The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This is a 1970 Breitling 1809 Cosmonaute that I purchased from Mark Heist about 15 years ago. Overall very good condition. Mark did a complete overhaul on this watch a few months ago, and at Mark's recommendation I also had him install a NOS dial (NOTE: this is a factory original dial, it is NOT a re-lume or cleaned up dial, and it has never been mounted on a watch before) that is absolutely clean and stunning in its detail. This dial is really the best of possibilities, since the dial is from the same manufacture period as the rest of the watch the tritium has aged to a mellow color, but the dial was never subjected to the moisture often affecting this model's case that usually gives the tritium markers a dull grayish cast. If you take a look at other 1809s for sale around the web the comparison speaks for itself. The case is clean, it does not have any significant scratches or dings, just the reasonable wear you would expect, such as on the turning bezel. This is a unique Breitling model in that it is a true 24-hour movement that is based upon the famous automatic chronograph movement developed by Breitling/Heuer/Buren in a race with Zenith. It is a big watch, but wears very comfortably because of the lugs shape and width. The numbers on the back are visible, just hard for me to photograph. If you are looking for a Breitling that you won't see every day, and that is part of the company's best tool watch history, this 24 hour variant of the Navitimer will make you very happy. A summary of the recent overhaul work is below, if you are not familiar with Mark Heist, he is the premier repair/restoration expert on vintage Breitling models and he can be counted on to provide quality work - in fact the New York Breitling Boutique told me when I first brought this watch in for service to them that they simply would send it to Mark, so I did it myself instead in order to ensure that I could sell it with confidence in its condition. I can provide a pdf of the invoice from Mark covering this work:
Complete disassembly, clean, oil & adjust movement $500.00; Refinish movement as needed for rust, damage, wear $0.00;Coupling Wheel, rejeweling $35.00; Surface Treatment of movement; All chronograph adjustments $5.00 Clean case; Polish crystal; Gaskets; Case plug $50.00; 2nd wheel (could not refinish) $44.00; 2 Pushbuttons $90.00; Ratchet Drive Wheel $38.00; Sub Total: $807.00
Additional item: new old stock dial, by exchange $260.00.
Also included is a perfect condition Navitimer/Cosmonaute catalog from 1970, it's what is underneath the watch in the photos. Please let me know if you have any questions. PayPal preferred, shipping to a confirmed address only. I've never sold here, but have lots of positive feedback on the major auction site under "mkmcconnell". Thanks.