Breitling ref. 2934

Breitling ref. 2934

The Breitling ref. 2934 is an elegant vintage hand-wound watch from one of the most recognizable brands in the history of Swiss watchmaking. This model combines a classic round stainless steel case, hesalite crystal, Felsa 4010 movement, and a brown leather strap.

This particular piece dates back to around 1967-1968. The watch features a case diameter of approximately 34.5 mm without the crown, a screw-down caseback, an original signed crown, and a mechanical hand-wound movement. It is a classic representative of vintage watches from the late 1960s, designed in an elegant, timeless style.

Movement

At the heart of the watch is the mechanical hand-wound Felsa Calibre 4010 movement. This is a classic Swiss watch movement with a central seconds hand, introduced around 1955.

The Felsa 4010 was used as a solid base for hand-wound watches and was structurally related to the Felsa 4000 family of movements. Movements from this family enjoyed a good reputation due to their simple, durable construction and practical nature for everyday use.

The movement has a diameter of 11.5 lines, or approximately 26.3 mm, and a height of approximately 3.6 mm. It operates at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour, or 2.5 Hz, and offers approximately 47 hours of power reserve.

This is a hand-wound movement, meaning the watch requires regular winding via the crown. For many vintage watch enthusiasts, this is an important part of their daily interaction with the watch and contributes to the charm of mechanical timepieces from that era.

Case and Dial

The watch case is made of stainless steel and has a classic round shape. The case diameter is approximately 34.5 mm without the crown, the width with the crown is approximately 36.5 mm, the height is approximately 9 mm, and the lug-to-lug dimension is approximately 38 mm.

These proportions are typical for elegant men's watches from the 1960s. The watch sits well on the wrist, maintaining a classic, understated character. This size will particularly appeal to those who appreciate vintage proportions and subtle elegance.

The case features an original, signed Breitling crown and a screw-down caseback. These are important elements that emphasize the piece's coherence and its character as a utilitarian watch from that era.

The watch is equipped with a hesalite crystal. Hesalite crystal, also known as acrylic or plexiglass, was commonly used in vintage watches. It is lightweight, relatively shatter-resistant, and perfectly matches the historical character of the watch. Although it is more susceptible to minor scratches than sapphire crystal, its great advantage is its ability to be polished.

The dial maintains the classic styling typical of elegant Breitling watches from this period. The overall design is calm, legible, and timeless, perfectly capturing the essence of mechanical watches from the late 1960s.

Strap

The watch is fitted with a brown leather strap. The strap is of high quality and complements the steel case and the elegant character of the watch well.

The strap width is 18 mm. The brown leather accentuates the classic, vintage look of the watch, making it suitable for both everyday wear and more formal occasions.

Watch Condition

The watch is a used item. It may show natural signs of wear resulting from its age, previous use, and the nature of a vintage watch. The detailed visual condition is presented in the product photos.

For watches from this period, natural signs of age are part of the piece's history. The photos are an integral part of the description and show the actual appearance of the offered watch.

Set and Warranty

The watch is sold as a used item. The detailed scope of the set is visible in the product photos.

The product is covered by a 100-day Dial-House warranty. The warranty covers the proper functioning of the watch mechanism, excluding mechanical damage, water damage, improper use, natural wear and tear of consumable parts, and interference by third parties.

History of the Breitling Brand

In the watchmaking industry, much is said about heritage, history, and legacy. In the case of Breitling, this is not merely a marketing element, as the brand has been associated for decades with timekeeping, precision, chronographs, and the world of aviation.

The history of watches often intersects with the most important moments of modern times. The first man on the moon wore a mechanical watch, the development of aviation was inextricably linked to precise timekeeping, and watches accompanied people on their travels, at work, and during the most challenging moments in history.

Léon Breitling was born in 1860, likely in Les Ponts-de-Martel. His parents moved to Saint-Imier, and it was there that Léon Breitling founded his watchmaking company in 1884. The official registration of the business occurred in 1890.

From the outset, Léon Breitling was primarily interested in chronographs and the precise measurement of short intervals of time. He also had an innovative approach to movement construction. In 1889, he patented a simplified mechanism with a vertical clutch, which allowed for the production of more economical chronographs.

In 1931, the company launched a groundbreaking chronograph designed for aircraft and automobiles, which could be mounted on the dashboard. This was one of Breitling's significant steps towards the world of aviation, with which the brand later became exceptionally strongly associated.

Although the presented watch is not an aviation chronograph, it carries the legacy of the Breitling brand – a manufacturer that for years built its position on precision, practicality, and a technical approach to watchmaking.

History of Felsa Movements

Fabrique Ebauches et de Finissage Felsa SA was founded in Lengnau on September 16, 1918. Felsa was one of the important manufacturers of watch movements in Switzerland and played a significant role in the development of mechanical constructions in the 20th century.

In 1928, Felsa joined the structures of Ebauches SA, along with manufacturers such as A. Schild, Adolphe Michel, FHF, and others. Ebauches SA brought together many Swiss movement manufacturers, which had a significant impact on the development and standardization of watch movement production.

Felsa particularly made its mark in the 1930s and 1940s. Designer Friedrich Meyer patented an automatic winding mechanism in 1942, and in 1947, a bidirectional winding system was patented. This solution was used in the well-known Bidynator movement.

Felsa movements were used by many brands, including Breitling. Thanks to successful designs and innovations in automatic winding, Felsa obtained permission within Ebauches SA to specialize in automatic movements, alongside manufacturers such as ETA and A. Schild.

The Felsa Calibre 4010 remains an example of a classic, Swiss hand-wound movement that combines simplicity, durability, and practical utility parameters.

Key Information

Brand: Breitling

Reference: 2934

Year: approximately 1967-1968

Movement: Felsa Calibre 4010

Movement type: mechanical, hand-wound

Central seconds hand: yes

Movement diameter: 11.5 lines / approximately 26.3 mm

Movement height: approximately 3.6 mm

Operating frequency: 18,000 vibrations per hour

Power reserve: approximately 47 hours

Case: stainless steel

Case shape: round

Case diameter: approximately 34.5 mm without crown

Width with crown: approximately 36.5 mm

Case thickness: approximately 9 mm

Lug to lug: approximately 38 mm

Caseback: screw-down

Crown: original, Breitling signed

Crystal: hesalite / acrylic

Strap: leather, brown

Strap width: 18 mm

Set: as per product photos

Warranty: 100-day Dial-House warranty

Condition: used

For questions regarding condition, operation, set, warranty, or the possibility of viewing additional photos, please contact Dial-House store before purchase.