Breitling 'Clamshell' Case Chronograph - 'Gilt'
Breitling has a long history of aviation inspired chronographs - and this present gilt dial example is no different. The near-perfect multi-scale dial has patinated to a unique two-tone coloring. The outer scale are presented in a lighter grey color, while the inner dial is a deep lustrous black which allows the gilt printing to really shine through. As if the dial wasn’t enough to stop you in your tracks here - this is also a clamshell cased chronograph. The clamshell case was a unique method of case construction that lasted from the late 1930s into the 1940s - and was used by several different brands. These are also sometimes called 'Spillman’ cases by collectors. One of the benefits of these contract cases was the watches tended to be a very good size - and 36mm for something of this era is quite large indeed! Powered by the venerable Venus 175 movement inside - this Breitling functions as well as it looks. The Venus movements were a favorite of Breitling throughout the 20th Century for their reliability and durability - two important hallmarks if you are relying on your watch in the cockpit of an airplane!
Condition Report & Details
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Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
Warranty Exclusions:
- Internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
- Our warranty is non-transferable.
The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee
At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
- The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.
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"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."
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From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.
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