Why This Watch Matters If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, is it a duck? This Lip chrono has all the signs of being made by Breitling besides, well, saying Breitling anywhere. The Full Story Lip is a French watch brand that dates back to 1867 in Besançon, the cradle of French watchmaking at the time. Throughout its history, Lip cultivated a reputation of being unafraid to challenge the status quo, often with vibrant funky designs contrary to a more Swiss traditionalist mentality. Here's an un-watch related but interesting none-the-less fact about Lip– in 1934 it was the first French company to introduce paid holidays. In the later half of the 1960s and into the 1970s, Lip was frankly struggling as a business. In the face of the quartz crisis, Lip partnered with Breitling to distribute the Swiss brand's chronographs to their network of French retailers. Today, we can find examples of the ref. 765 AVI, Navitimer, Cosmonaute, and Superocean branded as both Breitling and Lip right on the dial as a result of this partnership. The lesser known part of this duo's work is represented by the watch we have here today. Lip distributed Breitling made chronographs, most built on the Top Time platform, branded simply as Lip rather than dual-branded. Not so commonly seen in 18k yellow gold, this Lip has an overall great look to it. Although the Top Time is truly a sports chronograph, even chosen by 007 in 1965's Thunderball, in a solid gold execution the result is something that borders between dress and sport in a wonderful way. The caseback is marked with a Lip logo as well as hallmarks and information about the model. At the very bottom of the caseback is a light engraving reading "ouvir par le verre," a little bit of French flair that translates to "open through the glass." The caseback on this watch does not come off but rather the movement, dial, and crystal are all to be removed from the front, a quirky little feature there. We love the classically 1960s fonts and layout of this dial, there is really nothing like the simplicity and legibility of chronographs from this era. Paired with this watch is our dark brown Reid strap which adds a bit of texture to the look as well as a go-to tone that should match most anything and situation. The Fine Print Maker: LipModel: N/AReference: N/AYear: 1960sCase No: 32226Material: 18k yellow goldDimensions: 36mm diameter; 11.75mm thicknessCrystal: PlexiglassLume: Yes, tritiumCaliber: Valjoux, manually-wound, caliber 7730Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE The Reid Watch Strap In Dark BrownLug Width: 19mmBox/Papers: No What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - 18k yellow gold case- Lip only branded dial- Interesting caseback engravings Things To Know: - Crown shows wear - Caseback has some light indentations This Lip is in good, honest condition. The case is strong with scratches and light nicks. The facets on the lugs are clearly visible. The back of the lugs have some light scratches. The serial number is visible on the caseback as are the other engravings and hallmarks. The caseback and nine o'clock side of the case have a few light indentations. The caseback has some scratches throughout. There is a bit of patina on the case, notably between the pushers and on bezel. The dial has a light patina overall. The dial has a few little spots of wear and slight scratches throughout. Most the hour markers have some patina around them. The sub-dials have some wear. The hands and hour markers have developed some patina. The lume on the hands and dial have developed patina and aged to a light cream color. Some lume plots on the dial show normal signs of degradation. The crown has some wear and appears to be gold plated. The dial, case, and movement are signed by Lip. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
