New in the watch word, should i go A7750 or A2824 ?

[FR.Popeye]

Hello,

I came across the world of rep a few weeks ago and since i've been in love with Breitling since i'm a kid growing up going to many air show, I want to buy a rep Breitling.

My first choice was the Navitimer 8 / Aviator 8 with A7750 because of the open case with Breitling marker on the rotor but i'm afraid of everything i've read about the reliability of the A7750. I don't care about the chronograph working or not if the watch keep working but i'm afraid to break it but using it by error (while riding my motorcycle for example)

My second choice would be the Idiot proof Aviator 8 with no chrono and A2824 as i feel like i won't be able to break it by mistake as it's a simple movement but i dislike the lack of engraved rotor and open case. Would it be possible to make a frankenstein of it and have an engraved rotor breitling on the A2824 and an open case to see it ?

I also love the look of the Top Time but i'm also afraid of the reliability of the A7750.

I can read 10 different thread and have 10 different answer about it. As of 2024, are the Breitling rep with sub dial at 9-6-3 really that fragile or should i go open minded about it and buy the one i love the most ?

Thanks for reading,

Popeye

 

[Geonor]

If you're getting a Chrono, get one from m2m. Once it's proven they're not too bad. They tend to fail in the first few months if they are prone to it. Getting a used one let's you know how it is.

 

[KJ2020]

Just plan on never using the chronos and you can get an A7750. The 3-6-9 reps have transfer gears and an extra plate to move the functions around. These gears can fail or get dislodged. Also the non-dialside chrono parts often aren't the best quality and can hang up, especially on a hands reset.

Also the transfer plate on a 3-6-9 causes the datewheel to be very sunken. There is a mod that can be done to freeze the 3 subdial and raise the datewheel. This is not an issue if you choose a 6-9-12 model.

Unmodded

Modded

No modding needed

 

[TESLA760]

That's absolute nonsense. I have a few 7750 watches and use my chronos regularly. As long as you learn how to properly engage the pushers, they can last a long time. I have one that's over 12 years old and still runs well. You can damage a Gen B13 movement the same way you'd damage an Asian 7750.

 

[TESLA760]

If you're getting a Chrono, get one from m2m. Once it's proven they're not too bad. They tend to fail in the first few months if they are prone to it. Getting a used one let's you know how it is.

This is true. Many years ago one of our trusted watchsmiths told me run the chronos as soon as you receive the watch. You'll know quickly if the movement will fail.

 

[Plaasbaas]

I don't care about the chronograph working or not if the watch keep working

There is part of your answer in my opinion. If you want the looks and don't need the chrono function (I have yet to find reasons for the chrono function in real life), then go for it and just don't use the chrono. More than twelve years ago the chrono function of an A7750 failed on me on day one. I was lucky that I could zero out all hands with the chrono disengaged, and since then I never touched the chrono again. The watch itself still runs flawlessly and accurately (time and date) and is an absolute workhorse.

With another watch I wasn't so lucky. I ended up taking the movement apart, reset the chrono hands manually and disabled the chrono functions altogether. But also with this watch the rest works great, timekeeping and everything are quite satisfactory.

Modified versions of the A7750 such as the 3-6-9 layout have some added parts and gears resulting in some added reasons to fail if you are unlucky. But also the simplest movement can fail if you are unlucky.

but i'm afraid to break it but using it by error (while riding my motorcycle for example)

I can relate to that. The other day I accidentally and unwantedly activated a chrono while taking a watch out of the box. I can happen.

Therefore, buy both and use the non-chrono one for motorcycling

I can read 10 different thread and have 10 different answer about it. As of 2024, are the Breitling rep with sub dial at 9-6-3 really that fragile or should i go open minded about it and buy the one i love the most ?

You can read 1 thread and have 20 different opinions. And everyone has his own experiences of course - having used them and/or worked on them.

This is a hobby, allowing you to enjoy a replica of the real thing for a very reasonable price. But not without risk. There are no guarantees.

Therefore I'd say buy what you love the most. If the purchase burns a whole in your purse though, rather allocate your funds to the necessities of life.

 

[catana1981]

It's down to luck I suppose.
I ve had quite a few watches over the years with a 7750 movement and never had any problems.
That being said I refrain from using the chronograph.
An a2824 will always be more reliable than a 7750, no question about that, especially with the modified versions of the 7750.
If you like the watch soo much and you plan on keeping it, have it serviced.
That will give it a bit more durability.
Wish you luck.

 

[KJ2020]

After modding a couple Navitimers to fix the sunken date issue, I would not ever be happy living with a sunken date. You may not notice it much in ad or QC pics or think it's that big a deal but like most rep flaws, once you know about it and see it, it's hard to unsee. These flaws attract our eyes nearly every glance and can significantly reduce our enjoyment of the piece. So just be aware of what you are buying into.

Another modded datewheel

Something else about an A7750 you may not know is the rotor only autowinds in one direction. So there is no gear resistance on it in the other direction and it can be quite noisy while turning that way. It can be quieted to a degree using lubricant, but often a wrong heavier oil or worse, silcone grease is used which impedes functionality and can spread to where it shouldn't.

 

[FR.Popeye]

Thanks everyone for all those answers.

I'm still unsure. I'd like it to be a watch i can wear anytime. It will need sturdyness so i think i'll go first with the 2824 movement like this one

And later i will go for the model with chrono like this one

Even if i'm not going to need the chrono and won't use it, i'm still afraid of the chrono activating on his own because of the motorcycle gloves which would lead to break the watch.
Secondly, the 2824 movement is cheap and can be bought again and replaced / serviced easily. For a watch i wanna wear daily, it seems more rational.


Last question : could it be possible to ask the TD to swap the closed case from the aviator 8 2824 with the open case of the 7750 one and adapt a gen breitling 2824 rotor ? this would be the perfect watch : Reliable and Beautiful.

 

[KJ2020]

Last question : could it be possible to ask the TD to swap the closed case from the aviator 8 2824 with the open case of the 7750 one and adapt a gen breitling 2824 rotor ? this would be the perfect watch : Reliable and Beautiful.

You can ask. I doubt any TD would accommodate such a request. Simple requests like a different bracelet or added links are sometimes done but what you're asking for is not so simple.

 

[FR.Popeye]

When i was talking about a gen breitling rotor, i meant to buy it myself. Can't the TD swap the back case for an open one from the chrono rep ?

 

[KJ2020]

When i was talking about a gen breitling rotor, i meant to buy it myself. Can't the TD swap the back case for an open one from the chrono rep ?

I understood that and my answer stands. The casebacks may be slightly different sizes, the watches may be from different factories - this is not something a TD is going to want to mess with, even if you offered a reasonable extra payment. It's not worth the hassle to them. But ask, by all means. A long standing relationship with a high dollar customer would weigh in favor of a request like this but being an unknown first-timer isn't going to help.

There are aftermarket see-through casebacks you can try to find.