The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Good morning!

One of my Breitlings was purchased through a TV auction and the papers do not mention the age of it. I'm not sure if I'm in the wrong section f the website because I've seen that this watch was manufactured from 1995-2001. However, you might be the specialists about age, so, I'm here.

The watch is a Colt A57035. Please, find the pictures bellow.

yours is an early one, i think 95,96,97

http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_de ... t_106.html

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

No way to date it exactly, it will be too early for the date code to be stamped between the lugs, but Rene's approximation is accurate.

Thank you guys. The approximation is good enough for me.

Now I need an advice. Maybe it's just a personal matter. I sent the watch (from the pictures above) to an authorized service center to replace batteries. They don't want to perform a maintanance service on it. They told me that in this case, it needs a complete overhaul which is much more expensive, because they not only put it to work but also polish the watch and replace the bracelet. This is where my doubt lies.
This is an old model. That's the only fun of it. They don't have this bracelet anymore and it would have to be replaced by a new version (also brown leather, but smooth). What do you think? I don't think that it would make it less original because they are all OEM parts, but it's not how it was released almost 20 years ago.
Should I go for the overhaul pr just ask someone to open it in hte city to replace the battery? (once they are refusing to do a maintenance service only).

Thanl you a lot!

I'm no expert, but think they will preform the maintenance and NOT polish it, if you direct them not to do so. They are most likely advising you to have the polish and strap replaced because it makes them the most $$$. If you like it as is keep it that way. Personally, I'd keep that original strap and not let them keep it giving you a new one. You can always buy a new style strap at a dealer and still have your old one for the correct, period look.

Case refinishing and strap replacement are always optional so just turn them down if you don't want them. You can also get exactly the strap that you want by using one of the aftermarket suppliers.

They told me that the strap and polishment are not included in the price. They are giving me as a "gift". The extra charge is only for the overhaul instead of the maintenance service, which I think would work just fine in this case. However, they are refusing to do the service that I want. Instead, they want to make whatever the horologist determined that should be done. They gave me some discount and I'm going to do it, once they told me that I'll have a new strap but I'll also keep the old one. The problem is that now I'm afraid that every time I need a new battery I'll have to pay for all of these parts that didn't really have to be replaced. I believe that I'll have any other horologist to do it the next time instead of Breitling. C'est la vie.

You need Breitling service because they are the only ones with parts access. Case refinishing is part of the additional cost of an overhaul.

I'm here again to say that I sent it for complete overhaul at Breitling RJ, Brazil and I'm totally happy with it. They replaced even the watch hands that were not shiny anymore. They polished it and gave it back the original look. I asked them to keep the original strap but they sent me a new one along anyways. Here are the pictures:

Wow, looks good