109th Auction

2023/11/18

Lot 371

Breitling
Chronomat

A rare and charismatic vintage wrist chronograph with telemeter scale

Sold

estimated
3.5005.000 €
Price realized
3.800 €
specific features
Case
Steel, push back, bidirectional rotating bezel with slide rule function, Breitling buckle.
Dial
Silvered and black, "Patent 217012".
Movement
Manual.
Case no.614389
Ref.769
Diam.37 mm
Circa1945
Ctry.Switzerland
Wt.150 g


The patent number 217012 on the dial refers to the slide rule patented in 1942. It was used as a tachometer and pulsometer and enabled elementary operations such as multiplication and division to be calculated. The Chronomat is considered the forerunner of the Navitimer, but it is not a pilot's chronograph. Rather, the earlier model was marketed as the ideal timepiece for engineers, doctors, athletes, aviators and technicians.
This Chronomat is in excellent condition, the dial shows charming signs of ageing in the form of small speckles. The luminous material of the numbers are slightly darkened.