DESCRIPTION:
WW - Breitling Chono-Matic Chronograph, ref 2116, automatic, 38mm x 45mm to lug tips, 19mm lug width, original 18K yellow gold snap back case with round pump pushers, black leather strap, original champagne dial with applied gold baton indices, tachymeter scale along dial perimeter, date aperture at 6, two inset subregisters for minute recording and hour recording, 17J cal 11, s#1288932, triple signed. This is one of 100 originally produced for the launch of the Chonomatic in 1969,. As these started production at serial number 1288906, this is watch number 26 out of an estimated 100 produced, and this particular piece is the lowest serial number that could be found during a cursory internet investigation. Part of the historically significant partnership for project 99, Breitling along with Heuer, Hamilton/Buren and Dubois-Depraz set out to construct the world's first automatic chronograph, although who was truly "first" is up for endless debate among vintage collectors.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, chronograph functions and resets properly, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, no oxide; nearly flawless dial with two small dots on perimeter at 9; excellent-plus hands with light discoloration, sweep hand which was original orange has faded gold in color however when viewed under 10X magnification still shows small strip of orange; lightly polished case shows light wear, some of the original factory finishing is still visible, sharp lug chamfers, hallmarks are crisp and visible, light dings on the backs of the lugs from being worn on a bracelet; replacement crown shows little wear, pushers have worn through on their corners to base metal; good plastic crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$4000
-
$7000
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