The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi All, I am a newbie to vintage watches and watches in general, but do love good watches, I currently own and use a Breitling Hercules and a Rolex GMT Master II, both of which I really like. Am in the process of finding a good deal on a Breitling Super Avenger, hope to get it soon. Besides that, I am an avid Zippo (new and vintage) collector.

Here is my question, I recently aquired a 1946 Breitling, Rose Gold. Would really appreciate it if someone could give me some info on it. The watch is in overall ok shape, glass has some minor scratches. Do you recommend replacing the glass or leaving it the way it is, is it even available (replacement glass/crystal)? Is there an approximate value or the watch, tried finding it online, but didn't have much luck finding this model for sale/sold. Not sure if I will be keeping it or selling to but the Super Avenger I wanted for a while. Sorry for the bad pictures.

Thanks much in advance,

Henry

178 is a fairly common model, Venus 170 powered, in this condition, and with current gold prices it is probably around $1,200 - $1,500 if the movement is original.

We have a member here, chronodeco (Craig) who may be able to assist with servicing / restoration and can source a new crystal for you - these plastic ones are consumables so no reason not to replace. That said, if you are going to sell you may not get servicing costs back.

Thanks much for your quick reply, will take to a local shop to open it up and take a pic of the mechanism, is it easy to open, should I give it a shot?

It's easy to open, and easy to scratch the movement when you open it - without a case opener just take it to the shop

Very nice~!

I would replace the glass as well... they're dime a dozen (at least for models like this) and it'll spruce up the piece really nice...

_________________
"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Where do I get the glass (or is it really plastic in this model? I thought plastic was not that popular during those years), I doubt the local watch master will have one. Hoping to stop by today or tomorrow so he could open it for me, will take some pics.

Thanks much again for the help guys!

Watch supply houses have them, watchmakers won't sell them to you as they want to do the work themselves. Craig / chronodeco put one on my gold 1946.

Just came back from the shop, asked him to open it up and tell me what he thinks. He said he recommends to have the watch overhauled and needs a new main spring, he was recommended to me, but still have doubts in his prices, for the overhaul he wants around $300, and he said he will call me with a price for the spring, he said that the glass/plastic can be buffed as the scratches are not deep. Does he sound right, I think the price is a bit high, please advise. Posting pictures as promised.

Price is a little high for just a service, although not ridiculously so. The watch looks dirty, but not awful, mainspring should be replaced as a matter of course anyway. Movement looks right and complete. Polywatch might bring the crystal back, but a replacement isn't that expensive.

I would certainly PM chronodeco and see what Craig has to say - his work is highly recommended around here and it won't cost you anything to ask.

Thanks much, gotta figure out how to use the forum a little better

I think I might just end up selling or trading it after all as I don't want to put too much money into it, don't know if it's better to sell it after service or sell it the way it is and let the new owner service it, oh well maybe i'll just end up keeping it (tough decisions in life!).

General rule of thumb is that the watch won't be worth the extra money that you have to spend to service it.

That's not necessarily the case with vintage pieces, especially when a treated / replaced crystal and some case TLC can make it look all sparkly for the photos

There is also the risk that during servicing there are other problems found - especially in a watch with no known history for decades - that could end up costing you more, but will also cause potential buyers to drop their offers.

True, same goes with vintage Zippos, though, if I do clean it up for pictures to make it look better, I do like to be honest and say at least what I know about it, sometimes reputation is worth more than a bit of money Though you said that's a common model, I still am having trouble finding recent sales online for the same items in google or ebay completed/new auctions, all the ones I see have the registers horizontal and mine are vertical (sorry if I use the wrong wording)

Common is relative - real Breitlings of this age are uncommon to start with, especially given the propensity for the South Americans to fake them (yours looks OK - the bridge is the only area of potential concern, but I think that the engraving is original).

Searching for these is also difficult because you come up with all of the Venus 178 powered Breitlings with three registers at 3, 6 and 9. Ironically the model 178 didn't have a Venus 178, it had a 170.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what's a "bridge"? I know for a fact that the watch came from the original owner's son, which had it stored in his safe since 1963, so if something was replaced in it or repaired, it was before 1963

The thing with the Breitling on it - it's common to take non Breitling movements and engrave Breitling on them to try and increase value. I'm glad that I said it looked right as you have provenance