Up for sale is this uber-rare 1950s Breitling ref. 1-260 Unitime with synchronized 24-hour ring complication and rotating World Time bezel for telling time in multiple zones. It is 100% authentic Vintage Breitling and in overall Very Good original condition. This first iteration of the Unitime is much more rare than the 1960s military-style 2610 and even more scarce in Stainless Steel, as most of these 1-260s are gold plated. It has a 710k serial number, which according to the best available information dates it to circa 1955. Auction prices for these have gone through the roof recently (such as this one: http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalog.html?action=load&lotid=29&auctionid=240 ) and while this example is not perfect, it is honest and untampered with and features its original factory printed dial and an unpolished steel case. Even the verdigris on the inner world time insert has a certain authentic vintage charm to it. To put the cherry on top of the sundae, this rare Breitling has just had a complete movement overhaul.

The asking price for this ultra-rare Unitime is $4850 USD including fully insured shipping worldwide. Bank Wire only on this transaction. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting.

Click here for large dial scan>> http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/tomvox1/Unitime%201%20260/Unitime1-260_Master.jpg

CASE & CASEBACK: Lovely large 38mm faceted lug case (width including bezel but not crown) has very crisp edges and shows the original satin finish to the sides--I would say it has never been polished. The case has a few minor nicks but is easily in Excellent vintage condition overall. Snap-in caseback is likewise unpolished and externally Very Good with some marks and dings. All original Breitling nomenclature for the era and model is present and legible, including the UNITIME and correct 1 260 reference. Inner caseback has minimal corrosion but with signs of the same dings as the outside. It features all correct Breitling nomenclature and a 710k serial number, correct for the short window of manufacture for these scarce 1st generation Unitimes.

DIAL & HANDS: Lovely finely etched silver “world map” dial with original print and applied bar markers, Breitling “B” and sunken minute dots. There are some marks to the dial as can be seen in the photos--I rate it as Very Good all-original condition. Stepped window for the red date @ “3” and Excellent two-tone inner self-rotating ring for telling 24-hour time and calculating other international times with the aid of the bezel. Original steel sword hands are Very Good as is the baton sweep seconds.

CROWN: Original knurled Breitling-signed crown has been whacked a bit over time and so the “B” is a bit deformed. However, it fits snugly against the case, winds and pulls out to the time-setting position exactly as designed.

CRYSTAL: Original domed acrylic crystal is Excellent with some light scratches and a few more permanent small dents.

BEZEL: Original finely knurled bidirectional bezel is Excellent. However, the calibrated World Time insert has significant verdigris (copper/brass-style corrosion) with some loss of the time zone names, so while it is original by my strict standards I can only rate it Fair. Additionally, the original tiny click ball bearing is missing from its position within the top right lug and so the bezel rotates freely in both directions with light finger pressure rather than clicking into a fixed position. Obviously legibility is not what it once but calculations of different time zones around the world plus or minus the wearer’s current location in relation to the inner rotating 24-hour ring can still be made. And of course, this insert could be reprinted by a qualified professional or another found with a bit of luck.

MOVEMENT: This Unitime features a special Breitling-modified Felsa cal. 711 17-jewel gilt finished automatic movement with shock protection. This synchronized 24-hour ring complication was no doubt inspired by Patek Phillipe’s famous 12-120 HU (but available here for a fraction of the PP’s cost ;)). As one would expect of a freshly serviced watch, it is keeping good time with all functions operating as they should and, most importantly, the 24-hour ring is perfectly synchronized with the conventional 12-hour hands. This complicated Unitime comes with a 6-month movement guarantee for normal, non-abusive use.

BAND: This great Unitime comes on brand new hand made Italian black leather strap with white stitching. The lug width of this watch is 19mm.

I make absolutely NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch.

This all-time classic Vintage Breitling is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund. In this unlikely event shipping must be by a carrier with signature confirmation--I am happy to arrange it with my FedEx account and pay the costs. This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
tomvox1@hotmail.com