Breitling Caliber 73

ETA Caliber 251.264

Breitling Caliber 73

Manufacturer ETA
Caliber Number 251.264, 251264
Replaces ETA caliber 251.262
Movement Type Quartz (mechaquartz / SuperQuartz)
Lignes 13 1/4”’
Diameter
30mm
Thickness 5mm
Battery Cell Number 394 (SR936SW)
Claimed Battery Life 5-6 years (with the chrono not running)
Jewels 27
Frequency
32,768 Hz
Stem
401-1339 (tap 10)
Hand Sizes
2.0mm hour/1.50mm minute /0.30 second / 0.80mm chrono / 3 x 0.20mm subdials  (7 hands total)
Thermocompensated?
Yes
Hacking?
Yes
COSC?
Possible, depending on the variation
Functions Central hours; central minutes; small seconds subdial at 6:00; 1/10 chronograph seconds at 2:00; 60 seconds central chronograph hand; 60 minutes central chronograph hand; 12 hours subdial at 10:00; split seconds chronograph function; date at 4:00
Country
Switzerland, Swiss made
Known Models
Breitling Chronospace Evo Night Mission (add yours in the comments)

The ETA caliber 251.264 is a 27 jewels superquartz movement, part of ETA’s Thermoline family of movements. It is not a Certified Chronometer (COSC), but it can be certified and they have versions that are. This movement is an upgrade or replacement for the discontinued ETA caliber 251.262.

Variations:

There are four main versions of the caliber 251.264. They are all the same diameter, with the main differences being the dial layout and whether they are PowerDrive or PreciDrive.

  • 251.264 AA – A PowerDrive and PreciDrive movement
  • 251.264 AN – A PowerDrive movement
  • 251.264 BE – A PowerDrive movement
  • 251.264 BD – A PreciDrive movement
  • 251.264 IE – A PowerDrive movement
  • 251.264 HE – A PowerDrive movement

How to tell which two letter version you have? We’re still not sure. ETA only stamps them as 251.264. If you know how to tell, please let us know in the comments below and we’ll update this post.

PowerDrive and PreciDrive:

From ETA:

“The PowerDrive technology integrated into all these movements controls the motor drive and increases the speed of rotation of the hands on the dial to 200 Hz, that is to say 200 hand jumps per second. It offers the manufacturer a great deal of freedom in the display combinations. This arrangement provides one more remarkable dynamic to a modern three-counter, sport-chic look that is already well known and appreciated by the general public. The PreciDrive technology integrated into a calibre will allow the watch to achieve exceptional precision of +/- 10 seconds a year, a score equivalent to a precision of 0.027 seconds a day.”

Date Setting:

This movement sets time just like most other watches, with exception of the date. The date is mechanical. Instead of a typical quickset date where rotating the drown in position 1 flips the calendar wheel, the date is advanced by the hour hand jumping forward in one hour increments (similar to the Rolex GMT-Master II or quartz Omega Seamaster for example). This feature also assists in setting the second time zone.

Resetting the Chronograph Hand to Zero:

If your chronograph hands are not lining up after a battery change, use the following steps to reset them back to 12:00 or zero:

  • For the 12 hour counter at 10:00, pull the crown out one click to hour hand/date setting position and press the top chronograph pusher. Each push will advance the hand forward one click, you can hold the pusher in to advance the hand faster. When the hand is lined up, press the crown back in.
  • For the 60 minute central chrono hand, similar to the steps for the 12 hour counter above, pull the crown out to hour hand/date setting position and use the bottom chronograph pusher to advance the hand until it is lined up. Push the crown back in.
  • For the 60 seconds central chronograph hand, pull the crown out 2 clicks to the time setting position. Use the top chronograph pusher to advance the hand until it is lined and push the crown in.
  • To reset the 1/10 second subdial hand at 2:00, pull the crown out 2 clicks to the time setting mode and use the bottom chronograph pusher to advance the hand until it is lined up. Push the crown back in.

The small seconds subdial at 6:00 does not need reset because it is continuously running.

Eta Caliber 251 262 Reset Chronograph To Zero

The caliber 251.264 shown here was found in a Breitling Chronospace Evo Night Mission. Breitling refers to this movement as the caliber 73 when they use it in their watches.

Replacement Prices:

At the time of this post, replacement prices for the 251.264 were found online for $129.95.

Macro Image Gallery:

ETA 251.264 Tech Sheets (PDF):

Additional Resources:

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Breitling Caliber 73 Watch Movement | CaliberCorner.com
5 years ago

[…] ETA caliber 251.264 […]

Mike
Mike
4 years ago

I have the COSC version I’m my Christopher Ward limited Edition Rapede Chronograph chronometer. I have had this watch for just about a year and it is very accurate & reliable. It has the COSC certificate with it and it’s the first time I have seen one. (Ihad an Omega Seamaster chrono chronometer and that came with an Omega plastic card even though it was COSC). So it was nice to see. The date of the tests and the results at various temperatures ETC. I don’t know how long that calibration lasts is it forever? Or just until the next… Read more »

Dan
Dan
2 years ago
Reply to  Mike
Hi Mike, I'm curious about the accuracy of your COSC certified mechanism and this in comparison with the non COSC version!Do you think you can answer my question but with the luxury of details and "precision"!
Slonie
Slonie
4 years ago

The movement type seems to be stamped on the back where the diamond-shaped area is. The one at the very top of this page says BB (which, curiously, isn’t in the list of variants).

