The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This watch belonged to my father who recently passed away. He had it as long as I can remember, and he left it to my son, who wants to wear it. I've told him only on special occasions, but would still like to know the value. it is a very thin watch, is gold or gold plated, has the number 478768 stamped in the back, has obviously had a new strap attached, the old one was broken, my mom had this fixed some years ago and I enclose a couple of pictures of the front. Questions I have are: Is it real, and what should I put on the value for insurance?

Are there any other numbers on the back or just the serial number?

Ideally would also like photos of inside and outside of the caseback and the movement.

The serial number is very early - 1940 or earlier, but not prepared to call it just yet.

Well my dad was born in 1912, so pre-1940 is quite possible, even likely. I am not very comfortable taking the back off, since I do not see a place to easily lift it, but can say that there are no other markings at all on the back of the watch. Thanks for your time.

Well the watch has to be 1934 or later because this chrono pusher design didn't exist until then. The 3 minute markers on the minutes subdial are generally an indication of a later watch - Breitling show a Chronomat with it in 'The Book' that they date to 1942 which is the earliest that I have seen.

The dial has some design cues from some of the 7xx series chronographs of the 1930s, but the case, and in particular the lugs are dissimilar - those generally have fancier lugs, with these lugs looking more like later 7xx series from the 40s and 50s.

I can't call it based just on the dial.

I will get someone to open the back up for me, and post a picture of the inside. I don't want to damage anything and cannot see an easy way to open this watch up... Thanks for the info so far. I include a picture of the back and side.