The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I just joined the forum yesterday. I have just received back from the watchmaker my 1191 Breitling Chronograph and he did a beautiful job on it. This watch was in a cardboard box of old watches that my mother was going to toss out if none of us guys wanted them. I chose this one on a whim with the idea I'd use it as a "bang-around" watch to save my Citizen from getting beat up. Out of the three working watches in the box I remembered my father wearing this one all the time so it also had a sentimental appeal.

When my son saw it he had a fit and told me it was worth a lot of money and should be cared for. So... I took it into a watchmaker and asked if it was worth cleaning up and restoring. He said it was so.... $400.00 and 5 months later I have it back and it works beautifully. It no longer feels sticky to wind, the crystal is clear and it runs perfectly.

The embarrassing part was when I paid for it and the old fellow actually thanked me for allowing him to work on the watch! The other customers browsing watches were staring as he went over the workings and insisted on a properly matched leather band instead of the nylon one I was looking for.

Anyhow, he said it took that long to get the proper parts and that it was a vintage 1940's Breitling and very collectable.

I do not intend to ever sell this, it will go to one of my sons when I pass but.... I am interested in knowing what a watch like this is worth. Ballpark...just for interest sake.

Needless to say I wear this regularly. It really is a comfortable and beautiful piece.

Welcome to BreitlingSource.

A period correct 1191 will be from the 1960s, not the 1940s - if you have a serial number that will help. I assume that it has subdials at 3 and 9 with 9 being the running seconds and 3 being a 45 minute chronograph counter?

I've seen versions of these with Valjoux and Venus movements so would need to see the movement to be sure, value will be in the $1,000 range.

Thanks! I assume then that he meant it's age was over 40. He has quite a german/austrian accent...

Yes it has the face you describe, and he assured me the workings were authentic.

Enjoy your time here!

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