The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello all,

My name is Melvin and this is my first topic on Breitlingsource. I'm 32 years old, I've been in the Royal Dutch Airforce for 12 years and currently I'm a translator with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. My main focus has been and will always be vintage Omegas. My first vintage watch was a 1943 Omega dresswatch with 30T2PC movement. However, I find vintage Breitling very interesting, especially the Cadettes.
Currently, there are a lot of 1355 Cadettes on the Bay from Argentina and other parts of South-America. They seem legit and 1355 is a recognized ref number. Lots of them have the Landeron 523N movement and the Breitling engraving/stamps seem ok (remember I'm a noob).
I generally don't buy anything unless I'm 100% sure. What do you guys think?

Here's an example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Breitling-Cadet ... 7675.l2557

Melvin

That particular watch looks fine to me although I suspect the crown has been changed as it should have a signed 'B' crown for a 1961 model. The book says a 1355 should have central seconds but I wouldn't dismiss it just based on that. The book is often wrong. You have to be very careful acquiring pieces from South America as 90% of them are fake or have been significantly altered or redialed. There are a few genuine pieces that pop up but always do your research before buying.

Thanks for the reply! I chose this example because I couldn't see anything wrong with it. I would look at the dial, it has to be the original one and it has to look it. Also the movement and the engravings should be ok. And of course the ref number and serial number. Any other specs/features you should look for?

Is there any particular reason so many of these watches are being offered from South-America?

Grtz Melvin

really a lot (all of a sudden?)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-BR ... 1343782286

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Big-Bre ... 1188303730

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Beautif ... 1313429064

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-BR ... 1379921085

http://www.ebay.de/itm/at12-BREITLING-G ... 1567368129

I dont trust any of them , what if Richter is right in this case ? and it really should have a central second hand ?

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

and ALL (that show serials) are 1961 (and a dial styles not in line w/ early 60s designs), all dials impeccable.
too good to be true; worryingly good work, but there's a new mass production set up in BA, I think.

So don't trust any of them? What is the correct style of dial for the 60's? Is there anyone with a 100% correct 1355 and how does it compare to these watches on Ebay?
They would have to have stockpiled a lot of correct movements to be able to pull this of in Buenos Aires

Melvin

'correct' movements ?

do we know what the correct movements are ? (Richter doesnt list the movement) , probably a quite generic and readily available movement that they engrave with Breitling ?

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

You're right. I meant correct for the time period. They all have the same Landeron 523N movement and they were certainly being used in the early 60's. Whether they were used by Breitling for these models I don't know.

this one started its life as something else as the original markings have been grounded away



this one has sloppy dial refinishing (painted over the 6)



sloppy dial refinishing , where the last S of swiss is hit with paint





maybe I am just paranoid ?

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

Scratched serial numbers are never a good sign in a movement, and guns Also on the 2nd picture the 12 is placed right on the markers and the "made" of Swiss made is crooked and a lot closer to the markers then "Swiss".

Oh , en welkom Melvin , bijna vergeten

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

Dank je Rene

are you sure those pics are big enough, René ?

some of the dials are sloppy, some good. somebody in BA has invested in some decent stamping tools for the movements and casebacks, we'll see hundreds more. compared to the China 2915s they are nice watches, we'll have many new happy Breitling owners, unsure we should spoil their fun.

Don't burst their bubble It would be so much easier if you just didn't care, right?
I would love to see a real one though. Anyone?

Sorry , just linked to the original ones from my aipad

Edit : fixed size somewhat

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