While they might be best known for pilot’s chronographs and dive watches, the particular chronograph that we have here is the Breitling Football Timer chronograph from the early 1970s. Offered in a 40mm entirely-polished C-type case, the Football Timer was a large watch for its time, which has inevitably made it a fantastically wearable watch for us these days. A beautiful watch with an intriguing history free from Breitling’s typical hype and fanfare, the Football Timer is a peculiar watch for the collector who wants a watch a little of the beaten track and unique. Indeed, it was designed to time halves of a football (soccer) game, with its black dial boasting a ¾ red track around its dial periphery to time the 45 minutes of a half of a game. In addition, it also boasts an indicator at 6 o’clock that indicates at a quick glance if the chronograph is running to make the referee’s life that bit easier when the game stops.

The watch is in overall near-mint condition. The stainless steel case is exceptionally clean for its age, with only a few small nicks and scratches from light wear or handling over the years. The case back retains its original sticker. The bezel is well defined and virtually unmarked. The dial is near mint with some aging to the lume markers, while the hands are clean with some discolouration to the lume. The watch is fitted with a Tropic rubber strap and a Breitling steel buckle in like-new condition.

An intriguing piece of horological history that points to just how specialised watches had to be sometimes prior to the creation of modern technology as we know it, this watch's history is rich and quirky.