1960s Breitling Top Time MK1 810 Chronograph 38mm

Here we have a classic 1960s Breitling Top Time MK1 810 Chronograph featuring a 38mm round stainless steel case that sits comfortably on your wrist, with thick, tapered, flat-ended lugs. Its curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 45.5mm and a case thickness of 13mm. On the right side,  we have the piston pushers and a coin-edged crown in the centre. A smooth bezel holds a domed crystal above a dynamic reverse panda dial. An outer Tachymeter scale surrounds a minute track precisely executed above baton indexes coated in Tritium, marking the hours. At 3 o’clock, a 30-minute register, at 6 o’clock, a 12-hour register and finally at 9 o’clock, a running seconds register, each is recessed with a concentric pattern. Steel baton hands filled with lume are complemented by a tapered white chronograph hand. At noon, the Breitling motif and at 6 o’clock, Toptime completes this distinctive vintage chronograph. On the reverse, a case back engraved with the watch details, inside a manually wound Venus Cal. 178, 17 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour. This quality column wheel chronograph is started and stopped with the top pusher and reset with the bottom pusher. It comes paired with a well-suited  21mm strap and pin buckle. This watch is sold with a later Breitling box.

This watch is sold with a later Breitling box. The watch comes paired with two well-suited 21mm straps and pin buckles. The watch is from Circa. 1960s and is sold in worn vintage condition; signs of age will be seen, and it appears this example has been professionally refurbished in its recent past. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The iconic and legendary Breitling Top Time is a model most of you will know well, especially with some of the fantastic modern releases in recent years. But nothing comes close to a vintage reference 810. This vintage gem features the classic black dial with contrasting white subdials, all powered by the manually wound Venus Cal. 178. If you are in the market for a vintage chronograph, the Breitling Top Time should be on that list. Don't hesitate to add this fantastic watch to your collection today!

Reference : 810
Movement : Manually Wound Venus Cal. 178
Age : Circa. 1960s
Year : Circa. 1960s
Case Size : 38mm
Case Thickness : 13mm
Lug to Lug : 45.5mm
Lugs : 21mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Later Box
Case Material : Stainless Steel
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.