The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have a couple of people who have never said no to working on a watch, but this one's different. If I buy an 806 and a piece is damaged beyond repair then it can be replaced easily, if one of these pieces is damaged it has to be fabricated. That in itself isn't the end of the world, but what is putting people off is that this watch is in original condition, and is priced accordingly.

The people I work with aren't prepared to risk damaging 400 year old parts just disassembling - sure they can fabricate a replacement, but then it's not an original piece. There is also the issue that I don't have a very large pocketwatch collection yet, so most of the contacts that I have are wristwatch experts.

@mah - if you do know of someone I would defintiely be interested - as I say, I'm not going to buy without knowing how to handle it. There would have been a cover for the dial originally - the hinge likely broke causing the cover to be lost - no real surprise, and the glass would have been useless by now anyway. Given that this would be a showpiece rather than a portable I can live with that.

@altair - there are a lot of very nice pocket watches available for sensible money - sure if you want a gold minute repeater you are going to pay, but you can get a fully restored, fully documented 1870s PP for around $6,000 and Zenith, IWC, etc are less than that.

What do you suppose the "1330" as engraved on the movement, represents?

PS my wife sends her approval and said you should buy it!

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

My thanks to your wife!

The number is the serial number of the piece.

You're right, Roff: you've completely gone 'round the bend.

Steve

I spent some time on the phone with my father going through his watch books. I have a couple pocket watche books too and this is what we found out. We couldn't find the exact watch. During that time period the alarm watches looked like the one you are looking at. It is correct as far as that goes. The money seems OK they range from 5000.00 to 25000.00 depanding on their condition. I did see one with a similar movement and it was priced 5000.00 to 13000.00 being the mint price. I am forwarding the link to Gaylan the guy I spoke of in Nogalas. When I takled to his wife he was not feeling to well so I didn't get to talk to him. I am not sure but I think he may be retired. He can help you with ID an referance to someone that can do the work. His contact info is 520-287-2585, g.gudenkuf@hotmail.com" target="_blank I will let you know when I here from him.

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Rolex 42mm Explorer
IWC Ingenieur

A few others too.

Thank you very much mah!!!

I have a couple of other contacts that I am in touch with as well - we shall see...........

Nice find Roffensian!

I don't think at all you've lost it - I've had a few pocket watches myself, not this old but some with nice minute repeater complications and similar. My oldest one would be one from early 1700. As you already know, be very careful/cautious when buying old pocketwatches. If you think there's many franken vintage Breitlings, that's still nothing compared to the numbers of claimed antique pocketwatches.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Just an update on this.

I've decided not to buy it, but I am a lot more educated thanks to members here.

We all know that this community is an awesome place, it's one of the reasons why we all keep coming back, and this piece obviously resonated with people. I got some great contacts and great advice from a number of members and the consensus is that there are better, cheaper pieces available - a very big thank you to all.

I am rapidly becoming a watch geek - I fully intend to learn watch maintenance and repair when I have the time, and I think that my collection of watch related items is going to expand in many different directions in different years - not collectibles (sorry, I really don't get that - although I'll take the freebies), but movements, watches, maybe vintage tools, vintage manuals etc. These very early watches really call to me and after stumbling across this one on Chrono24 I have now gone out of my way to learn more about what's available, and where I can find trusted sources.

I know that I don't tend to talk too much about some of my older pieces on here, but you might be hearing more about my search for some of these 17th and 18th century pieces.