Description

Age: 1960s

Maker: Breitling

Case: Stainless steel screw back case.  Case is in original condition and has likely never been polished.  Case back displays some wrist wear.

SuperOcean reference 2005s are rare enough already.  What makes this piece a truly special is the inclusion of the yachting bezel.  At the time of the original purchase, the buyer had the option of having the factory upgrade the standard diving bezel to the multi-colored yachting timer bezel featured here.  To say that these pieces are one-of-a-kind is truly short of hyperbole.  The last public sale of one of these pieces was by James Dowling (of Rolex fame).  You can see this piece here.  Despite the heavily faded bezel, and since Dowling sold the piece, it has since changed hands in a private sale for nearly $10,000 USD.  There are many collectable vintage divers from this period, but few are as elusive as this variant.

Crown: Unsigned crown, likely a generic replacement.

Dial: Original, factory finished dial is a real beauty with aged lume.  Appropriately signed “SWISS MADE T” at 6 O’Clock.

Crystal: Acrylic crystal recently polished

Movement: Breitling heavily modified the base Venus 188 caliber in this reference.  The chronometer function on this watch is quite unique.  Rather than measuring seconds, the “slow time” chronometer and it’s snow flake hand measure out the time in minutes, taking a full hour to make a complete 360 degree rotation–just what you need when the SCUBA tank is strapped to your back.  Since it’s not immediately obvious if the chronometer function is activated, the display window on the dial lets you know by showing a full luminous dot when the function is active, a smaller luminous dot when the chronometer is paused, and a black dot when the chronometer is reset.

My master watchmaker has performed a full inspection and servicing on this watch. The watch was completely disassembled, the appropriate parts were cleaned in the ultrasonic and then oiled using the finest quality Swiss Moebius oils. The mainspring was replaced.  It was regulated and is keeping good time.  This watch is not waterproof.  Please take care to keep it dry.

Dimensions: Massive 48mm x 42.5 mm without crown.  22mm strap.

Band:  Pictured on a generic rubber diving strap.

Shipping: Domestic shipping via Fedex 2nd day air, fully insured. International orders, will ship via Fedex International.  Please select these options at checkout.

Payment: Due to the value, we will accept bank wire or cheque only.  Please contact us for further information.