The Breitling Watch Source Forums
https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/

First breitling, help?? Real ot fake
https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=38806
Page 1 of 1

Author:  Optimist888 [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dl ... 7242wt_948

Hi, saw this and won the bid on eBay, it's stated Breitling Windrider Blackbird "original" A13350 as per link above. Is there a way to find out if this is an authentic Breitling, and if so, how to check if it is truly a Limited Edition as stated. All similar model on the web I found says Edition Special, with Blackbird indicated underneath the Breitling logo on the dial. This one does not have the Blackbird stated on the dial. The ad says only 250 pieces made, and the advertised piece is 176/250. Please share urgently. Thank you.

Author:  Driver8 [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is this a Replica?

Optimist888 wrote:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220983533715&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123#ht_7242wt_948

Hi, saw this and won the bid on eBay, it's stated Breitling Windrider Blackbird "original" A13350 as per link above. Is there a way to find out if this is an authentic Breitling, and if so, how to check if it is truly a Limited Edition as stated. All similar model on the web I found says Edition Special, with Blackbird indicated underneath the Breitling logo on the dial. This one does not have the Blackbird stated on the dial. The ad says only 250 pieces made, and the advertised piece is 176/250. Please share urgently. Thank you.

Don't worry, it's real. That one is commonly known as the "Bluebird" ('cause of the dial colour, obviously!) and the Limited Edition one is distinguished from the non-limited edition version by the "Edition Limitee" on the dial vs "Edition Speciale" on the non-limited version. Yours also has the limited edition number engraved on the back, which is all in keeping with the LE. Nice pickup. :thumbsup:

Author:  Optimist888 [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

Driver8, thank you for the info. Appreciate it. Will do an external cleanup n run some test. Hopefully it will keep specs time. Assuming I dont have to send it in for servicing, do u think I paid a fair value for it? Cheers!

Author:  Roffensian [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

Well you went higher than I was prepared to :lol:

Author:  Optimist888 [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

Hmmm... so how much would you pay for it? Frankly, I don't know much about the value of Breitling watches. Bought strictly because I like the overall design. I hope I didn't overpay by much. Anyone know how much it was sold for New in year 2002?

Author:  Sharkmouth [ Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

Quote:
Well you went higher than I was prepared to :lol:
I'm surprised you didn't go higher Roff. I remember you were after one of these a few years ago.

Don't have the list price for the LE Bluebird available but the regular Blackbird was £2,365 on the Pilot bracelet.

Author:  Roffensian [ Wed Apr 04, 2012 4:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

Sharkmouth wrote:
Quote:
Well you went higher than I was prepared to :lol:
I'm surprised you didn't go higher Roff. I remember you were after one of these a few years ago.

Don't have the list price for the LE Bluebird available but the regular Blackbird was £2,365 on the Pilot bracelet.



It's still 'just' a 12+ year old Chronomat. I passed on one that had the UTC a while back for around GBP 2,000 because of the exchange rate / duty / etc. By the time this one got into Canada it would have cost me over $2,700 with shipping, import duty, handling fees and taxes and that's getting up there for a watch with no documented service history - I could easily have been into it for $3,500 by the time it was serviced.

@ the OP, I don't think that you overpaid, especially if you are a US buyer and don't have to deal with duty / taxes / etc - price was fair.

Author:  Optimist888 [ Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

Thanks for the info Roff.

Sorry, I need more help...

1) I noted the date adjuster on my Blue/Blackbird doesn't work when I tried changing the dates on its own. When I turned the crown after pulled it out half-way, I can see the date moving/clicking but just wouldn't switch to the next date. However, if I pull the crown all the way out and cranked the minute/hour hands, the date changed at 12 o'clock mark. I suspect the date adjustment connector is loose. Is this a common problem with Ling, if so, is it easy to fix? Can an AD fix it or do you recommend sending it to the Ling service center? What would be the estimated cost of fixing it?

2) Both the Chrono buttons are not "screwed on" like the crown. Are they supposed to? For it to be 100m water resistant, I thought all buttons must be tightened like the crown.

3) Is there a way I can test the water resistance of the Ling without hurting it? Can an AD test it for me? Ultimately, what's the cost indication if I send it for a test?

4) On the problem of the date adjuster, is it something I can address to the ebay seller? There was no mention of this malfunction in the description.

Thank you ALL for your attention and would appreciate your advise on the above. Cheers!

Author:  Driver8 [ Thu Apr 05, 2012 3:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

Answers in red.
Optimist888 wrote:
Thanks for the info Roff.

Sorry, I need more help...

1) I noted the date adjuster on my Blue/Blackbird doesn't work when I tried changing the dates on its own. When I turned the crown after pulled it out half-way, I can see the date moving/clicking but just wouldn't switch to the next date. However, if I pull the crown all the way out and cranked the minute/hour hands, the date changed at 12 o'clock mark. I suspect the date adjustment connector is loose. Is this a common problem with Ling, if so, is it easy to fix? Can an AD fix it or do you recommend sending it to the Ling service center? What would be the estimated cost of fixing it? It may be that you haven't quite engaged the right "click" on the stem. The quickset date is at the first "click"/position on the stem. If it still doesn't work, then chances are that something's not quite right. The previous owner may have made a quickset date change between 8pm and 3am which can damage the date mechanism cogs. That is a potential issue with ALL mechanical watches if the 8-3 rule isn't followed. Either way, it will be a trip to Breitling to fix, unless your AD is an approved repair agent as well. Cost? Well you'll be best to speak to an AD about that.

2) Both the Chrono buttons are not "screwed on" like the crown. Are they supposed to? For it to be 100m water resistant, I thought all buttons must be tightened like the crown. The push-pieces on this model are not screwed in as it's only a 100m WR watch. Assuming the gaskets have been checked or the watch has been serviced the WR will be fine..

3) Is there a way I can test the water resistance of the Ling without hurting it? Can an AD test it for me? Ultimately, what's the cost indication if I send it for a test? Some AD's and independent watch makers can pressure test a watch for you. They don't use water, so it won't hurt your watch. You'll need to speak to the AD/watchmaker for prices but it won't be a lot. More important thought IMO would be to get the watch serviced if it hasn't been for a while as that watch getting on a bit now. A WR test is included as part of a service at Breitling..

4) On the problem of the date adjuster, is it something I can address to the ebay seller? There was no mention of this malfunction in the description. You can try (if it really is a problem and not just a problem selecting the correct position), but I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope. The seller could easily say it was fine when he sold it, and that you caused the problem. Doesn't hurt to try of course..

Thank you ALL for your attention and would appreciate your advise on the above. Cheers!

Author:  Roffensian [ Thu Apr 05, 2012 4:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

One of the reasons that it went too high for my liking - there is no documented service history and the watch should have had two services by now. My suggestion would be to send it for a full service - hopefully you get away with $600 or so and have a watch that looks like new, has a 1 year warranty, and should be good for another 5 - 7 years.

Other than that Driver8 has answered your questions.

Author:  Optimist888 [ Thu Apr 05, 2012 7:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First breitling, help?? Real ot fake

Thank you guys for the detailed info. I appreciate it very much. Will take it to the Ling service center to have it checked n get a full service done if necessary. Thanks again.

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 8 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/