Breitling 765 CP - Lip dial

This Breitling 765 AVI/Co-Pilot is an important chronograph from the 1960s and features a rare double-signed dial with the logo of the French brand Lip.

Breitling's connection to aviation is more than obvious thanks to its innovative pilot watches. Among the most important models in the history of the traditional manufacturer is the AVI reference 765.

The first AVI was introduced in the 1950s and featured a black dial and a steel rotating bezel. Around 1962, the distinctive reverse panda dial was introduced, initially with a steel bezel, until finally in 1965, the reference 765CP with a black anodized aluminum bezel was introduced. The word "AVI" disappeared from the catalogs and was replaced by the acronym CP, which stands for Co-Pilot. Just 4 years later, the 765CP model with the legendary manual-wound caliber Venus 178 disappeared from the catalogues and Breitling focused on the automatic chronographs newly developed in 1969.

The specimen here dates back to 1966 and features a rare Lip dial. Lip was a French watch brand that made its own watches. In the 1960s, Breitling and Lip entered into a cooperation to better market their watches. Thus, the dials of some Breitling watches were marked with the Lip logo and are rare today.

Condition report
Dial: very good condition - black matte finish without scratches - tiny hair between 9 and 10 o'clock (only visible under a magnifying glass) - natural patina dots on the silver sub-registers - original and completely intact tritium luminous material in all three hands and in the long hour markers - the luminous material in the 15-minute counter is also intact and original - signed with "T".

Case: 40mm stainless steel case with screw-down back - natural wear marks - tiny dent at 10 o'clock - sharp lugs with intact bevels - intact and clearly legible engraving on the back: "Waterproof Shockprotected Antimagnetic Stainless Steel Breitling 765 CP".

Bezel: black anodized aluminum bezel with silver hour numerals and a tritium triangle at 12 o'clock - can be rotated in both directions - perfect condition without scratches.

Movement: manual winding caliber Venus 178 - timegrapher: rate: +31s/day, amplitude: 303, beat error: 0.6.

Summing-Up
The AVI/Co-Pilot reference 765 was one of the most innovative models in the portfolio of the Breitling brand. Despite its significant history and rarity, we believe this model is still completely underrated in vintage collector circles. This particular specimen impresses not only with its great overall condition, but also with rare double-signed Lip dial.

Serial number: 1083xxx (1966)

Int.Exe.: 60250