1940s, Breitling "Premier" Chronograph

1940s, Breitling "Premier" Chronograph

Reference:782
Caliber: Venus Cal.175
Movement: Hand-wound
Case: 18KPG

Breitling. This brand is so closely associated with the sky that it is always mentioned when talking about rugged pilot watches, and it is a representative manufacturer specializing in chronographs.

Breitling has a strong image of being suited to the wrists of strong men, but of course there are models that don't fit that description. One such model is the "Premier," which reigned as the brand's flagship in the 1940s. With its current model being revived in 2021, many enthusiasts will be familiar with its name.

The Premier line was released in 1943 and was produced until the 1970s, and was named after relatively dressy chronographs. The Ref. 782 featured here is a model with a snapback case and square pushers, making it stand out as a particularly dressy piece. It is powered by the Venus Cal. 175 movement, a high-end model featuring a horizontal clutch and column wheel. While movements made by Valjoux and Lemania are often mentioned among enthusiasts, Venus is not often mentioned, perhaps because it has fallen into disuse over time. However, Venus was a prestigious ébauche manufacturer on par with these manufacturers.

This particular example is made from the rare 18KPG, and the lemon-colored dial matches the color of the case, giving it a unique sexiness.