The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey all

I came across a navi 806 the other day and after putting it under the microscope side by side with a piece that I knew was 100% correct, noticed the sliderule lines were "rounder" than the typical square ones. I already figured the sliderule was replaced due to the "whiteness" of it not matching the patina of the dial, but my question is, is this sliderule the original but drawn over by hand? Why would someone do this? Or is it a sloppy fabrication?

Piece in question on the left. Correct piece on right.

Cheers
Eric

Hi Eric,
Siderule inserts, specially the black and boxed ones, are notoriously hard to find, hence why some remake them or refinish them

That being said , i dont see what you see ? Refinished ones are easy to spot and you dont need a microscope for it , i believe these are both real ?

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

P.s. These are the aftermarket ones

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BREITLING-BEZEL ... 3ce9f04ac0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BREITLI ... 4d25c5d32f

Hand painted ones are typically worse than this

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

I thought so too at first. Notice how the bolder lines on the left are almost rounded (the ones marking the numbers). The ones above 18 and 22 are particularly bad.

On the right, and on every confirmed piece I've compared it to, the lines are clear and crisp rectangles.

On the left they are also inconsistent (some are thicker than others).

Under a loupe it would probably be easier to see but I can't believe the left one is factory correct. I will attach more pics.

The second link you posted, that insert is particularly bad! But same concept. Fat, round lines over the numbers. The one I posted isnt nearly as bad, but I think headed in the same direction. Do you see it????

left is a (relatively good) refinish - is this a Bill Shaine watch ?

Ok, I see what you mean , I just dont want to call it without seeing the whole watchface , resolution isnt high enough and it just might be pixels playing tricks

But Fred has a point as well , if its one of Bill's it might very well be a replacement

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

It's not a Bill Shane watch. Reputable seller But I don't want to say who it is here...

What I don't understand is why someone would go and write on a slide rule? The rest of the watch is pretty good I can't imagine the slide rule would have been horrible.

they VERY often deteriorate much more than the dials, many were exchanged during service - and still are.

Got ya. I have to remind myself that there are many people who want to buy an old watch that looks new as opposed to an old watch that is true.