The Breitling Watch Source Forums

All I saw these two at our local Schwarzchild. The cosmonaute was $2800 and chronograph was $3500. Is this a good buy? This is my first breitling I appreciate everyone’s input. I like the stainless bracelet on the cosmonauts but I wasn’t crazy for the dial.

The cosmonauts was Scott Carpenter limited edition of 1,000 (I think this one was 147 or something)
A12022
1996

I would think the Scott Carpenter limited edition Cosmonaute would be the better buy of the two, and surprised it is cheaper, especially since it is on the bracelet. The other is an Old Navitimer I or II (I can't tell which just from looking at the dial) standard watch, but with the less favoured Arabic hour markers. Personally I like the markers, but am less enamoured with the Valjoux compax layout (6-9-12 vs 3-6-9) of the sub-dials. Do either come with box and papers, and is the seller someone you trust? Will you be comfortable with a purist 24 hour dial?

Here is some more information on the watches:

Scott Carpenter Cosmonaute
http://www.donindiano.net/watches/breitling/cosmonaute/special_editions
http://www.onthedash.com/noteworthy-breitling-cosmonaute-scott-carpenter/

Old Navitimer
https://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_details/Navitimer_367.html
https://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_details/Navitimer_21.html

Thank you very much! This is great info! The second one is navitimer II.
They both come with a box and according to their sale person they have been serviced. I did not ask about the papers. They are an authorized dealer for breitling and Omega and they give 2 years warranty.

https://schwarzschild.com/

I’m ok with the 24hr dial but I’m not crazy for the Arabic numerals. I feel it doesn’t look very professional.

Well, based on those responses, if those are the only two available, I would buy the Cosmonaute.

If you post pictures of the boxes, I can at least tell you if they are period correct for the watch, or just something they grabbed off eBay.

If the box is not original is it still a good buy under $3000? What else should I look for?

Yes, I think so.

Do you mean what other watches should you look for or what else should you look for in that watch?

Well actually both! How much stretch in the bracelet is normal? Do they over stretch like old Rolex jubilees?

Here is another one I’m looking at:
https://www.jomashop.com/breitling-watc ... 1c1a1.html

I’m not seeing that many options sub $4k even on the used market.

Modern Breitling bracelets are pretty good, and have rarely seen excessive stretch as the links are solid and generally use screw pins. In general, they are well regarded. Just make sure with secondhand watches that there are enough links, as additional ones can be complicated to get and expensive.

On other things to look for, just make sure the watches haven’t been too heavily over-polished. The lugs on modern Breitling’s (that is, post-1979) don’t have super sharp facets like the vintage ones, but excessive rounding and polished out case backs are not a good sign.



That one at Jomashop shop is a new style Navitimer with an ETA movement - sort of a modern version of the Old Navitimer. Jomashop are a grey market dealer, so just understand their warranty provisions.

If you are comfortable dealing with other collectors and understand the risks involved, checkout watchrecon.com (or use the app) and you will find quite a few Navitimers/Cosmonautes under US$4000.



eBay can be a good source too sometimes if you can tell a fake from a real one, but they are a bit higher in price due to high selling fees. Also, Chrono24, but again know the risks.

Fantastic! Thanks a bunch!!!

By far this is my favorite from breitling. I like the 3-6-9 configuration for the sub Dials. If I can find one used under $4K I’d go with this otherwise I’d stick to the cosmonaute.

https://www.jomashop.com/breitling-watc ... 1b1a1.html

https://www.chrono24.com/breitling/navi ... 929119.htm

FYI That Cosmo Pilot bracelet from your first post is perfectly interchangeable with Old Navi.
You can check it on the end links, they say OLD NAV/COSMO.

So I called one of the reputable online grey dealers this morning and they had the watch in stock. I was rather surprised. The watch was listed for $5,100. I tried a 10% off coupon and to my surprise it worked. I scored the watch for $4,600! Did I do alright?
Does breitling service/repair grey market watches?

https://www.breitling.com/us-en/watches ... 21211B1A1/

Given that MSRP is $9250, $4600 is a good price for a new watch - although probably without a factory warranty. That said, perhaps the seller offers their own warranty.



They will, but that's likely a few years down the track.