The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can help me identify an old watch as i'm interested to understand more about it. I have found a number of similar looking watches (mainly in terms of the case style), but nothing so far that matches both the case style and the watch face.

I'd be very interested in any of your thoughts.

-Antony





Full resolution images here

Would like to see the movement. Case looks OK, dial looks redone.

logo seems to be the same we saw on some of the Canada Airforce pieces that had been "branded" on the dials ? Very unsure it was a script logo ever used by Breitling themselves ? Would expect a reference number on an early 40s piece.

Agreed.

Model reference would be usual, but serial number appears to be a Breitling font, and other markings appear consistent (?)

Unfortunately i don't have a photograph of the movement and dont know how to safely remove the rear case (and dont want to do any damage trying to do that). My father remembers that the movement does have a number of what look like jewels in it, along with some reasonably intricate engraving (i'm guessing this doesn't really help identify without a photo though ).

Having spent some time looking through images on the internet today my father thinks the movement may have looked similar to this (however he hasnt seen it for a number of years now) :-



In the past it's been serviced by a professional who confirmed it was an authentic breitling watch (including the movement) but who couldn't identify what model.

Apparently quite some time ago the buttons were replaced (one was missing and the other damaged). The original ones looked different, they were a silver inner core surrounded by a rose gold band (so two tone) rather than the solid gold plated buttons visible today.

The movement in your watch would most likely by a Venus cal 175. The movement picture you posted is a cal 179 split second movement and not the one in your watch. If the movement is not signed and there is no reference number its most likely a fake. Dial is a poor refinish.

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S. Craig Bergsma

The OP's watch doesn't have the extra button pusher on the crown either, so it can't possibly have that movement.

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

Not to mention a missing chrono seconds hand. The Breitling on that movement is also a more recent addition!

The watch has been in my family since at least 1955, and quite possibly longer than that. Here's a picture of the movement.

Are there any marks on the inside of the caseback or the movement - I can't really tell from the photo?

Here's a better shot of the movement / rear case . I don't see anything stamped / engraved onto the inside of the case, should i? Equally there's not much visible on the movement other than what looks like some form of calibration gauge. I know there was some work done on the watch in the last 10 years in order to get it back to working order (i believe one of the cog's was replaced.)

The unmarked movement doesn't bother me too much, the lack of a reference number is odd, but good news that there is nothing wronf stamped in the caseback.

I find it altogether odd, dial isn't close to original, but no one has tried to do anything with the rest of it to make it more Breitling like. I tend to think that it's an original piece with a poor redial, but see what others say as well.

the master watchmaker no. 353 (Hallmark) is not one (yet) I associate with Breitling

Stila SA used by several other brands but afaik not by Breitling

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