صفحه ساعت دارای پتینای چشمگیر بوده و کاملاً اصیل، دست‌نخورده و بدون بازسازی یا ترمیم باقی مانده است”
BezelRotating slide rule“ساعت مجهز به قاب لبه‌دار با زه چرخان است که قابلیت خط‌کش محاسبه (slide rule) را به نمایش می‌گذارد”

Visible details

  • Fluted rotating bezel for slide rule functionality
  • Dagger-style hands on a dial with natural patina
  • Two-register dial layout
  • Brown leather strap with contrasting stitching

Research qualifications

  • Condition of the internal springs and chronograph levers
  • Accuracy and performance of the Venus 175 movement

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Breitling Chronograph 1940’s

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 85c7f7f35b

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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