The Breitling 817 was introduced in 1975 specifically made as a tool watch for Italian Army Helicopter pilots, and in some rare cases to platoon commanders of the Battaglione Paracadutisti Carabinieri Tuscania (just google these guys and see what being badass is all about!) These soldiers get a full training as Carabinieri (Military Police) then a full training as paratroopers at the “Folgore” Paratroopers Brigade School in Livorno, Tuscany and they use the steep mountains of Sardegna and Calabria as their usual fields of operations, hunting kidnappers, mobsters and members of the infamous Camorra. Yes this Breitling was actually used what it was made for, it was issued to the Italian Military in the mid 1970’s and it has the scars to back it up. Even though the case is showing hairline scratches and some small scars, it remains in absolute unpolished and all original conditions with a strong case and all four of the lugs showing razor sharp lines. The bezel on this Breitling 817 is manufactured entirely of aluminium, this one piece bi-directional rotating bezel with a sixty-minute graduation is black PVD coated and was made according the military specifications, just like the rest of the watch. This Helicopter pilot’s tool watch is fitted to it’s original, Japanese-made expanding bracelet – The entire watch is in an excellent condition, especially considering its Army issued status. The back of the case is probably the most important piece of the watch, it’s very well preserved with the following military engraving; “E.I” (Esercito Italiano) which translates to “Italian Army”, along with the watch it’s military stock number – in this case; 0613 These Breitling 817 Italian Army Chronographs were never made available to civilians on the open market and very little pieces have surfaced so far or are offered for sale. Only 500 pieces ever were manufactured with most decommissioned and/or destroyed, making this a very, very rare military issued Breitling Chronograph. She was serviced by our watchmakers and is accompanied by the original Breitling military issued box – We love to welcome you at our HQ in Haarlem and tell you more about this amazing Breitling Cronometro Da Polso. reference: 817 Cronometro Da Polso (CP-1)case number: E.I. 0613year of production: 1975case diameter: 39.5mmmovement: handwound caliber, Valjoux 236box and papers: accompanied by original Breitling Cronometro Da Polso box SOLD
