Breitling 765 AVI Raquel Welch

This super attractive and important vintage Breitling AVI 765 chronograph dates back to the 1960s and is associated with a prominent personality.

Breitling has been one of the leading manufacturers of aviation chronographs since the 1940s. The brand won the trust of military organizations thanks to the accuracy and robustness of its wrist chronographs. Presented in 1953, the AVI 765 with an all-black dial set the standard for pilot watches at the time and is now a symbol of 1950s military chronographs. Among the most important identifying features of the AVI is the 15-minute counter, which was initially displayed in a small window and later in the classic sub-dial at 3 o'clock. In collector circles, it is believed that the reason for the 15-minute format is the 15-minute inspection of the aircraft before takeoff.

Offered here is a rare version of the AVI 765 chronograph with its high-contrast reverse panda dial, which was produced between 1962 and 1965. To highlight the exclusive 15-minute counter at 3 o'clock, Breitling decided to make the sub-register at 3 o'clock larger compared to the other two sub-registers: A design feature that is very popular among collectors today. The version here with the rotating steel bezel, is very rare, as it was replaced by the black aluminum bezel version already around 1965.

The watch is accompanied by a stainless steel bracelet in admirable vintage style. It wears very comfortable on the wrist and just looks cool.

Always interesting from a historical point of view are the connections of famous actors, racing drivers or other public figures to certain vintage watches. Among the most famous are Paul Newman, Nina Rindt, Jo Siffert and Steve McQueen. Less known is the Breitling AVI 765's connection to Raquel Welch, a true icon of pop culture and cinema of the 1960s and 1970s. The American actress wore an example of the reverse panda AVI 765 with a steel bezel during the filming of the British spy comedy Fathom in 1967 (see picture).

Condition report
Dial: excellently preserved - no significant scratches, marks or spots - light natural patina on the silvered sub-registers - original and fully intact tritium lume in all three hands and in the long hour markers - the luminous material in the 15-minute counter is also intact and original - matching colors - signed "SWISS".

Case: 40mm stainless steel case with screw-down back - natural wear marks, no dents or rough scratches - sharp lugs with intact bevels - intact and clearly legible engraving on the back: "Waterproof Shockprotected Antimagnetic Stainless Steel AVI 765".

Bezel: stainless steel bezel with straight hour numerals 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and a triangle at 12 o'clock - rotatable in both directions - excellent condition without scratches.

Movement: manual winding caliber Venus 178 - timegrapher: rate: +11s/day, amplitude: 339, beat error: 2.5.

Bracelet: stainless steel mesh bracelet in beautiful retro style - hardly any wear marks.

Summing-Up
This appealing Breitling AVI 765 is an important chronograph from the long-established and rich in tradition Breitling brand. The present specimen manages the perfect balancing act between a valuable vintage timepiece and a reliable wristwatch that you can easily wear every day.

Serial number: 974xxx (1963)

Int.Exe.: 73227