The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello to all. I'm really impressed with the degree of expertise on the site and the help you've managed to give, well done.

I live in the UK in the Norfolk marshes and am very much a novice.

I have an old (used and abused) Navitimer from 1973. which was a 21st bithday present.

I'm still in love with and think it's a beautifully proportioned piece.

I may be alone in this but I don't like the new glitzy (bling?) styles and am searching for a Navitimer Fighters model from around 2005 (I think that's when they were made).

I also need to have some work done on the old Navitimer so any advice on the best place to send it will be most welcome.

I've tried to upoload some shots of the old dear. The stainless strap looks something of a curio, made by "Kevin", but it came with the watch originally.

I've lost all the boxes and papers over the years but a price of around £57.00 rings a bell.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp26 ... Layout.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp26 ... r/Face.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp26 ... r/Back.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp26 ... /Works.jpg

Hope the links work and the shots are of insterest.

Best wishes

Welcome to the forum.
Great Navi you have.

Welcome to the forum, and very nice Navi. Can't help you on where to get the work done in England I'm afraid, but it's definitely well worth getting it done.

If you are in the UK take a look at www.chrono24.com - dealer pricing so no steals, but you see Fighters on there reasonably regularly.

Thanks for the welcome and the info.

I was surfing through ebay tonight (insomniac) and found this Fighter in the States.

To my (very) inexperienced eye it looks genuine.

When you get a moment could you have a look and tell me what you think please?

Also, I'm sure if you can help with this but what are the pitfalls, if any of importing from the States?

I've attempted to post the ebay site and some photo's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0305429591 - ebayphotohosting

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp26 ... /fs121.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp26 ... /fs131.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp26 ... r/fs21.jpg

Best wishes

It is genuine, 100%.

Thanks for that, I've just read the details again and they say they will not ship abroad on that auction.
I'll have to see what I can do?

Enjoy your time here!

Very nice Navitimer you have. Weird bracelet though!

You are not alone in preferring the old style Breitlings to the newer blingy models currently in fashion. To each their own and there's plenty of fans of each type on the forum.

If you are looking for a Fighters Navi, I did a spotters guide which I hope will help.



Also, note that on the case back Messerschmitt Bf109 is engraved as Messersch14177 61109 on the replica.


Not exactly a pitfall but most people don't realise you have to pay import duty of 4% plus VAT at 17.5% plus a handling charge from the courier. Add up to 3% charge by your credit card for foreign currency conversion and you're up to 25%. And with the £ falling 20% in the last 3 months against the US$, it's not as much of a bargain.

As for restoration, this guy has a good reputation and reasonable prices.
http://www.chealwatch.co.uk/priceC.htm

Or look for someone local on BHI
http://www.bhi.co.uk/repairer.html#PREA

We will all be expecting before and after pics

Thanks Sharkmouth, gret info.

Fighterseeker

Glad you found the forum and are getting good advice.

Enjoy the threads and the hunt for your Navi

_________________
Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

_________________
Breitling Super Avenger White, Steel
Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 Black, Ocean Racer
Rolex Submariner Bi-Metal, Yellow Gold/Blue
Panerai 112, Black Leather (Soon Hopefully!)

I can't tell you totally chuffed I am.

After only a couple of days "jnelson3097" got in touch to say he'd been looking at a Fighters for himself and put me in touch with George Mayer at Govberg.

J, many thanks for that unselfish gesture.

The purchase went without hitch, other than my inexperience with buying from the USA, as you are asked to send photo ID and photostats of your credit card.

I checked with my card provider and they assured me it was OK.

I paid $2800 and am just waiting to see what Fedex charge me for the import duty, VAT and admin.

Unfortunately the pilot bracelet is one link too small for my wrist (I had assumed I'd be OK as I've got skinny wrists anyway).

So now I'm looking to purchase a link, has anyone got one to sell or can you suggest the best place to look?

Is there anything I should be aware of or are the links reversible i.e right / left hand?

It looks straightforward enough to fit another link so is this something I can do myself?

Thanks to all who helped me get sorted and looking forward to hearing from you.

All the best

Fighterseeker (better change the name now?)

Sorry folks, here's the photo link.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp26 ... G_0891.jpg

Cheers

F

Ray,
I'm glad you were able to pick up the watch you were looking for. I'm also glad I could help out. Congrats on the watch and wear it in good health.

_________________
Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

Wow, you've already found the watch you were asking about just 20 days ago! It's hard not to find out about the watches that interest you here, the hard part is not wanting to buy them all at once. Welcome to the forum.

_________________
- Nathan
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Breitling Avenger Skyland (Black)