1973 Breitling "Referee" Ref. 34-31

Soccer timers occupy a fascinating niche in vintage horology, hailing from an era when mechanical instruments were relied upon for precise, specialized timing functions. Among these, the Breitling Reference 34-31 "Referee" stands out as one of the rarest and most distinctive tool watches of the 1970s.

Beyond its striking retro design, this reference holds two major technical distinctions in Breitling’s history: it features a specialized slow-seconds modified chronograph movement and utilizes a unique modular case design that allows the central module to be detached and used as a pocket watch, making it the only modular timepiece ever produced by Breitling.

Technical Highlights and Complications

Outside of the legendary SuperOcean Ref. 2005, this Soccer Timer is the only watch to feature the modified Valjoux 7731 movement. Rhodium-plated and manually wound with a cam-actuated chronograph mechanism, the movement replaces standard chronograph tracking with a large central paddle hand that rotates just once per hour.

Designed explicitly for timing football matches, the high-visibility red 45-minute track is read using the central square-tipped hand, which advances slowly across the dial. Positioned directly above the 6 o'clock marker, a specialized activity indicator aperture provides real-time status of the chronograph mechanism, displaying solid black when stopped and reset, solid yellow when actively running, and a dual black/yellow mix when paused. Standard running seconds are monitored continuously via the sub-dial at 9 o'clock.

The entire inner section—housing the dial, movement, crystal, and inner case—can be detached from the outer chassis, lugs, and bezel, allowing the watch to function as a tabletop unit or pocket instrument.

Condition:

Overall the watch is in excellent condition.  The frosted steel bezel is in excellent condition with crisp definition. The main glossy stainless steel case remains in immaculate shape, exhibiting only minimal micro-surface wear consistent with careful handling.

The dial and hands are entirely blemish-free, and the factory-applied green luminescent material is fully intact with uniform aging across the indices and hand set. The watch comes fitted to a period-correct, supple black Tropic rubber strap.

Specifications:

Movement: Manual-wind Valjoux Caliber 7731 (Cam-actuated, slow-seconds modification)

Case: Stainless Steel (Modular construction)

Case Diameter: 41mm (Thicknes 13mm); Lug Width: 20mm

Dial: Original multi-color dial with 45-minute halftime register and 6 o'clock activity indicator

Bezel: Frosted stainless steel

Strap: Black Tropic rubber

Documentation and Authenticity: This watch is accompanied by an official digital Breitling Extract from the Archives, verifying its production details including the 1973 date of case manufacture, serial number, reference number 34-31, case material, and movement configuration.