The Skyland Blacksteel Revisited...

[chiman12]

I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately as my focus on my projects are concentrated mainly on Rolex. But I always had a passion for Breitlings and own a genuine B2 and a rare semi-perpetual Astromat. I particularily like the vintage TransOcean...

But this model is very hard to find or very expensive to acquire. Maybe one day...

So my focus on Breitlings are more the modern models.

As some people may be aware, I've had my V3 Sklyand Blacksteel with a Swiss 7750 for sale. Unfortunately, no takers, maybe because it is a V3 or that the movement needed servicing. Oh well...

But I liked the Blacksteel, the only thing that bothered me was the minor nuances of the V3 version, in that the "1"s are not quite correct and the chronopushers are too long. So I decided to embark on a franken Blacksteel project.

First stop...vlydog's V2 Skyland case set with a DLC bath with a chief double A/R coated crystal. B...I hope you don't mind me reposting your sales pic.

Next was to find a geniune dial and get the Swiss 7750 serviced...so off to scour the world of E-Bay and it was successful. Here is the finished product...

When I received the case set from vlydog, my first impression was that the DLC coating was way too thick as compared to the gen or the cartel versions. The finish on the case set was also more matte, while a gen Blacksteel has a more of a polished-satin finish finish. A pic of a gen...

So I proceed with "testing the limits" and determined how much abuse the DLC could handle. I proceeded to polish the case, to get that gen-like finish. I must say, that I'm quite impressed with the DLC, for I had no problems power polishing the case.

The DLC is stellar as compared to the cartel DLC finish which scratched quite easily. I would definite not put a stock rep case through a power polish, because you just might end up with a stainless steel...Blacksteel...

As for a gen dial...for a good franken project...you need it. Even though the cartel dial is very good in itself, the rep dial is stamped and as a result, there is distortion around the hour indexes...

The hour indexes on the gen dial is very clean, no distortion whatsoever, because the gen dial is not stamped...

In addition and going back to my introduction pic, the rep subdials serrations are not as pronounced as a gen. Notice the minute sub-dial and the pronounced detail at average room lighting.

...and the Chief double A/R crystal just makes the dial pop! I was also suprised at how close the V3 hand color matches the red "Automatic" on the gen dial!

So the final specs:

DLC'd V2 Skyland case set (thanks once again B!)

Gen Breitling dial with rep tach ring

Chief double A/R crystal

V2 Blacksteel case back.

Genuine Swiss 7750

Modified V3 A7750 hands

The only thing I need to do is to relume the pearl and this is where I could use other members assistance. It seems that there is a small piece of glass covering the pearl. Can any tell me how I can remove it without damaging it?

Thanks for looking everyone!

Edited November 13, 2011 by ChiMan12

[Utheman]

I really like that vintage TransOcean also. I hope you find one someday.

As for your project, great job on polishing the DLC, and I really like that gen dial and a/r combination. The watch looks awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[HauteHippie]

Nice project. It turned out great. Enjoy!