The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Good morning to all of you!

Let me first introduce myself: My name is Chris, I'm 21 years old and I live in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I'm very interested in a pre-owned Breitling, and thought well why not register and learn more before I purchase one.

After looking on the internet for a long week, I came to the conclusion that I´m most interested in these models:

-The Vitesse / (Cockpit) GT, ref. numbers B13350 and B13050
Examples: http://goo.gl/qnrr3H and http://goo.gl/SIBV93

-The (Windrider) Crosswind, ref. numbers A13355, A13055, B13355 and B13055
Examples: http://goo.gl/VIg6oc and http://goo.gl/04RO2B

So after all that looking and searching, I only had more and more questions!

When looking at these ads, are the prices fair or is there always room to negotiate?
How is it that the Vitesse/GT with the thicker lines around the subdials are very rare, or does it simply seems that way?
In terms of overall (build)quality and durability, are the 2 examples above (crosswind and vitesse) the same or is there a contrast between the two?
As you may have seen in the examples, I´m a huge fan of the gold details. To my knowledge these are 18K gold plated/brushed. If I´m interested in a model where at some point the gold is a bit fading, would you take take it to a store in order to restore it with 18k gold or look further untill you see a model where the 18k parts are in mint or good condition?

I hope you can help me out a bit in this, I´m feeling kinda naked without a watch these days haha.
Thank you very much in advance, and I hope to learn from you guys.

Welcome to BreitlingSource. I don't do pricing but the FAQs recommend checking completed sales on eBay and dealer asking prices on Chrono24. Whether prices are negotiable will depend on the seller, but generally Chrono24 dealers will expect to negotiate. I wouldn't say that the watches are particularly rare, they are less common now because they weren't long production pieces and in the case of the Chronomate Vitesse, other Chronomat options were more popular when new.

For the gold, the rider tabs on the bezel are gold, the pushers and crown are generally gold filled - a sheet of gold laminated over a steel base. Very early ones were gold plated but that has generally worn off by now. Both watches are powered by ETA movements, and both use the Windrider case design so for durability they are comparable.

Thank you very much for your prompt reply and answers Roffensian! I'll check that on Ebay, and the FAQ on this site.
If you trust a seller at a certain point, would you take the money time and energy to restore those gold parts or simply look for another Chronomat? Or does that depend on the asking price?

Another question that pops in my mind: Based on the info at Chrono24 it looks like the Vitesse/GT is a bit smaller and/or lighter, dia 40.5mm height 14.5mm and the Crosswind is 43.7-44mm and 15-15.3mm. If you would wear a Vitesse/GT does it look notably slimmer/smaller than a Crosswind or is that difference really small compared to each other?

Thanks again!

Gold parts can be replaced during servicing - it would not be a replating / laminating. Size is very personal, is one bigger, sure, does that make a difference, that depends on your wrist and perception.

Thanks again, as for the few Crosswinds with a chronometer: should there be a COSC certificate with the watch or is this integrated in the documents of Breitling itself ?

Like the one below, this is one with the chronometer?

Full resolution: http://www.kleenedelmetalen.nl/wp-conte ... G_2682.jpg

If the watch is COSC certified (3 as the 3rd digit / 4th character of the model name) it should have a COSC certificate.

Replacements can be ordered.

Thanks for all your help Roffensian, I'll be visiting a seller this week to see this one:
http://www.kleenedelmetalen.nl/wp-conte ... G_2682.jpg

Just another question that popped in my mind, when looking at other B13355's it looks like the gold rings around the subdials are thinner and duller compared to most of the other ones? Is this just one of many options that the owner had when buying this, or does it look suspicious?

Designs changed over the years, the watch is real.