This White Star chronograph has a Breitling mystery to it – see below for more details.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
There seems to be very little data on White Star watches. They were registered in 1939 with this cross logo, so this watch must post date that. They have nothing to do with White Star Line shipping, famous for the Titanic disaster. We do know this movement was used around 1950, and that fits the styling too, so we have gone with that date.
CONDITION
Let’s cut straight to the mystery – the movement in this watch is stamped Breitling. There are a couple of reasons why this may be. Possibly the watch was made by Breitling for White Star. Normally Breitling watches would have a 3 digit stamp on the case back, but we have no way of knowing if they did make this watch. Another equally valid possibility is that this watch had some service work in the past, and they used a Breitling marked part. Breitling used the column wheel Venus 170 chronograph movement in their Populaires series around the same time, so that might explain it. Either way we are selling the watch as a White Star, and if you have any further information please do contact us. The movement is all functioning well, albeit the chronograph minute counter resets to just before 12. The case is chromed, as the Populaires were too, and has nice lugs that are also drilled for easy strap changes. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour if preferred. The dial is excellent, with gilt numbers that would have matched the hands (the hands are a little dull now). The chrono pushers have lost their plating over the years, and the stainless steel caseback looks to have had some crude polishing at some point, but at over 70 years old the watch wears well.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 38.3 mm
Width without crown 35.0 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 42.3 mm
Case Thickness 13.5 mm
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.