The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am new to vintage watches, I am very interested in finding a 1969 Datora 2030 with racing dial.
It seems there is not that many around...

Here is some models for sale but not sure if authentic...

Here are links to watches:

1/
http://www.retrovintagewatch.com/breitl ... watch.html

2/
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Breitling-D ... 815wt_1139

3/
http://www.chrono24.com/en/breitling/ch ... ltIndex=70

Can anyone help me in defining which one is authentic and any other valuable info you may want to share.

Thanks in advance

Adrian

all three seem authentic, although only the one on ebay shows all necessary pics, including correct caseback & movement. case might need a little work, but rest seems ok.

Thank you for you response...

I appreciate it...

Do you have any idea by any chance of the average value of this watch Datora 2030 Black dial?

So Roff won´t have to post the link, see point 2:
http://www.breitlingsource.com/articles_faq.shtml#8

2 of your examples have a price named, am sure this would be negotiable, although both seem to be rather realistic for nice pieces.

Thank you so much.

I am quiet interested by the ebay one http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Breitling-Datora-Valjoux-7734-Watch-Serviced-/120742357239?_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D2%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D1122228920349684371#ht_815wt_1139

But I do not have much time left to make a decision...

The strap is not original although the seller is telling me Robert Askham from the Uk refurbished the watch...it is actually on his blog >> http://www.http://thewatchspotblog.com/?p=2287

But I find it strange that this is not the same strap..I guess the owner must have changed it...

The owner doesnt not have original documents...I would need to try to request a certificate duplicate which I think I can do if I know which country was the watch purchased from...

I live in the US...

The seller says the watch has document regarding remaingin 11 month waranty from Robert Askham, UK...Does that mean he most likely authenticated watch as being an original?

first of all, let me post the correct link to the blog entry:
http://thewatchspotblog.com/?p=2287

I have no idea why you find it strange that the owner has changed the strap, I (and many others here) do this quite frequently, the strap was, of course, not original.

Also you seem surprised the watch has no "original documents" ? This watch was manufactured in 1969, sometimes watches this old come with original documents, but this is rather rare & a nice surprise. "requesting a duplicate" will not help you, the current Breitling corporation only shares the name with the company that manufactured this watch.

The fact that the watch is nice & authentic AND newly serviced by a competent watchmaker who seems to be proud of this particular piece (have not worked with Mr. Askham, but have only heard good things about him) should be enough, you will probably have a very hard time finding something better than this, although I have no idea how high it will go, of course.

Thank you very much, I guess I am a bit skeptical because I am new to this...I have never bought a second hand breitling yet and never bought on ebay.

But your feedback is really helping me understand part of the process... I thank you again.

Please forgive me for the silly questions. I certainly appreciate that you take the time to answer...

In any case you know of anyone with a Datora 2030 Black Dial for sale...Please let me know

You're a star!

Adrian

Adrian, none of your questions was silly, forgive me if I gave you this impression, they only show that you are new to the vintage Breitling love affair and - understandably - very cautious.

You have selected one of the better/best examples of an ebay listing (good feedback seller, good pics,well documented restoration/repair work). I neither know the seller or Mr. Askham personally, but, as far as I can tell, you should not need to worry about the authenticity of this piece.

Datora Racings are quite rare, I would be surprised if a member would want to let it go if he has a nice one.

Seller offers free shipping to the US and paypal payment, which would give you buyer protection if the watch is not as described, so this seems as safe as possible, really. Again, I know no party here personally and can not vouch for anybody/anything, but, as I said, this is as good as it can be, imho.

That eBay example is a very nice piece, and with a service from a watchmaker with a good reputation you should have no problems. Price will likely reflect that, but will still be a bargain relative to some other pieces of this era and you'll have a very wearable piece.

I think the price is very ambitious for this cheap movement. For this price you could buy a real Datora recently.


http://cgi.ebay.de/110573567137?ru=http ... 3D1&_rdc=1

Well that's a subjective decision as to which model someone prefers, but the auction you link to provides nothing but a single photo of the dial and not a very good one at that. A full set of clear photos showing all aspects of the watch would have realised a higher price (assuming that those photos didn't reveal problems).

As it is you have no idea what you are buying.

Thanks very much guys for your feedback. Very helpful!

Indeed the only model I am interested in is the Datora 2030 D created in 1969. I decided this model to be my first vintage watch, more recent Datoras are not as inspiring to me.

I have never done a purchase by ebay and do not understand if the seller is suppose to purchase the shipping insurance and be responsible for package until recipients reception or custom. Or am I the one to purchase shipping insurance?

What about Custom fees in the USA? anyone have info or a link?

So did you win the auction, Adrian, or are we talking theoretically ?

If you won the auction, congrats ! A very nice, excellently documented piece; was tempted, but not enough to drive up the price even more, assuming you would bid for it.

Living in Europe, I have no personal experience importing watches in the US, but I am quite frequently sending watches for restoration to the US and USPS shipments arrive quickly and apparently hasslefree.

I know others here are very, very wary regarding international shipping, but I do that a lot, both with my watch hobby and professionally, and very rarely have problems besides wrongly routed courier shipments, which mean delays of some days, but no real headache.

If we are talking practically and you bought the Datora, seller has listed this with free shipping, so he is responsible that the watch arrives safely and as described to your confirmed paypal address, I assume he will use Royal Dutch Mail Service (very reliable and fast) who deliver through USPS in the USA; you are only responsible for import duties, whatever they are in the US.

Thanks for this link. From it, you can learn a number of things.

1. Herbert Marz won that auction and one of his eBay identities is "time-classicsde." He paid a full retail price for this watch, which seems to have correct dial, at least. He'll list it for a multiple of this, in time. It's interesting that you think the 7730 movement is a "cheap" one. Herbert charges a multiple of this price for it when he lists them in his many auctions. You should ask him why he thinks they are so valuable.

2. Herbert is not that popular: "Unverschämt u. arrogant"; "Will nicht zum erzielten Preis verkaufen, argumentiert mit Manipulation"

3. Herbert still bids on his own eBay auctions.

4. For between euro 40 and euro 200, Herbert will consult with you on your financial future (using the google translation feature for auction 120719230762 Fragen von anderen Mitgliedern: Uhren als Kapitalanlagen Breitling-Heuer-Omega-Minerva):

What is going here for 200, - € offered? - Except your self-expression. 03:05:11

Answer: You will receive a comprehensive personal to your circumstances and objectives tailored advice on classic watches as an investment. It will be shown exactly what you need to consider concrete proposals, which watches are now undervalued, and are completely correct in the future price rockets. 30 years of experience and observation of the market for a mere 200, - €. You will be protected from painful bad buys, and this can bring several hundred thousand euros in profit in the coming years. 99% of watch buyers to buy investment point of view completely nonsensical watches, ask for advice, then you go on the winning side.

The 30 years experience must be in something other than buying and selling watches, since Herbert only splashed onto to scene a few years ago. He surely knows about "nonsensical watches."

5. Herbert likes to use many identities on the internet, but he is pretty transparent in the end.

You mean Schroeder linked to a Herbert / Michael / multiple personality related eBay listing - I am truly shocked , and after working so hard to establish credibility here as well. This seems to be following a familiar path again (although IP addresses are different so I think an 'associate' this time).

I also think that I am in the wrong business.