The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello Everyone,

I have owned a Cosmonaute for years and never really knew much about it. It was given to me by a friend in Key Largo. He did not have the bands or anything else for that matter. I have never serviced this watch and in years past made a few attempts at getting bands, but was never succesful.

Anyway here are two pictures that are not very good, but I wanted to try to post pictures.

If this works I will take some better pictures and post them.

Thanks

Ouch!!

That guy needs some TLC. He's 41 years old now and looks like some pretty heavy living in those years. He's lost one of his hands and had a bad replacement job done, but there may still be some hope.

Forgive my ignorance, I am a newbie. What do you mean by lost a hand ?

The hand on the dial at the 6 o'clock position isn't original - it should be the same as the hands on the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock dials.

Thats just a shadow, I am honing my closeup photography skills this weekend so that I can post some proper pictures on Monday.

I am surprised to find out that it is 41 years old, it looks much better than the pictures. The glow at the ends of the hands still glow. Wow

Oh OK



Serial number dates to 1967. I'll reserve a detailed analysis until I see the better pictures - but the crystal looks in pretty bad shape, and I guarantee the movement needs attention.

Thank you for your comments. I know I am a newbie, but I have visited this site before and I know you are THE expert in this forum. Hopefully I will be able to post better pictures on monday.

Armando
Southwest Ranches FL USA

Well thank you

But, Paul (vintage) is the true expert - I just try and keep things ticking over until he can stop by and correct me

Wow, a new crystal will do wonders for this one!

Paul

Nice watch!!!

Look if Your camera has a "macro" mode, then You will get better focus in the pic!

Thanks for sharing Your watch

I think these pics are a little better. I am still having a hard time with my camera. The watch does have some pitting on the band arms.




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I'm away from home for the next couple of days, but will try and find a few minutes to review, if not will take a proper look tomorrow evening.

Ooh, missed the 36 in the first pic!!

The 809-36 reference means that the watch is (or at least should be) fitted with a Valjoux 7736 movement - pretty rare (but not really any more valuable).

The subdial hands look wrong to me - I would expect mid 60s hands to be shorter than that, I have seen Cosmos with hands that reach almost to the edge of the subdial, but usually on later watches - mid to late 70s. I think that these were probably replaced during servicing.

I'm drawing conclusions based on the pics, but it looks like the dial could do with a good clean, and probably a re-lume, and the case needs some work to address the pitting that you mentioned. It also needs a crystal, and based on what you have said about the recent history, but after that you will have a very nice piece.

Thank you very much. I have not decided whether to keep it or sell it yet. I know from previous post that it should cost anywhere from $ 500.00 to $ 600.00 for a complete service plus the cost of new bands. What do you think it is worth as is ?

If you assume restoration of the dial, and replacement of the crystal you may be closer to $1,000 for a full work up. In this case I think it's probably worth it to exapnd appeal, value in this condition is tough but I would guess close to $2,000.

The 7736 is a less appealing movement, even though it's rarer.