The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi everyone,

First time poster here. I own several fine time pieces which I typically purchase from brick and mortar establishments, but I've done some buying online as well. Own a navitimer, j class chrono, a seamaster and 2 speedmasters as well as an iwc gst. all 2nd hand purchases except for one of the omegas. Haven't been burned yet, but you can't be too careful these days. I won an online auction for a very nice, clean supposedly recently serviced chronomat 81.950. Early model, and I'm not sure of the year. No box or papers. seller does have a lot of excellent feedback, but who says you cant slip a fake in with real stuff? Seller claims the "rare jet back" is a sure sign but my research has uncovered nothing. It feels slightly fishy, but it also feels like it might be a great opportunity. I am posting what photos I have and leave it in your capable hands. Also, will breitling authenticate a watch for me at a breitling boutique? Not papers.....like a smile and nod or a frown and shake kinda thing? Anyone have experience in that regard?


Thanks.

we would probably not really classify this as "vintage", but nice and authentic.

First non quartz creation of the Breitling SA located at Grenchen, re- launched by Ernst Schneider after disparition of the original Leon Breitling manufacture , located in Geneva . Chronomat was launched in 1985 . Not vintage but a milestone . Looks authentic.

Fred, thank you for your opinion and input. I think it's pretty nice as well.
Saabreit, thank you very much for the detail, I really appreciate knowing that about the watches history.

Regarding it not being vintage, I know that. I figured late 80's...but I read forum rules prior to posting and it said anything pre 96 goes here unless I read it wrong....

you are most welcome, Isaac (I assume) !

not sure where that 96 is in the forum rules, we normally classify all watches made by the "original" Breitling until the mid 1970s as "vintage", all "Schneider Breitling" as modern, a bit arbitrary, I admit.

Your question about the Breitling Boutiques, the smiles, nods or frowns of authentication: it MIGHT work for some/most of the current models, probably much less for anything older than a decade - and even Breitling in Switzerland is totally clueless when it comes to true vintage pieces; we have seen them authenticate pathetic junk as "authentic and in original condition". Better keep coming here.

As already been said, nice and real.

Fred, thank you again. I will most certainly be frequenting this forum for future breitling acquisitions and input. It's a pretty phenomenal resource and community that you guys put together here.

Now I'm not 100% on etiquette around here so pardon me in advance if this question is tacky or out of place. I paid a thousand bucks(us). Did I rob him, did I get robbed or is that market price?

not really my area of expertise, but from the completed listings on ebay it does seem close to fair value; so a decent deal for both.

and

History of the modern Chronomat is here, including a pic of the original MB-339 case back...
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f39/breitling-chronomat-short-history-part-2-pilots-chronomats-13334.html

_________________

For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
http://f4buz.com/watches/breitling/fakes/fakes.html

I checked completed listings prior to the purchase. They were wildly disparate and the sample size was too small for me to accurately gauge whether it was fair or not. At any rate, thank you again.

Sharkman, that's a great link. Thanks again!! I feel a little cheated though now, having spent all this time loving watches but not knowing the histories behind them. That changes today.

Take care guys.

You didn't overpay it.