Model: Breitling "Antimagnetic" Chronograph Ref. 1188
Year: 1950
Features:
The Design. When I came across this 1950 Breitling chronograph, I was instantly drawn to its rich patina - but it was the hour markers that really hooked me. Nothing says vintage quite like Art Deco numerals. I’d never seen Breitling use these before, and after a bit of digging, I found that they only appeared briefly in the late 1940s and early ’50s on a handful of models.
The Movement. Inside beats the Vénus 188 - a cam-actuated chronograph calibre that may not be familiar by name, but whose legacy certainly is. Praised for its robustness and ease of servicing, it became the movement of choice as sportier watches gained popularity in the 1950s. Eventually, it caught the attention of Valjoux, who acquired Vénus and reworked the movement into the Valjoux 7750 - and later still, it became known as the ETA 7750, after ETA acquired Valjoux. There’s always a bigger fish.
The Legacy. If you’ve worn a neo-vintage or modern chronograph, chances are you’ve encountered this family of movements. The 7750 powers models like the Breitling Navitimers, Omega Speedmasters, IWC Pilots, Tag Heuer Carreras, and various Sinn, Tissot, Oris, Longines, and Hamilton Chronographs. Ubiquitous is almost an understatement.
Specifications:
Condition: In a delightfully aged condition. Just serviced. Marks everywhere, but all original. The original chrome plating has worn away at the edges, so the nickel is visible throughout.
Scope: No box or papers.
Movement: Vénus 188 Chronograph
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 39.0mm
- Lug to lug: 46.5mm
- Case Thickness: 12.8mm
- Lug Width: 18mm
