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Chronomat Royal Hong Kong Airforce
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Author:  wessa [ Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:10 am ]
Post subject:  Chronomat Royal Hong Kong Airforce
Dear experts,

I am looking at buying this LE piece from an online seller and my interest in this particular model is driven simply by the fact that I have seen the handover of Hong Kong first hand and HK has played an important part in my life as I have been living in HK since Apr 1997, got married in HK, my two lovely girls were born in HK, etc... (last few months temporarily relocated to Taipei).
Anyway having had some dialogue with the seller and having been presented with a fairly convincing proof of ownership I have little doubt about the authenticity of this watch.
What I do find curious however is how Breitling handled the serial numbers on their watches back in '97.
Looking at the attached image of the actual watch for sale (reproduced here with the seller's permission) I can see the Limited Edition release number but I can not see the actual movement number. Did Breitling not stamp these on the back cases in those days?
Incidentally I have seen a couple photos of other ones on the internet exactly like this, LE release number but no serial number.
Any information sharing on this grey area for me would be greatly apreciated.
BR//Wessa.

Attachment:
hkraf.JPG


For completeness, here is also the watch's front shot:

Attachment:
hkraf2.JPG
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chronomat Royal Hong Kong Airforce
Definitely real.

I believe that the serials were originally there, but much more faintly engraved so more easily polished / worn off or harder to see in pictures.
Author:  wessa [ Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chronomat Royal Hong Kong Airforce
Thanks for the promt response.
Does that mean that Breitling would refuse to one like this in for a service?

Regards//Wessa
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chronomat Royal Hong Kong Airforce
Depends.

When this was sold new the grey market routinely polished off serial numbers, that's a problem. However, if it's just worn off then no big deal. The best safeguard will be original paperwork including a warranty book with AD stamp.
Author:  wessa [ Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chronomat Royal Hong Kong Airforce
Roffensian wrote:
Depends.

When this was sold new the grey market routinely polished off serial numbers, that's a problem. However, if it's just worn off then no big deal. The best safeguard will be original paperwork including a warranty book with AD stamp.


Hmm... That is a problem. Original paperwork is also missing with this sale.
Normally I would not entertain such an incomplete combination for one second. A stamped waranty is a must.
This LE however has a special meaning for me. Hong Kong has played a significant part in my life as I have lived there for 15 years and I was there back in 1997 when the British Administration handed it over to the Chinese. Man, it was pissing down with rain that night!!!
It would be nice to add a Breitling piece to my collection that commemorates this event. I was not even aware until this afternoon that this LE exists but than again back in '97 I was not even aware that Breitling existed :-)
At the same time the "Fei Gao" would have been even better choice but these are just too dear for what is just a Chronomat after all.
At the same time, all my Breitlings have been serviced by Breitling only and I would not want to have a "black sheep in the family" if you know what I mean ;-)
Oh well, I guess I will have to sleep on this one and give it some more thoughts.

Thanks for your feedback

Wessa
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Chronomat Royal Hong Kong Airforce
Fei Gaos and HKAFs come up regularly so you don't have to get this one.
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