This Breitling Top Time Chronograph, powered by the Venus 188 movement, received a complete service. The process began with a complete disassembly of the movement. Each part was inspected for wear or damage. Special attention was given to the jewels, which were manually polished with pegwood before placing the parts in the automatic cleaning machine for ultrasonic/agitation cleaning. After cleaning, the movement was reassembled and lubricated using Moebius synthetic lubricants. The escapement received Fixodrop (epilame) treatment to prevent oil migration. Once reassembled, the chronograph was adjusted and timed in all positions, where it showed excellent accuracy for a watch of its vintage. This service ensured that this classic Breitling chronograph will continue to perform reliably for many years.
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History
The Breitling Top Time Chronograph with the Venus 188 movement was introduced in the 1960s as a more youthful, stylish alternative to Breitling’s professional aviation watches. Aimed at a new generation of buyers, the Top Time featured bold dial designs, sleek cases, and a focus on affordability without compromising mechanical quality. At its heart, the Venus 188—a hand-wound, cam-actuated chronograph movement with a 30-minute counter—delivered reliable performance and was widely respected for its durability and ease of service. Fun Fact: The Top Time gained fame when it was worn by James Bond in the 1965 film “Thunderball”.