*Note: The crystal was upside down when the photos were taken. It has been corrected and a wrist shot was added to show it correctly.

In 1985, in collaboration and partnership with the famous French Yachtsman Éric Tabarly, Breitling developed an unusual ref. 80.790. The model was made both in this lades size and a mens size reference.

It features a uni-directional rotating compass bezel that has been said it could be used for navigation or wind direction for yachting.

Quite uniquely, the crystal has gold painted Breitling logo and crosshairs on its underside.

Not a widely bought watch, very few can be found today.

For those not familiar Eric Tabarly was a French Navy officer who won the prestigious Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race twice, once in 1964 and then again in 1976. From 1966 until 1976 he won numerous other races and was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In 1980, Tabarly sailed his boat Paul Ricard for a transatlantic race, beating Charlie Barr's transatlantic record. He retired from active service in July 1985 and in 1997 won the Fastnet Race. Tragically the next year while in transit to the Irish Sea he was swept overboard and lost at sea.

The watch features the Tabarly signature on the dial, as well as "designed and tested by Eric Tabarly" on the back plate.

We are pleased to offer today an example of this rare watch in gorgeous condition.

It has all of its original parts and presents in gorgeous condition. The bracelet shows moderate signs of stretch and has been previously reinforced on the underside of the clasp (not visible when its being worn) - otherwise it would present as about a 9.5 out of 10.

Its case has only very light remnants of wear to the back and shows only very light signs of having been previously polished - on the wrist it presents as mint. Its silver dial is untouched and mint condition.

A Master Watchmaker has performed any needed servicing and installed a new battery. For the finishing touch we have meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

If you're a Breitling collector don't miss this one. It might be years before you find another 80.790 that presents quite as well!

Breitling:
Since its founding in 1884, the Breitling firm has been known for working tirelessly to define what the perfect watch should be. Embraced by pilots since the dawning of aeronautics, Breitling watches are the only ones that grace the wrists of the world's elite aerobatic groups, namely the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds, The British Red Arrows, and the Russian Knights. Breitling's timepieces rank with Vacheron & Constantin as the world's most superb and expensive timepieces.

Worn by Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, Jerry Seinfeld, and Tommy Lee Jones, the Breitling watches are favorites of Hollywood celebrities and anyone desiring to wear a timepiece of distinction.

• Manufacturer: Breitling
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Year built: c. mid 1980's
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds, Quick-Setting Date, N,E,S,W bezel
• Model: "Éric Tabarly", Ref. 80.790
• Designed for: Ladies  
• Dimensions: 27.3mm diameter (excluding crown - 32.3 including crown), 34mm lug tip to tip, 9mm thick
• Case material: Gold plated and stainless steel
• Case condition: Presents as just short of mint condition with very light remnants of wear to to the back which shows only very light signs of having been previously polished. On the wrist it presents as mint.
• Dial: Silver, gold arrow and dot baton indices, signed Breitling and "Tabarly", original, mint condition
• Hands: Original, large luminous gold batons, "lozenge" gold sweep hand
• Band: Original, stainless steel, signed Breitling, sized to fit a wrist up to approx. 6.6 inches without engaging its convenient wet-suit extension, adjustable, shows moderate signs of stretch and has been previously reinforced on the underside of the clasp (not visible when its being worn), its finish presents as mint
• Crystal: Sapphire with gold Breitling logo and painted crosshairs on the underside, excellent condition with light partial loss of one crosshair
• Servicing: A Master Watchmaker has performed any needed servicing and installed a new battery. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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