Can someone tell me info. Re. J.Class Chrono

[gnatmas]

I have recently obtained a J Class Chronograph, I am unable to obtain any specification, about this model, other than it is made up to the 1980's and is for Jamican yacht racing. It is in mint condition, with orgininal leather strap, I just wish to know have I paid over the top. Like to know present average value.
Also, I am unfamiliar with the chrono function, I am familiar with the start stop normal chrono mode, but this watch seem to have dual stop watch function, ie. press top button once started one red tipped hand, press the top button again activated the subdial but stopped the 1st long hand, press the same top button again.reactivated the hand , but the subdial returned to 10. The bottom buttom is to reset the hands to Zero. I cannot work out what it means. also on the facia graduation from10 to 100,what does that mean, By the way , this is a QUartz 7 hands model.

I thank you all for advance for any info. This is my 1st Bretiling, I have owned many Omega and ROlex previously.

[SnapIT]

I have recently obtained a J Class Chronograph, I am unable to obtain any specification, about this model, other than it is made up to the 1980's and is for Jamican yacht racing. It is in mint condition, with orgininal leather strap, I just wish to know have I paid over the top. Like to know present average value.
Also, I am unfamiliar with the chrono function, I am familiar with the start stop normal chrono mode, but this watch seem to have dual stop watch function, ie. press top button once started one red tipped hand, press the top button again activated the subdial but stopped the 1st long hand, press the same top button again.reactivated the hand , but the subdial returned to 10. The bottom buttom is to reset the hands to Zero. I cannot work out what it means. also on the facia graduation from10 to 100,what does that mean, By the way , this is a QUartz 7 hands model.

I thank you all for advance for any info. This is my 1st Bretiling, I have owned many Omega and ROlex previously.

Hello,

If I read your description of the stop watch function correctly what you are observing is the normal function of the ETA 1/10th second stop watch functon.

Push 1 - start the chrono and centre second hand going.

push 2 - stop the chrono and centre second but now the 1/10th hand moves
to mark which 10th of that second that has elapsed. ie 20sec + 3/10ths.

Push 3 - start a new lap and reset 1/10th sub dial to zero for next stop lap.

I hope this makes sense. I've attached this photo because the transocean uses the same ETA movement I believe. The upper right subdial is the 1/10th register if it is the same as your watch.

[altro]

Hi gnatmas,

Here is some further info to add to SnapIT's explanation of the quite complex timing capabilities of the J-Class Chrono.

The J-Class Chrono is rare and seldom comes up for sale. However, the fact that it has a quartz movement means that it will never attract as much interest from collectors as a mechanical watch. It is hard to put a value on it because of its relative scarcity but I would estimate roughly about $800-$1200. (If anyone disagrees please feel very free to comment).

Most people do not realise that Breitling has made watches for sailors for at least 40 years and has a fine history of interest in, and financial sponsorship of, yachting. This has been largely eclipsed by Breitling's connection with aviation.

The J-Class range was conceived in the 1980's for sailors and within a year or two of introduction had, along with the Chronomat Yachting (mechanical movement), replaced the Tarbarly line of sailor's watches that preceded them. Then in the late 1980's a chrono version was launched, the J-Class Chrono (sometimes called Chrono J-Class). Later a smaller "Lady" version (non-chrono) was introduced.

The J-Class watches were named after the big 40-metre J-Class yachts that sailed in the America's Cup in the 1930's (Not named after Jamaica). Some have been restored and are still sailing today.

http://www.jclassyachts.com/assets/vel-old1.jpg

http://www.jclassyachts.com/assets/oldvel3.jpg

J-Class Association website:
http://www.jclassyachts.com/jclasshistory.html


A Brief Chronology:

1988: J-Class ref. 80250 introduced (non-chrono). This was a large watch; automatic B10 movement, steel with an 18K bezel.

1989 ca: J-Class Chrono ref. 80290 introduced with quartz B53 movement based on the ETA 251.262 caliber.

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/2151/chronojclass4oe.jpg

J-Class Chrono - a handsome watch!


1990: Smaller 'J-Class Lady' ref. 80260 introduced with quartz B52 (non-chrono) movement.

1990/91: All Breitling model references updated to new system. J-Class Chrono becomes ref. A53067 (for all-steel version). Available in steel, steel with 18K bezel or all-18K.

1993/94: J-Class and J-Class Chrono discontinued. A new version of the Chrono Shark, the 'Chrono Shark Yachting' took over as Breitling's quartz sailing chronograph. (The mechanical Chronomat Yachting was also still available). The J-Class name for the family of watches was dropped and the sole surviving member, the J-Class Lady, was renamed Lady-J and rather uncomfortably moved to the Nightflight family. However the Lady-J's "nautical looks" were still referred to in the 1994 catalogue although the Nightflight range was ostensibly an aviation line.

2000 ca: The Lady-J was discontinued.


Using the Chrono Functions:

The B53 movement has two center (sweep) chronograph hands which register chrono seconds and chrono minutes. The chrono minutes hand effectively frees up the third (top right) sub-dial which is used for 1/10th second readings (as described by SnapIT). The (0) to 100 outer scale gives decimal minutes ie 1/100th's of a minute which can sometimes be useful if you wish to do further computations with your timing results.

For full operating instructions I suggest you write (English is fine) to Breitling in Switzerland and ask if they have a copy of the manual they could send you. If not, could they perhaps send you the manual for another watch with the same B53 movement such as the Chrono Sirius, Chrono Shark Quartz, or Chrono TransOcean.

I hope that helps....

Regards,

[rbt]

Alan, your thorough replies and extensive knowledge continue to amaze. This post should make it to the articles section. Cheers, Bob

[gnatmas]

I thank you all for such detailed information, I shall look in the forum more often. I have purchased this watch at a fraction of the quoated price, and I have it check out by a hologist friend, ( not a expert in Bretiling, and verdict is genuine). I really had a excellent buy. I think I will look for another Bretiling for my partner soon.

Thanks to you all