The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi,

I've always loved the look of vintage chronographs but never had the opportunity to buy one. Recently Ive finally been given that opportunity as I've located a seller near me who is offering a circa 1950s Breitling Sprint (images below)

I've tried researching more about the Breitling Sprint but couldn't find much info on the pieces before the 1960s. What keeps popping up for 1950s chronographs is the Breitling Cadette which looks very similar to this watch so I wonder if Breitling sold Cadette models as Sprint's as well?

The seller looks to be reliable (based on his reviews) and says that the watch is completely original (except for the strap) and is in working condition. Im no expert so just wanted to get the thoughts of people on this forum. What I am not sure about is that the seller mentions the watch to be a cal. 1188 but the case back has 1198 stamped on it. Not sure if this is a cause for concern. I googled 'Breitling 1198' was greeted with a bunch of Top Time's

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated

No, this isn’t right I’m afraid. You don’t ever have to go further than the caseback. It says “ stainless steel back” in French, and then marked “aluminium” as well? Different reference number inside the caseback to the outside...

Thanks buddman. I suspected the caseback was off. What do you think of the rest of the watch?

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I'm not familiar with the model, but to your point when you cant find any the same on google images, that usually means something. The caseback is wrong but to be fair, the stamped number font design looks Breitling-ish in design.

ledger entry says ref. 1196, December 1950, probably a typo during data input, will verify that in the handwritten ledger.

1198 is a correct Cadette range ref. - and some batches are marked “alum” in the ledger, so the case may be an aluminium allow that has been gold plated?

Thanks a lot WatchFred. So there is a chance the watch is completely authentic? Is it correct that Cadette models were also sold as Sprint's back then?

I'm a bit confused now as I've also been told that 'Sprint' is printed on the dial wrong. That it shouldn't be in that location and the printing is not centered. And also that the crown is wrong (given its a different color from the rest of the watch)

I'm not sure what to think at this point . But most of the feedback I'm getting is pointing to this being a fake.

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the crown is a service replacement, like on many, many watches,
the rest is most probably fine.

What do you think the number inside the caseback is?

casemaker model marking, I assume.
would need to research cases by Lang SA to verify, but ....