Breitling
Reference 808 Chronomat | A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch, Circa 1960
No reserve
Lot Closed
June 17, 07:24 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: silvered
Caliber: cal. 175 mechanical, 17 jewels, 'WOG' stamped
Case: stainless steel, snap on case back
Case number: 217'012
Closure: stainless steel Breitling folding clasp
Size: 37.5 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
The integrated slide-rule function has been an iconic design of Breitling’s aviation watches since approximately 1942. Although best known as part of the Navitimer, it was actually the Chronomat that featured the first application of the calculating device.
The name "Chronomat" comes from the combination of the two words: chronograph (chrono) and mathematics (mat). The slide rule, at its simplest, is basically a mini-calculator on the watch, allowing the wearer to quickly go through various calculations by simply turning the bezel. The slide rule can determine anything from simple multiplication and division to measuring the distance of a climb or descent, both of which are very useful for a pilot. As seen in this example, the Chronomat models from the 1960s and before had a caseback engraved with "CHRONOMAT + 217012," indicating the patent number for the slide-rule design.