Breitling - GMT & GMT +1 Europe Dual Instantaneous Time Zone Circa 1950 Ref. 1211/19

Here is this Breitling GMT & GMT +1 Europe Instantaneous Dual Time Zone, reference 1211/19, dating from around 1950. A particularly rare and unusual vintage piece in Breitling’s history, it was designed around a dual time zone function dedicated to the different European time zones, demonstrating how Breitling was already at the forefront of innovation and ingenuity in the development of timekeeping instruments at the time.

Its 35 mm gold-plated steel case features long, elegant lugs and houses a superb dial that has developed particularly pronounced oxidation over the decades. This oxidation, with its various shades and traces of time, contributes greatly to the unique character of this example.

The most distinctive and rare feature of this watch lies in its unusual display, allowing two time zones to be read simultaneously. The dial combines Arabic and Roman numerals and directly indicates several European countries and regions according to their respective time zones. In particular, the inscriptions “Europe Occidentale” and “Europe Centrale” can be found, accompanied by the corresponding countries around the dial. This highly distinctive graphic layout is one of the most fascinating aspects of this reference and reflects an era when the development of international travel was creating a need for new watchmaking solutions capable of displaying multiple time zones.

The dauphine hands add an elegant touch to this particularly detailed display, while the small seconds are positioned at 6 o’clock within a slightly recessed subdial.

It is powered by a 17-jewel hand-wound mechanical movement. The movement will be regulated as accurately as possible in order to achieve the best possible timekeeping performance considering its age.

Reference 1211/19 is a Breitling that is extremely rarely encountered on the market. Its dual time zone system, dial specifically designed around European time zones, and quintessentially 1950s aesthetic make it a particularly interesting piece for a collector seeking a historically significant Breitling.

It is fitted with a new burgundy leather strap.

It comes with our 6-month warranty on the movement.