The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi vintage experts,

fell in love with this watch and bought an (early 70s ?) Navitimer Chrono-Matic from a very reputable seller in Switzerland, so I am quite optimistic that all is ok, but just to doublecheck:

http://cgi.ebay.at/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... K:MEWNX:IT

As this is my first vintage Navitimer, any advice and information regarding this watch, the movement, care etc. would be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance, WatchFred

Looks like a nice 74 or 75 1806 (can't read the serial number well enough to see whether it is 14330xxx or 14380xxx). Movement looks like a correct caliber 12. It looks like it's had some restoration - the hands look to be replacements (but correct) and the bezel is in very good shape, but the dial lume could use replacing by the looks of it. The back is worn which is common for these, but nothing major wrong that I see - and the price was very good.

In terms of things to know - they can cost a lot to repair if they go wrong because parts are tough to come by! Try not to rely too much on the automatic mechanism for winding - so manual wind off the wrist rather than on a winder, the automatic winding can be fragile and parts are hard to come by. Also assume that any vintage watch has zero water resistance. Other than that - enjoy it.

thank you Roff !

This is exactly why I love this forum, would have put it in my winder(s) and maybe damaged it. No problem with winding it manually to give it a longer life.
Happy I did get a nice one at a reasonable price, as i know myself some more will join it ....

best regards, WatchFred