Why This Watch Matters This Premier from the 1940s is a great example of why Breitling is among the best chronograph makers of all. The Full Story Two years ago, Breitling revived the Premier, a collection of chronographs originally released in the 1940s. Breitling has a rich archive, and it has emphasized its historic connection to chronographs meant for aviation for decades. However, unlike other long-running model lines like the Chronomat and Navitimer, the new Breitling Premier series tapped into a different part of the brand's history, one based on elegance and intended for dressed-up occasions. This is an original Breitling Premier chronograph ref. 788 from circa 1945, and its mid-century charm combined with exceptional quality comes across immediately. This watch has a few really standout features. The silvered dial has prominent Arabic numeral hour markers filled with radium lume. The hour and minute hands are syringe-shaped, with pointed tips for accurate time telling and a fill of luminous material. The three sub-registers – elapsed 30-minutes at three o'clock, elapsed 12 hours at six o'clock, and running seconds at nine o'clock – have a concentric, engine-turned decoration and anchor the dial with a feeling of balance and proportion. The classic Breitling script logo is placed under 12 o'clock with "PREMIER" branding below. The overall result is distinctly vintage and absolutely gorgeous. Beyond the dial, the stainless steel case of this Premier measures in at a highly wearable and oversized-for-the-period diameter of 36mm. The brushing and faceting finishes on the case are all extremely well-done and beautifully preserved. The printing on the caseback is well-defined and crisp while the piston pushers operate with precision. According to the Breitling Archive, the case of this watch was manufactured in May 1945; a digital extract will be sent to the new owner, stating the date of case manufacture, serial number, reference number, case material, and movement. We paired this Breitling with our Bedford Watch Strap in Beige to lean into the very vintage feel – especially with those syringe hands – and to match the aged color of the radium lume. The Fine Print Maker: Breitling Model: Premier Reference: 788 Year: Circa 1945 Case No: 584658Material: Stainless steelDimensions: 36mm diameter; 12.5mmCrystal: Plexiglass Lume: Yes, radium Caliber: Venus, manual-winding, caliber 152 Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE The Bedford Watch Strap in BeigeLug Width: 19mmBox/Papers: No, a digital extract from the Breitling Archives will be sent to the new owner stating the date of case manufacture (May 1945), serial number, reference number, case material, and movement. What we Love and What You Should Know This Breitling Premier is in overall excellent condition. The case is strong with scratches and the beveled edges on the lugs are clearly visible. The tip of the one o'clock lug has a small indentation. The engravings on the caseback are clearly visible and deeply stamped. The caseback has some deeper scratches from removing the caseback. The dial is in great condition with a light patina and some minor scratches and spots. The outer edge of the dial showing the tachymeter scale is in excellent condition. The lume on the dial has developed patina. The lume on the hands has aged and developed a patina similar in color to that on the dial, with some darker spots like in the lower third of the hour hand. The crown has a small indentation, and the piston pushers are in good condition with some light wear. The dial, case, and movement are signed by Breitling. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
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