The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello everybody, in 2005 my godfather bought me a new at the time Colt Automatic. The Crown fell off of it and it has been lost sitting in a safety deposit box until a few days ago when my mom found it. I have barely worn it and when i did i was too young to understand what a great watch it was. I will be posting pictures of it when i get it fixed but i have a few questions. Besides needing a replacement crown, how much damage do you think it has taken by sitting unused for 7 years and how much money do you believe it will take to get repaired? Also, it came with the steel bracelet which i really like but i found a picture of almost the same watch online with a blue bracelet and was hoping one of you could tell me what type of bracelet this is so i can order it. Also your general thoughts on the watch. I know that's a lot to ask for thank you all very much!

Welcome aboard.

Sitting idle for 7 years will basically mean that it just needs a full service. One thing though - don't start using it again until it's serviced because as it currently stands the oils inside will have dried up, or almost certainly have pooled away from where they are needed, so by running it you will be causing additional wear that will also need fixing by Breitling. There is a price list on the Breitling website for service costs - somewhere around $250 I believe (but I've not checked recently), or just gve BUSA a call (assuming you are in the US of course) and they'll quote you a price. They can also quote for the crown too if you ask them.

The blue strap in the picture is a Breitling calf leather strap. You will need the 20mm version as that is the width of that Colt's lugs. Not sure of the current US price, but any AD will be able to order one for you.

EDIT - just noticed you said you got this in 2005. If so, then you will most likely have the previous version compared to the one in the picture you posted, as the one above came out in 2006. If you have the previous version, it had a smaller lug width, so you will need an 18mm strap not 20mm. Might be best if you posted us a picture of your actual watch just to be sure.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thank you! Yes i have the earlier version however i showed this picture because of the strap. The only real difference i can see with this one and the one i own is that mine does not have red on the face. Edit: updated with a picture of my watch.

Also, I would love to hear some opinions about this watch as I am relatively naive when it comes to watches but am hoping to remedy that.

Also, after calling BUSA they apparently refuse to give anyone an estimate of an overhaul or repair without the watch being sent in which is pretty annoying.

They dont want to give you a quote because there might be additional damage that you dont know about. That will lead to a pissed off customer when they find out it will cost double what they were quoted over the phone.

Having said that, an overhaul for an automatic non-chrono is $350.
A replacement crown is usually about $50 ($48 based on my last quote from a few months ago).

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-RJ