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Rare British military-issued Breitling in red gold tone, fully serviced and collector-ready
It is not often that a Breitling Cadette from the mid-1940s bearing the British Government’s Broad Arrow stamp becomes available, especially one in a red gold tone gold-filled case and in such immaculate condition. This military-issued timepiece represents a rare intersection of Swiss precision and British wartime utility. By the mid-1940s, following the famed Dirty Dozen commissions, the standards for receiving the Broad Arrow mark were extremely high. Breitling met those standards with this outstanding piece.
This example has had only three known custodians to date and has clearly led a gentle life. Acquired from a respected collector who was the second owner, it remains beautifully preserved and was fully serviced in 2025. It now awaits its next chapter in the hands of a new owner who appreciates quality, heritage and authenticity.
The case measures 31mm excluding the crown, with a lug-to-lug length of 37mm. The lugs themselves are elegant and semi-teardrop shaped, with a lug width of 16.5mm. The watch houses a reliable mechanical movement with 15 jewels and runs exactly as it should following recent servicing and our comprehensive pre-dispatch checks.
The dial features oversized Arabic numerals for high legibility under pressure and the luminous hands, likely radium-filled, show characterful aging consistent with the period. There is some gentle patina to the hands and a very faint patina on the dial, adding to its vintage appeal without compromising clarity.
This timepiece is for the collector who values integrity and detail. If price alone is your primary factor, this watch may not be for you. While cheaper examples may occasionally appear at auction, they often come unserviced, with unknown histories or questionable authenticity. Choosing a piece of this calibre is about confidence and curation. Much like buying a fine car without documentation or service history, a cheaper option may end up costing more in the long run.
When worn, the watch makes a refined statement. It is visually striking yet subtle, comfortable on the wrist, and endlessly fascinating. It offers more than timekeeping—it offers a story, a legacy, and presence. For those who recognise the significance, it is a meaningful acquisition.
Before dispatch, all our watches undergo a meticulous 48-hour quality check covering timekeeping accuracy, full functionality and a professional cleaning. This Breitling will arrive ready to wear and enjoy immediately.
A beautiful and rare piece from one of Switzerland’s most respected makers, this Cadette Broad Arrow is a standout collector’s item. With its military provenance, elegant design and superb condition, it is a watch to treasure, wear with pride and ultimately pass down through generations.
Key Specifications
REFERENCE NUMBER: 794962
BRAND: Breitling
STYLE: Wristwatch
CONDITION: Very Good
SCOPE OF DELIVERY: none
MOVEMENT: Mechanical
CASE MATERIAL: Gold Filled Red Gold
BRACELET MATERIAL: Leather
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1944
CASE DIAMETER: 31mm
CASE THICKNESS: 9.5mm
CRYSTAL: Mineral
SERVICED: 2025
