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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: NA
Posts: 146
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My great-grandfathers Breitling Cadette Chronograph 1185
Hi everybody,
I recently received my great-grandfathers Breitling Cadette 1185 which was gifted to him in the 1950s for his 70th birthday. Its in pretty good shape and wears very comfortable! I do plan on changing the bracelet for a leather strap which should give the old bracelet a well deserved rest and make the watch look a bit more up to date. The watch will at some point need some restoration, but I think it looks really modern for a 1950s watch and I love the design - what do you guys think? Best wishes to you all! |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail
Location: New Albany
Watch: Tudor Sub 75090
Posts: 8,163
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That's very nice.
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 6,551
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Lovely family heirloom to have.
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 662
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I think you’re 100% right. A nice leather strap and that watch will look superb. Great to have such a nice story behind it as well.
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#5 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: GA
Posts: 4,819
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#6 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: Rommel
Location: Toronto Canada
Watch: 116710LN
Posts: 9,094
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Wow, I really enjoy stories like these. Fantastic watch that I'm certain you'll cherish. Also serves as a reminder regarding the longevity of mechanical watches. Thanks for sharing!
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: NA
Posts: 146
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Thank you for all the lovely comments!
Do you guys have any experience with Breitling servicing their vintage watches? I'd hate for this watch to return new but without some of its original parts? I was considering going to an independent watchmaker for this restoration. Regards |
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#8 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: Rommel
Location: Toronto Canada
Watch: 116710LN
Posts: 9,094
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I've never had to look into Breitling servicing anything like this, however, in your shoes I would thoroughly explore independent watch makers.
One thing I always wanted was to send a watch into someone who makes YouTube videos of servicing the piece. Videos or not, an independent seems like the best bet here in my opinion but maybe there's something I don't know about Breitling's official service network and vintage watches. |
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#9 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: NA
Posts: 146
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Quote:
I agree with you, I will probably go for an independent watchmaker - Breitling will no doubt do a good job at restoring the watch, but I will run the danger of having too many parts replaced and left with a different factory watch. |
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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Justin
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,307
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You might want to reach out to WatchFred since he's probably the leading expert on vintage Breitlings and see what he recommends. I know he's on here but not very active otherwise I know he's on instagram.
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#11 | |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: Rommel
Location: Toronto Canada
Watch: 116710LN
Posts: 9,094
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Quote:
Good call there, and my thoughts were along those likes too. I've seen this happen for vintage watches of various brands, Omega especially. Keeping things as original as can be, especially with the sentimental value here, is well worth pursuing. |
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#12 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Real Name: Michelle
Location: Canada/Florida
Watch: WG Breguet Typexx
Posts: 2,849
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Quote:
That’s a very nice watch you have. Congratulations. |
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#13 | ||
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Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: NA
Posts: 146
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Quote:
I saw a couple of 1185s online, but nothing quite like the one I have here. I was thinking that its possible that Breitling made boutique editions for some jewelers they worked with. That's why they all looked a bit different. Quote:
I'd be very curious to see your watch. The more I researched about my watch, the more I started to appreciate vintage Breitling watches. They are really cool and sometimes even ahead of their time design wise. |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Mar 2021
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Posts: 146
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Here are two images of the watch after I did a quick strap change.
I had two other straps available, one alligator black and the other an alligator (shiny) brown, both very bright due to the texture and shine and I felt that they took away the attention from the watch itself. I ended up choosing the most subtle strap I got which would leave the center stage to the colours of the watch itself. Will post more pictures once it's had a cleanup. ![]() |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 3,427
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Absolutely stunning & incredible condition. Looks like you bought it yesterday that grey strap!
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#16 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: Rommel
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Watch: 116710LN
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Wow, that strap choice definitely creates a stunning combination. With this watch you'll have many options, all of which will be striking. Keep the images coming!
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#17 | ||
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Join Date: Mar 2021
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Quote:
Quote:
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#18 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Real Name: Eddie
Location: NY
Watch: Too Many
Posts: 18,477
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Beautiful watch and great back story to go with it.
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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Virginia
Posts: 11
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That's really a great family heirloom! Congrats on giving it new life.
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#20 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
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Very nice.
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#21 |
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Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: paris
Posts: 54
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I like this kind of story and watch.
Thank you for sharing. |
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#22 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2012
Real Name: CJ
Location: Kashyyyk
Watch: Kessel Run Chrono
Posts: 21,112
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Beauty. Your great grandfather had taste.
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#23 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2021
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Posts: 146
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Quote:
Thank you guys! ![]() |
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#24 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 3,427
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Quote:
![]() Meant to say the watch looks like it was purchased yesterday with THAT strap. lol Meaning that its a style that has come back around to being being modern looking especially on the grey strap. ![]()
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- Rolex Explorer - 214270 - Tudor Black Bay - 79230B - Tudor Chronograph - 79270P - Breitling Chronomat - 10th Anniv. - Huguenin Freres Speedmaster Prototype |
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#25 |
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Join Date: Mar 2023
Real Name: Francisco
Location: Huntington Beach
Watch: Tudor Ranger
Posts: 35
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What a clean, classic look.
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#26 |
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Real Name: Jeff
Location: Arizona
Watch: is recovered!!
Posts: 4,254
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What an excellent way to honor your great-grandfather. Enjoy it!!
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 19
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I absolutely love this. To be fair, not a fan of the original bracelet, but that leather strap really makes the watch and it just looks incredible.
Your grandfather had great taste. You've taken a family heirloom and sympathetically modernised it with nothing more than the right strap while keeping the vintage look. That's class. Hopefully our kids and grandkids feel the same when they inherit our ones. |
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#28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: NA
Posts: 146
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Hi guys!
Changing things up a bit with a new brown/cognac colored alligator strap. I still love wearing this watch and have immense respect for it. It also keeps time very well and I've found plenty of use for its chronograph function at work. Best wishes to you all! ![]() |
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#29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 19
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Just stunning.
It looks fantastic and even better with this strap. |
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#30 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: Rommel
Location: Toronto Canada
Watch: 116710LN
Posts: 9,094
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Another winning combination, very nice! That brown Alligator strap is ideal for the Gold tone. Glad to hear you're enjoying the chronograph complication.
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