1950s Breitling Sprint Chronograph 18ct Yellow Gold Venus 188 37mm

Here we have a classic 1950s Breitling Sprint Manual Venus 188 featuring a 37mm round 18ct Yellow Gold case that gently curves over your wrist with fine tapered lugs. Its curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 44mm and a case thickness of 12mm, ensuring a comfortable fit. On the right side, rectangular chronograph pushers and a large domed coin-edged crown in the centre. A thin bezel holds a domed crystal above a silver dial. A blue outer KM/H Tachymeter scale surrounds a precisely executed minute scale, and a red KM Telemetre scale.  Gold-toned Arabic numerals mark the hours. At 3 o’clock, a 30-minute register and at 9 o’clock, a 60-second register, both slightly recessed with a concentric circular pattern. Slender gold-toned hands are complemented by a fine, tapered chronograph hand. At noon, we have the Brietling Sprint motif. On the reverse, a snap on the case back. Inside a manually wound Breitling Signed Venus 188, 17 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour. This workhorse movement was manufactured from 1948 until 1966, when Valjoux absorbed Venus, renaming the 188 the Valjoux 7730. It comes paired with a well-suited 20mm leather strap and pin buckle.

This watch is sold as "Watch Only". It comes paired with a well-suited 20mm leather strap and pin buckle. The watch is from Circa. 1950s and is being sold in a worn condition, but it is still in very fair condition, with a lovely silver dial and even patina across the original hands and numerals, as shown in the provided photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

Under £3,000 for an 18ct gold 1950s chronograph by Breitling, need I say more? This is the Breitling Sprint Chronograph, cased in an impressive 37mm 18ct Yellow Gold case and powered by a Breitling signed Venus 188. From a spec sheet, it is undeniably impressive, but in the gold and on the wrist, it is even better. A subtle patina is present on the dial, only elevating the vintage appeal whilst still being on the larger side at 37mm for a vintage watch from the 1950s. I would not hesitate to add this vintage gem to your collection today!

Reference : 1197
Movement : Manually Wound Breitling Signed Venus 188
Age : Circa. 1950s
Year : Circa. 1950s
Case Size : 37mm
Case Thickness : 12mm
Lug to Lug : 44mm
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : 18ct Yellow Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Establishing his workshop in 1884 in the picturesque town of Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Léon Breitling embarked on a remarkable journey. With a keen focus on creating high-quality and innovative timepieces, he specialised particularly in chronographs. Seeking to expand his operations in 1892, Breitling relocated to La Chaux-de-Fonds, a renowned hub for watchmaking excellence. This move allowed him to tap into a wealth of resources and skilled artisans in one of the heart of the Swiss watch industry. With ingenuity at the forefront, Léon Breitling patented a revolutionary movement in 1893 featuring an eight-day power reserve. In this year, he also introduced the pulsograph, a groundbreaking device engineered for measuring pulse rates. Léon patented a pocket-watch tachymeter in 1905, a pioneering tool that served as a precursor to modern vehicle speedometers. This invention was designed to measure speeds ranging from 15 to 150 km/h. The passing of Léon Breitling in 1914 marked a significant transition for the company, as his son, Gaston Breitling, took over the reins. Under his leadership, the brand continued to innovate and expand its influence in the watchmaking world. Gaston Breitling made a historic contribution to timepiece design in 1915 by creating one of the first wrist-worn chronographs. With an independent pusher positioned at 2 o'clock, this model prioritised wearability, redefining the way watches were used, particularly in dynamic environments. As early aviation began to take flight, Breitling's chronographs quickly garnered popularity among pilots and military forces alike. In 1939, the British Air Ministry placed a substantial order for Breitling chronographs for the Royal Air Force. This pivotal moment solidified the brand's reputation within the aviation industry, aligning its name with high performance and exceptional quality. Willy Breitling, Gaston’s son, unveiled the Navitimer in 1952. This innovative wrist-worn chronograph, designed with a circular slide rule tailored for flight calculations, was originally developed for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and marked a significant advancement in aviation timekeeping. The Navitimer was introduced to the public in 1956 and quickly became an emblem of aviation and precision timekeeping. Its distinct design and functionality captured the imagination of enthusiasts. Breitling launched the Chrono-Matic in 1969, recognised as one of the first automatic mechanical chronograph calibres. This milestone was the result of a collaborative effort with Heuer-Leonidas and Buren-Hamilton. The Breitling factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds closed its doors in 1978, marking a difficult period for the company. In 1979, Ernst Schneider, the owner of the Sicura Company, acquired the Breitling name in a bid to revive the brand. He relocated production to the Sicura factory, which underwent a significant transformation and became Montres Breitling AG, rebranding to Breitling AG in 1994. In a significant ownership shift, the Schneider family sold the majority stake in Breitling to CVC Capital Partners in 2017. Later in 2022, Partners Group, a prominent Swiss investment and private equity firm, acquired the majority of Breitling shares from CVC, further reshaping its financial landscape.