importr

I wonder if the dials had come from the era when Quartz was all the rage...? When the Swiss watchmaking industry was on its knees...

Cheers all a few more pics of brushing the Fighters... BEFORE: AFTER: BEFORE: AFTER: gen & rep comparison.... AKAIK, the flaws with the Oris TT3 chrono rep are: Lack of engraving on the case back Wrong rotor shape inaccuracy of printing on the inner bezel missing red tip on large seconds Titanium not used? 21,600 vph asian movt...

Thanks for the kind words fellas - I think my chrono interest is turning into obsession !

Hi, Some of you (from RWI) probably know my style by now, i just love chronos! I also had an interest in aviation - although I've not got around to starting any flying lessons! I guess life's just too damn busy. I had some spare time last night, where I managed to take a lot of pics (albeit a bit rushed); some of which are my best watches - with relevance to aviation....hope you enjoy.... First up, the IWC 3717 Pilot . How apt! Bought from Precious Time UK around 1 yr ago. Still running strong, looks very clean and crisp. I fitted the ETA day & date wheels to this. It feels very solid and dependable, for a rep. (yeah yeah, I know about the fibre thing on the bezel!) Next, a genuine Breitling B-1. I've had this for less than a year, bought from a US dealer on eBay. Looks very bling. Extremely accurate and versatile. Very comfortable on the wrist without being too heavy. The bezel/slide rule mechanism is wonderful! Gen. Breitling Navitimer - some would say the pilots watch. This one, a Serie Speciale Fighters Edition, bought from the same US eBay dealer about 2 years ago. I had owned a series of Navitimer replicas, but in the end I was fed up of the flaws and dead movements. This one came with a brushed Navitimer bracelet, very comfortable, but it looks better with the calf leather. I've just sent this off for a service with Breitling UK. Gen. Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch. Bought from a Japanese eBay dealer also around 2-3 years ago. Like the Navitimer, I had various replicas, but again I gave way to the gen. This feels old school when I wear it, in comparison to the other watches I have. Classic styling perhaps? So well made, this feels bulletproof. Apart from the Hesalite crystal... Breitling Chronomat Evolution, apparently the Italians had influenced the design of the gen., therefore a nice stylish dress watch. Bought from PureTime a while ago, when the Evo2 rep was first released. This one keeps good time, although it was not entirely without trouble. The dial @ 6, needle moved in proportion to the main hour hand - although it has gone back to 'parked' for the last 6 months or so. The Date wheel doesnt quick-set anymore. Maybe this needs a service....? I modded the bracelet and strap horns with a brushing wheel. The rep croc strap was later bought from eBay, a very nice combo. I was gonna buy a Blackbird...but they look too similar?? Ah, yes. Another Navitimer! :roll: This one being the hi-beat 7750 Serie Speciale Fighters rep. I did a comparison a long time ago between the gen and rep, the differences being quite noticeable! This one was bought from King about 1 year ago, the original movt supplied had died on the first day! I dropped the watch onto a boarded floor as I was unwrapping it. Blast While swapping in the new movement, I decided to go the whole 9 yards and brush everything, Navitimer bracelet too. I also fitted the ETA date wheel. The strap in the pic is a Hirsh Liberty. It feels like seriously good quality hide. Love it Here is a Bell & Ross BR03-94, bought recently from Perfect Clones. I love this watch. The wide band and case being the essential fashion accessory. Very accurate, as you'd expect from an ETA quartz. I've not needed to mod this at all....yet. Can't see any reason to try to 'improve' it? Umm....another B&R!! Sorry if you hate B&R...but its literally like a cockpit instrument clock! De riguer! This BR01-94 is another favourite of mine. Reason 1 being the all black stealthy & tough look. Reason 2 being the price I bought it for - $140! ...for an ETA! (bought from an auction site, new) The leather strap, although not looking entirely accurate to the gen, is very comfortable... I was surprised to find out. "IS THIS THE FRICKIN BREITLING SECTION?!" haha.. no....but another example of a rep with mods! This Navi was an early model low-beat 7750 tricompax. I trimmed a genuine dial and shoehorned it into the case. Strap is a BOB (Waccex.de) croc with tang buckle. The movement packed up recently... I got this from Canal Street, NYC! My first B&R - and fitted with an AltStraps calf leather - worth more than the watch! The Miyota OS20 not being to everyones rep taste, but it's a nice souvenir that reminds me of my trip to NY with the wife ...and dragging her around Chinatown !! Now....my latest acquisition....a gen. Breitling Chrono Avenger. Not quite an aviators watch....but then why not? It doesnt need to be worn with a 737 pilots suit...how about an AH-64 jumpsuit?! I just luuurve this watch. Really really well made, it pisses all over the rep - in every aspect. I might take this to the Andes this summer... Finally, another gen that I bought recently, an Oris TT3 Ti chrono. I was about to pull the trigger on the rep; but the flaws put me off, and the gen price on the Net was to good to miss. So I got this. Another great sports watch, feels very comfortable and light - I often forget that I'm wearing it. The quick-lock crown is a great idea too, stops all that thread stripping paranoia. So, thats it! For now.... My collection of gen & reps...

Hi and welcome to the forum... I live in the UK and I've never had any customs issues (touch wood) when buying from any overseas dealer. I use Precious TimeUK but I also use overseas delaers like Perfect Clones, PureTime, Silix, and others not known to these forums - they all have the same sense not to make the packages look dodgy. If you get any asian 7750 (which is in the rep you want), you should take care of it...and not abuse the chrono functions too much...as this can cause problems. I prefer to just wind up any new chrono watches and run it for at 24hrs before attempting to use the chronos...just to run it in, so to speak. There a few UK watchsmiths which are willing to service reps....but they are understanderbly quite cautious...since it must be a touchy subject with the majority. Good luck with your Navitimer (make sure its the latest model), its a great Breitling. I'm sure you'll enjoy it! The straps are easy to change, you can either buy the cheap watch hobbyists tool set (from fleabay) or use a few common tools to remove the spring bars. regards Me (Navitimer and general Breitling freak)

I got mine yesterday (from king), and the only noticeable issue is the very slight misalignment of day/date wheels. no big deal, considering that it couldve been worse!

but if someone really knew- a gen Fighters case back is actually smooth etched, not engraved

I believe that the manufacurers already know what the font is, as I was looking at a chinese made Breitling box (that I've had for over a year) yesterday, and the font is just like the font as in the Breitling Chronolog (05). Anyway, after hours of trawing the web I found this - which I think is the closest to the Navitimer and Crosswind series. http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/aboutype/redeye-serif/light/ type in "12469 BREITLING" and you see the example. A bit of tweaking to make it wider may produce the correct style?

If you like them both - just get them! I did! Still awaiting delivery though....

They made the Old Navitimer between 1991 and 2002, so my guess would be they would be made around 98 onwards? My genuine Fighters Edition was made/registered in 2002.

Hi Very impressive. Did you mention which movt was in there? Asian or ETA?

...and to my fellow (past & present) Dark Siders! Not got my Avatar sorted yet, but some will recognise it when its up! I'm obviously new here, but I'd been on the other side for a while - where its gone all serious and quiet! So I thought I'd check this place out. I'm very keen to learn and share info on reps, mods, ppl to buy from & ppl to shy from! See ya's soon!