Hi,
What are the things to look for with these.
Never owned a chronograph but really like the look of this.
I guess servicing is the main issue and the function of the chronograph.
Here is a rough shot of the one I have seen.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y4sg62dmdi...%2059.jpg?dl=0
What would be a fair price?
How much are they asking? If its retail I doubt if it'd be fair! These have either a Valjoux or the more desirable Venus movement. 18mm lugs so wear quite small. The reverse panda dial is the more popular variant. If it was mine and on SC I'd be asking a negotiable £750.
Nice watches. A good mix of elegance and sporty that wears larger than its 36mm size as it's 'all dial'. Smart with alligator, casual with perforated racing strap.
Yes, seek information on service history and check chronograph functions. This is a ref 2002, a front loader, so not always as straight forward to inspect the movement visually.
Dial looks original, but check condition of the finish, as well as presence and condition of lume dots. Check hands for surface corrosion.
The other obvious thing is case / lug condition. From this photo it looks pretty good, with sharp edges retained.
Forgot feedback re pricing: from memory these have sold on the Forum for around £900 (someone might correct me). In the big wide world I'd not be surprised to see prices £1000 - £1200, or higher.
Here's one of mine. And a tatty picture of the pair:
Lugs are 19mm, just for clarity.
Thanks guys.
Chrono24 is suggesting around the £2500 mark.
I don't know what they are asking yet.
Here's a link to a pretty comprehensive article on the Top Time: https://thespringbar.com/blogs/guide...tling-top-time
Hodinkee actually included it in their article on the 'ten vintage watches that should be more expensive than they are and why'
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/te...ey-are-and-why
Oh, and here's a wrist shot of mine - they wear quite large for their size:
Sold this one a few months ago, £550 and that was a struggle.
and the reverse panda next to my old Constellation. Both long gone. If the TT would have been in a larger case it would have been perfect. They are lovely all the same.
Thanks for the put so far. I'm down in Brighton for a couple of days and this has caught my eye.
This one is in the same place.
http://www.oceanjewellers.co.uk/brei...-top-time.html
This one on EBay.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=...tlihg+top+time
And chrono24
http://www.chrono24.com/breitling/60...-id5852948.htm
All seeking around £2500. Is the wishful?
Sellers can ask what they like but IMHO, that's 806 Navitimer money, other worldly & plain daft/speculative.
Originally Posted by bongo
Granted, sellers can ask what they like and buyers can wish for lower prices ...
Just trying to get a feel for where they meet in the middle.
I've been offered a nice one within the last year for less than half the above dealer prices, so not everyone's expectations are so high.
The prices look significantly higher than I was expecting, but then nice examples don't come up too often, so perhaps buyers are becoming more willing to pay that bit more.
A look at completed (sold) listings on eBay shows that there are some matching your requirements selling for £1500 in recent history.
The one you linked to in your original post looks a good example. It would be good to learn of the price.
Avoid the Chrono24 one you linked to. The dial is a dog, with lume catastrophes at 3 and 9 and a tachymeter scale that has all but worn away.
Patience is your friend.
I'd have thought a grand would get you a decent one. I've had mine a coupe of years. Rytetime serviced it without issue. It came with greeting strap and deployment which was nice. I like it wear it quite alot.my tachy scale is quite worn at the bottom which is not uncommon.
I looked at one last year for 1500 so I'd agree with this - sit tight.
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
I shall go and try them on.
Went in.
Girl was clueless.
£2595 for a black dial.
£1995 for the silver.
Claimed the black dial was more rare ...
Last edited by Montello; 15th March 2017 at 14:17.
Well Ocean Jewellers in the Brighton lanes was a disappointment.
Looked in their window plenty of times and visited twice.
First time the girl in there was clueless so suggested I call back later.
Second visit the guy seemed totally disinterested.
Watches were both nice but no deal was done.
Last edited by Montello; 15th March 2017 at 19:15.
I really do like these but the more attractive examples are now seeking very high prices. There are very similar alternatives at more realistic prices, for example the Vantage chrono from the same period. I have a black dial one of these.
See: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/1970s-vantage-chronograph-valjoux-7733-$650-obo-1335978.html
Nice but I'm on the search now for a reverse panda top time.
Have at look at the Omega De Ville 145.017 too.
Keep an eye out for Fellows auctions. The next big one is April. For some reason Breitling doesn't always achieve the big prices. I tried on a Top Time at their Mayfair viewing in Feb I think? It was lovely. IMHO the round faces cases appear to go for significantly higher than the cushion shaped.
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