
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Breitling Top Time Chronograph "Mk. II" (Ref. 810) Matte Black Dial, 1969
- Maker / attribution
- Breitling (maker)
- Date
- 1969
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 38 mm
- Stock no.
- BRT810-5
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BRT810-5)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1969 Breitling Top Time Chronograph "Mk. II" (Ref. 810) Matte Black Dial (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BRT810-5), this is a wristwatch by Breitling, made in Switzerland, dated 1969. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
The Breitling Top-Time ref. 810 is a beautifully designed and oversized chronograph that boasts a robust 38mm case with thick, straight lugs. The ref. 810 was produced in several different case designs throughout its production. The very first case design, or Mk. I case, was a monocoque case by EPSA that was quickly replaced with a snapping back case that carried over to the Mk. II case design. The Mk. I case featured a slimmer profile through the lugs and bezel, whereas the Mk. II cases featured much thicker broad lugs. Throughout the lifespan of the Breitling ref. 810, there was a commonality between the two different Breitling 810 cases, however, and that is the workhorse Venus 178 chronograph movement. SPECS Stock # BRT810-5 Brand Breitling Style Top Time Chronograph Model 810 Serial 128XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black W/ Silver Sub-Dials Millimeters 38 Bracelet Vintage JB Champion Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The excellent oversized case retains full and symmetrical factory dimensions and crisp lines throughout, while also exhibiting honest signs of previous use. The case retains its original pump pushers and Breitling signed crown. The case back retains all of its factory markings in great condition; the serial number has faded from wear, but still remains fully legible. The watch comes supplied on an era-correct JB Champion stainless steel bracelet that shows no stretch and will fit up to a 7.5-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original matte black dial with crisp silver sub-dials is in flawless condition, showing no damage or notable signs of age. The tritium lume plots have taken on a subtle cream patina and display no degradation under UV light inspection. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly with no degradation present when inspected under UV light. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time and functioning perfectly, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be purchased upon request.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
Related records
Clocks · c. 1990s
Breitling clock, c. 1990s (Antiquorum Lot 389-18)
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Clocks · c. 1990s
Breitling clock, c. 1990s (Antiquorum Lot 389-20)
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1940s
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1940s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1970
Wristwatch by Heno, Switzerland, 1970
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · 1960–1986
'Tri-Compax' calendar chronograph wristwatch in gold case, by Universal, Geneva, Switzerland, 1960–1986.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1969–1970
Beta 21 Quartz wristwatch movement, made in Switzerland, 1970.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · c. 1969
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, ref. 145022-69st, c. 1969
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
