The Breitling Watch Source Forums

can any one give me a hand to identify this watch? I think it is a 1950's Datora however i'm not too sure about it.

many thanks.


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I'm going to move this to the Vintage forum.

To help me give you an accurate answer, are there any numbers on the caseback?

thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

there are two sets of numbers engraved at the back.

first set: 289 101
second set: 805

thanks again

Hmm.

I need to look into this a bit more - that caseback is wrong - serial number is way out - would have been in the 1910 - 1920 range.

thanks for trying. do let me know if you have anything on the watch.

mean while, i'll continue to look around.

ta.

I still can't find anything, though I have a few other places to check. It definitely ian's an 805 - that's a moonphase, but with the moonphase at 6 o'clock and the day / month at 12 o'clock. Day is a Datora style central hand.

You know where this is headed, but I want to check a few more things first.

...does not always apply to the complications and perhaps due to certain other factors as well (maybe solid gold cases, maybe contract/outsourced cases?).

For example:
Split Seconds:

Full Split Seconds Link
Clearly from the 1960s but with an SN of 761k.

Gold Chronomat :

Full Chronomat Link
From the late 40s/early 50s but with an SN of 672k (might make sense if one is utilizing the non-Chronograph SN table).

18k Rose Gold Valjoux 88, looks ca. 1950s:

Full RG Val. 88 Link
SN of 130k

And my 804, which shows all the signs of early 60s production--round pushers, screw down back...



...and yet has an 833k SN...



...which should be early 50s by the "book."

Sorry for the long post but I have been doing some research on my watch and have begun to detect some anomalies in the accepted Breitling SN chronology that I think are worth sharing.

I would also love to know if there is any other nomenclature on the back of the 805 originally posted aside from the numbers such as: "Antimagnetic," "Shock Protected," etc.
Best,
T.

...such as "Antimagnetic", "Waterproof", "Shock Protected", etc.
Thanks,
T.

I'm aware of the potential serial number anomalies, but I'll be a lot more convinced on this one if you can find an 805 that looks like the OPs.


If you hear hooves, think horses, not zebras!

Rose gold, exotic lug version from AQ with same layout/caliber as the OP's:




It is also possible that Breitling may have done some funny business with recycling reference #s as well, i.e. two similar but non-identical models with the same reference # perhaps separated by a few years of production.

For example, the changes in the Chronomat and Navitimer over the years did not necessarily precipitate new ref. #s. Perhaps similarly, there are Triple Date Moon Chronos with different layouts/calibers and yet they may still be called called "805".

After all, the reference # seems to be associated with this version of 805:

And this one:

(Although this dial does not thrill me... )
So maybe the OPs version as well?
This is just a hypothesis, though...
Best,
T.

The antiquorum one doesn't have a reference number with the listing - they don't claim it's an 805, although it does meet the criteria of the description of the model, except that it's not a Datora.

The placement of Breitling is a lot more what I would expect on the antiquorum piece, and the hands are a lot more consistent.

The other pieces are definitely 805s.

thank you!

i'm total amazed by the information gathered here for one watch. one thing, i can be sure of is that i'm much more wiser than before about my breitlings.

anyhoo, does the watches with reference #805 have some sort of model name (i.e. seamaster, speedmaster, etc)?

thank you again.

When you get a chance can you please tell us if there are any words on the outside of the caseback in addition to the model & serial numbers? A photo would be great as well if possible but a description is nearly as helpful.
Best,
T.

P.S. 805s often have "DATORA" written on the dial.

ta, tomvox1.

let me get back to you on monday as the watch is not with me right now.

speak soon.

Not really. The 805 was part of the Datora range of watches, but didn't have a distinct name itself.