Breitling Datewheels

[14060 or 16610?]

Any progress on this one? I have an Asian Chronomat Evolution and I agree, the single-digit numbers are the wrong font and just leave a lot of space in the window. The correct font is bolder and fills up more of the window. Count me in, if this project goes anywhere!

[importr]

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?

[14060 or 16610?]

Doesn't look right to me - note the little crossed Ts on the tails of the 2, 6, and 9.

[14060 or 16610?]

This is what I was quickly able to whip together, still missing a few including number 1. These are mostly from Chronomat Evolutions but there are a couple shots from other models. It appears the fonts do vary from model to model, but the difference is negligible, especially since the font can seem to vary even on the same model depending on its age. I was thinking, couldn't we maybe find the font, generate an image on PC, then print with laser printer to a thin white sheet of plastic (similar to a transparency), then cut it out and apply to a datewheel? Might need to shave the datewheel a tiny bit to compensate for the thickness of the plastic sheet, but could work, no?

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[14060 or 16610?]

Does this help? Can somebody with Photoshop clean it up and sharpen it?

[14060 or 16610?]

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?

I just realized you are referencing the Navitimer and Crosswind font, however this thread is dealing with the 7750 datewheel which is not used in the Navitimer rep, so your font wouldn't be applicable. See posts #8 and #9, apparently someone has chased down the 7753 (Navitimer) font previously and the project appears to have died. I'm hoping to get a realistic font for the Chronomat Evolution.

[maxse]

Any chance one can be made for a Bentley GT?

[tonton2000]

The Chronomat Evo would be pretty much perfect with an accurate datewheel

[archibald]

Having done 3 different DW's now, i can tell you a couple of things from painful experience:

1)piecing the font's together from dial shots is a fools game --I ought to know since I'm the fool who's tried it.

2)The movement pic is a good start for ID purposes but it's not nearly high res enough to try to trace or duplicate

3)The font in the above myfonts link is not it, and would take too much tweaking in Illustrator to make it "it." I'm convinced most hig end watchmakers use proprietary fonts--OP, FM, and Tag do not but Rolex, VC, AP, Cartier and I bet Brietling do.

That being said, I've gotten my hands on what appears to be an OEM Brietling DW--it looks a lot like the gen version of one of the currently repped pieces, but it's not exact..maybe from an older model? Theoretically, would you guys be satisfied with an overlay that has slightly different 2's and 7's. Maybe ultra perfectionists could wear a different watch 12 days a month?

[shultz]

Theoretically, would you guys be satisfied with an overlay that has slightly different 2's and 7's.

John, what a question Of course I would be happy with that! I am definately in for one overlay for my evo

[b16a2]

Could you post a pic?

[Watchmeister]

I think we have a plan. I knew that laser cutting machine thingy wouldn't go to waste.

[supermanx]

Maybe it would be possible to get a high res pic from angus, since the watchmaker had a gen they were working with. Also it might be worth it to put a bug in rjb and The Zigmeister's ear that if they work a gen breitling (which i believe they both have occasionally in the past) to get a high res picture if someone is serious about this project.

From the last datewheel posts though I would say its probably not a project for the faint of heart.

[sammalone]

2s and 7s are no problem, the DW would be better than those we have.....sounds great!

[tonton2000]

Anything closer to the gen than the stock ETA wheel would be great!

Slightly different 2's and 7's aren' that big a deal, i'd still definately get a few!

[14060 or 16610?]

Any updates on this?

[cskent69]

Having done 3 different DW's now, i can tell you a couple of things from painful experience:

1)piecing the font's together from dial shots is a fools game --I ought to know since I'm the fool who's tried it.

2)The movement pic is a good start for ID purposes but it's not nearly high res enough to try to trace or duplicate

3)The font in the above myfonts link is not it, and would take too much tweaking in Illustrator to make it "it." I'm convinced most hig end watchmakers use proprietary fonts--OP, FM, and Tag do not but Rolex, VC, AP, Cartier and I bet Brietling do.

That being said, I've gotten my hands on what appears to be an OEM Brietling DW--it looks a lot like the gen version of one of the currently repped pieces, but it's not exact..maybe from an older model? Theoretically, would you guys be satisfied with an overlay that has slightly different 2's and 7's. Maybe ultra perfectionists could wear a different watch 12 days a month?

@archibald - I would take any type of Breitling datewheel as i am sure that they are better than what we have now. Are you and the gang still pursuing this?

[Defender110]

i hope still being pursued... i would be in for ... lets see.. 7+ ;-)

[14060 or 16610?]

Yes, please provide an update - I'm sure the members here are DYING to get their hands on these!