The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi, guys, I need your help on this one.

A friend of mine just inherited this watch after his grandfather passed away. There is almost no inscriptions on it except for the following:

Chronometre on the dial
56, 14K, 0.585, METAL 6590 on the inside of the case back.

He provided some pictures which are really bad but having no other choice I am posting them.

Any information on the origin of this piece or its value will be most appreciated.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

All I can tell from that is that it's a Swiss movement. Would need much better pictures to research further.

How's that?

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[Witty signature here]

Well Geneva stripes are a big clue, but the movement layout, especially the plates screams Swiss.

Turn camera setting to "macro" and re-shoot.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Hey Tomcat,

Take and send a couple of the best pics of the lot, especially of the movement, to Dave Berghold at dave@lastwindup.com. He specializes in vintage pocket watch repair and has been in the biz for 30+ years. He's restoring one of my heirloom pocket watches, an Elgin, my mother gave to me a couple years back that had belonged to my Great Grand Father. Dave sent me an email giving me a little info on it which was pretty cool to learn that it was made in 1924, has a 7 jewel movement, and is a size 16. Not sure what the size thing means so I've got to do some research on that, but still exciting to be able to get an old heirloom piece restored that is damn near 100 years old I think.

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US pocket watches had numbered sizes, while Swiss watches were measured in lignes. A 16 is an average size men's pocket watch. 16 is about the most common size, with 18 (one size larger) and 14 (one size smaller) also being common. Women's sizes were lower numbers.

Thanks guys, appreciate your help.

@montexn I'll try Dave when I have better shots

@ Brian I'll try re-shooting following your tip

@Roff Thanks for your first impressions. Does any of the inscriptions mean anything to you?

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

Roff...thanks for the education as usual....your knowledge never ceases to amaze me sir.

Tomcat....let us know what Dave has to say about it....he's capable of restoring watches dating as far back as the 1600's...hell I didn't even know they had watches back then....LOL. If the parts needed repair a piece are not available he can even manufacture them in-house. I am really looking forward to getting my Pocket Watch back from him. I'm not sure if it's really worth anything, but then again that's not the point since it's an old heirloom I won't part with it anyhow. It's just cool to have a working piece of old history I think. If you go to his website you can check out a few of his recent restorations...pretty interesting I thought. I feel very fortunate to have found such a reputable shop and discovering it in my own backyard is a bonus.

Hmm...I wonder who would win a battle of knowledge between Dave and Roff...LOL...now that would be an interesting conversation to over hear.

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The inscriptions may not have anything to do with the watch - cases and watches (movements / dials / hands) were sold separately so you could use the case that you wanted. 14k is obviously 14 carat gold and so is 0.585 (58.5% gold = 14 carat). Can't guess on the others.

Thanks again guys.

@ Montexn The watch was totally restored in the early 90s and it seems in perfectly working order. The restoration was done by a Dave-like guy here in Switzerland but unfortunately, he, too, passed away. That is why I do not have a clue on what he did on the watch. He sure could have helped in finding its origins

I will keep you posted as soon as I can get better picks.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.