Also the AA model is slightly different as it seems to be used in watches (Certina DS) with 1/100th second timing on the central hand (for the first minute), with a 30 minute counter subdial. It’s possible that it’s just different programming, but ETA’s website lists the 1/100th as a feature on the AA and IIRC none of the others.

Manuel
Manuel
4 years ago

Certina ds podium chrono 1/100

Tim Tucci
Tim Tucci
3 years ago

Hi, I have a Sector SGE200 chronograph that I’ve had since 1996. I suspect it might use this movement. In any event, the hour counter doesn’t move anymore. Over the decades, it’s had at least one long (years long) period with a dead battery, but after a new one was put in, the pushers all worked fine and the watch worked flawlessly. In addition, I’ve started wearing it regularly again lately, the chronograph seconds hand reset to the 58 second mark. I reset it as per the instructions above. I mention it because I have a Victorinox with the same… Read more »

Autterson
Autterson
3 years ago

One or the primary reasons I purchased a Certina DC-2 Chronograph C024.447.16.051.01. It’s a beautiful watch with a serious, high-end, quartz movement. It’s a keeper for sure.

Wristwatch collector
Wristwatch collector
2 years ago

I have a vintage 1988 Bulova Marine Star 4.071.4.0.04 chrono, in fact, my father bought it as a surplus many years ago when i was still a kid, it uses an ETA 251.262, the gearbox is busted & i wanted to repower my Bulova with the ETA 251.264 BE.

Robert Tillinghast jr
Robert Tillinghast jr
2 years ago

Love this Movemet. I have two , #1 in a Hamilton Ref 8400 and another in a Hamilton Ref 8800. They work Flawlessly, and Very Accurate.

George Nicols
George Nicols
2 years ago

I would like to use this caliber in a tag heuer 2000 series 1995 chronograph which originally used 251.262. Are they interchangeable?

Bill Cripe
Bill Cripe
2 years ago

I just bought a vintage Beaume & Mercier “S1” with this movement. When hands are reset to the 12:00 position, the sweep second hand is off. How do I “zero” this hand? Also there is a lovely blue/turquoise colored hand that moves ever minute. What is this hand for? Thanks in advance.

Roy Benny
Roy Benny
2 years ago
Reply to  Bill Cripe

Did you read the Resetting the Chronograph Hand to Zero part above? That worked for mine. Can you add a picture of your watch? If the hand moves every minute then it’s probably the minute counter for the stopwatch.

Bill
Bill
2 years ago
Reply to  Roy Benny

I saw it after I posted. Havent had a chance to try. Right after i posted I about cut my finger off cuttin kindling. At the ER now.

Bill Cripe
Bill Cripe
2 years ago
Reply to  Roy Benny

OK back from the ER… Yes zero’d perfectly. Thanks so much.

Stefan G
Stefan G
1 year ago

I bought my Certina DS2 Precidrive Chrono “Green” 8 Years ago and still loving it more than any other of my watches.

First Battery works for 5 1/2 years, so the current battery need to be change in approx 3 years from now. Very precise caliber.

Oh yes: And an eye catcher; the 1/100 hand looks amazing in use.

Raul L.
Raul L.
1 year ago

In the PRECISTA MISSION TIMER PRS-56

trackback
22-250 Remington: A Legal Caliber For Deer Hunting In Minnesota – PrecisionOutdoors
1 year ago

[…] in his tracks, but he will wheel and run away when you fire. A.223 caliber is also plentiful, as is a.251 caliber. This is an area where you should exercise caution. Keep an eye on your brush, shot placement, and […]

George
George
11 months ago

Hello, recently did a battery change. The 1/10 seconds counter just seems stuck at 12 and doesn’t engages all of the other counters and hands are working as intended. Do I need to AC reset the movement? Is there such a thing on this? If so how do I do it?

Steve
Steve
4 months ago

Just an update for you on the different 2 letter cades.
AA= PowerDrive / PreciDrive with 1/100 seconds counter
AN= PowerDrive with 1/100 seconds counter
BD= PowerDrive / PreciDrive with 1/10 seconds counter
BE= PowerDrive with 1/10 seconds counter
HE= PowerDrive / PreciDrive with 1/10 seconds counter but NO 12 hour counter. (Being phased out)
IE= PowerDrive WITHOUT the 1/10 seconds counter. (Being phased out)

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