As I'm sure you know, the internet can be a minefield to the unwary. Research, research, research and getting to know your desired purchase is the absolute key.
The information you stated is an excellent start, and once you get some decent quality pics, post them up here and we can have a look at them. (Some of the guys on here are super-observant, and have been known to pick up on tiny giveaways on the very best fakes).
If a seller will give you the serial number you can check it with Breitling although this is of limited use as the database they have doesn't appear to be global. However, it should pick up on any known fake serials, and will also show if it has even been in to them for a service - i.e. if it has any history with them. However, as your potential vendor is in the States then it won't have any history in the UK anyway. It may highlight it was stolen from source, but NOT if it's been stolen from it's owner as it's not an all emcompassing database.
As always "buy the seller" in the first instance. If you are going via eBay, look for the usual things - lots of good feedback on high priced items, and preferably watches, as even someone with great feedback for selling cars for example may know sod all about watches and may be inadvertantly selling a fake.
Rather than buying second hand, another option may be to purchase brand new from an on-line vendor such as interwatches.com, prestigetime.com, etc.
In terms of importing into the UK, if you buy from a private individual, you probably wouldn't get stitched up for import duty and tax as they will probably send it as a gift. (By law they should still quote the exact value, but lots of people don't) If you buy from an on-line vendor, then 9 times out of 10 they WILL quote the exact value and the tax man will then more than likely take VAT in addition to import duty, which can add up to approx 20% in total. Something to factor in.
Hope this helps.
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