The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Looking at purchasing this AVI, I'm new to all this and wanted to run it by the experts. It looks ok to me, except the seller says it's a 1965, and the best I can tell its a 1963, he also says it was issued to the French Army, are there any issue numbers on the watch to verify this?

there is no indication whatsoever these were issued to the French Airforce - unproven rumors claim some AVI were issue to them in the early 1950s, but clearly not in the mid 1960s. 974xxx is 1963.

watch looks quite good, though the lume on the chrono second does not fit the other hands; maybe Renè/Drache will see more ?

Price being sold at is probably optimistically 3x value.

What value would you put on it? My uneducated guess was around $2500-$2750.

Thanks
Patrick

Others would know better than me but I think you are probably still on the high side.

buddman & patrickcarter, may I order a dozen ? hell, I'll take two dozen at a third of the listed price, even two dozen at that $2,500 estimate for an AVI in this condition.

where does this "uneducated guess" come from, it translates into a range of around €1.8-2.0k, buddman still thinks this is high.

might be a good idea to do SOME research - both before buying watches and before commenting on market prices ?

Fred

The watch is offered or over $6000....

Actually I note my error! I clocked it on a blackberry and actually thought the image was a top time.

My guess is just that, a guess, there are so few of them for sale that it's hard to even determine, and I'm not educated enough, nor been looking long enough to know a historical value. What would you estimate a value of?

I try not to base my guesses on listed prices, $6k + seems high for this watch. I've looked on TZ, Chrono24, eBay, other auction sites, here, etc. maybe I'm just not great at research.

Thanks for all the info so far.

Patrick

To let you guys know, AVI/Co-Pilots are extremely collectable and rare. A beater will draw 3k with ease. This ain't no Navi boys!!!

Wayne

$6,000 isn't unreasonable for this condition in my opinion. I am looking at photos on a phone but see nothing other than the varied like already noted. Very nice piece indeed.

I'm basically just trying to make sure that it's legit. I thought the lume on the seconds hand looked weird, and wanted to see if there was anything else.

Thanks again,

Patrick

Not Dracha quality but ok.

Wayne

Thank you to everyone, keep the comments coming in. I'm looking at this watch and an issued Junghans Fliegerchronograph, both to pass down to my sons one day, so I want something with some history behind it and something they can be proud of. Trying to cover all my bases so I don't get duped.

Thanks
Patrick

well, you could have a look at the chrono24.com listings - steel bezel 765 AVI digital pieces around $15-17k, later enamel (typically cheaper and some incorrect) pieces $6-7k. None currently corresponds 1:1.

These are asking prices, or course, but I've rarely if ever received a discount above 20% when purchasing from Chrono24 traders.

make sure to search for 765 AVI and Co-Pilot, you might want to include the later references 7650 and 7660 too, the 7656 Top Time are not really comparable and are quite a bit cheaper.


as I said above, please show me comparable pieces at $2.5k, I happily buy each and every one of them and give you a generous commission too.