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Has anyone seen one of these before?
https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=67294
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Author:  damlimey [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 12:59 am ]
Post subject:  Has anyone seen one of these before?

Hi all,

I've seen this watch in an auction, no estimate. It's serial number dates it as 1945, it is an FHF cal 186 movement, recently serviced and working well.

I am struggling to find another example of this watch anywhere on the internet and so I'm calling out to the great and wise in this forum to see if it might be a good buy.

My personal estimate would be in the region of £400. So, allowing for comission etc, I would go to maybe £275-300 for it IF it's the real thing. What holds me back is the movement (not venus) and it's apparent rarity of style for the time.

Thoughts anyone?

Author:  buddman [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 2:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

“Struggling to find another” Means it’s no good 99.9% of the time. Generally we weary of watches that aren’t marked anywhere except the dial, as dials are easily reprinted ( but normally not well)

Author:  WatchFred [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 2:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

looks legit to me

Author:  buddman [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

WatchFred wrote:
looks legit to me


Copper dial? Can we see the caseback?

Author:  damlimey [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

Here's the case back with the serial number and what I assumed was the ref (157) and that's the part that I don't get. It doesn't return anything in a search that isn't a chrono or even remotely of that vintage (1945).

I know that back then, at the end of the war, Breitling were pulling parts in and doing all kinds of things to get products out, which explains the FHF movement, but it is the dial and the fact that it isn't a chrono that gives me the twitch.

Author:  WatchFred [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

case consistent with/ this:
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53779&hilit=157

Author:  buddman [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

In the reference book (Ricter) you put a 7 in front of the 3 digit ret to get 7157. It’s not in there (It’s not fully comprehensive) , but in the 1946 catalog there are reference numbers very close to it and stylistically similar. A Breitling signature on the movement would have been nice. So, might be legit but I’m not convinced with the copper dial.

Image

Author:  damlimey [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

So buddman, it is the copper dial that seems off? Plus the lumed hands I suppose, looking at your picture.

Even with watchfred's useful link and your assertion that it should be referred to as a 7157, I can't find anything even close to it. I don't have a copy of Ricter, if it's only at around £250 and it is real, I'd like to have it but if it's a franken, I don't see the point.

Perhaps I had better stay on the safe side and pass on it, maybe use the money to get a copy of the reference book you mentioned. Is it the Benno Richter History of Breitling or another reference book?

Author:  WatchFred [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

it is legit above reasonable doubt

Author:  damlimey [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

Thank you watchman.

I'm in the hands of the auction now then!

Author:  buddman [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 4:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

damlimey wrote:
So buddman, it is the copper dial that seems off? Plus the lumed hands I suppose, looking at your picture.

Even with watchfred's useful link and your assertion that it should be referred to as a 7157, I can't find anything even close to it. I don't have a copy of Ricter, if it's only at around £250 and it is real, I'd like to have it but if it's a franken, I don't see the point.

Perhaps I had better stay on the safe side and pass on it, maybe use the money to get a copy of the reference book you mentioned. Is it the Benno Richter History of Breitling or another reference book?


Well, it would be a ref 157 but for some reason the Ricter book puts a 7 in front. So, that’s more about finding it in the book compared to finding it on google. Hard to say if lume hands are correct or not without finding another. Fred knows more about these that I do but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a legit copper dial Breitling. Always happy to be educated though.

Author:  buddman [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 4:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

But here you go

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... -251889755

Author:  damlimey [ Sun Jun 28, 2020 6:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Has anyone seen one of these before?

That's close enough. Thank you so much for your time with this buddman, I appreciate it.

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