The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi All,

I got this in a trade - it's a Blackbird A44359 in a very good condition.

It is very solid and high quality , but there is always the question of authenticity as I got it without the warranty papers.

I have learned about many sup-reps of this model - so I want to be sure.

The most alarming thing is that the bracelet is not the typical faceted/sharp corners known Blackbird version - but it's is like the normail pilot version but done in Matte (with polished sides) with the raised Breitling logo on the clasp - looking inside the bracelet it says 732A

Are you aware of the Blackbird version that comes with this bracelet combination (732A) or should I assume that the original Blackbird Pilot bracelet was switched for this lesser one ?

Here is a link to pictures of the actual BB:

https://picasaweb.google.com/galilia/Br ... directlink

I would appreciate your opinion on this matter

Thanks

Watch is real.

Are you sure that the bracelet isn't 372a? That would be a pilot for a Chronomat Evo which would fit and isn't lesser, just different.

Thanks Roffensian.
Bracelet is indeed 372A... My bad
Was it normal for 2008 Blackbird models to come with this bracelet or was it a replacement for the original one?
Does it lowers the value of the watch? As I know many people are into this model for the unique bracelet.
Last thing... Does this 372A originally comes with matte finish on top and polished on the sides? Much like the BB itself?
Thanks

Someone likely bought the watch on strap and then added the Evo bracelet because it fitted and was available. It's just as valuable as the Blackbird bracelet, may just be less appealing to purists. Originally it was polished.

Wasn't there a version of the 372A bracelet that came in matte for the crosswind special editions?

No, 372a didn't even exist until after the Crosswind was discontinued.

was there a 372A bracelet that came matte finished for the Evo ?

Hi Roffensian,

Just wondering - how could you tell that the watch is real ?

After seeing this youtube video - I cannot tell the difference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKDcTgCnUU4

Hope it's ok to post those links

If not, please accept my apologies

Let me try...
372A is made only polished.
Your watch is real, because it has shorter date window and prolonged 14th,16th,29th,31st and 44th minute, which watch on youtube doesn't.
Links to replica sites are not allowed.

Removed link to rep site
Thanks for explaining about the prolonged 14th,16th,29th,31st and 44th minute markers - Now at last I understand and able to see the difference between the real and the fake versions.

I still can't explain how the 372A bracelet found its way to my BB and how this particular 372A has matte/satin face with polished sides that exactly match the BB look and the BB 362A/369A original bracelet

According to other post on other forum The Blackbird is specified to use the 362A (brushed, non-faceted) bracelet or the 369A (brushed, faceted) Pilot bracelet

On real BB all minutes should be prolonged.
There are fakes with various combinations in prolonged/shortened cardinals.
Easy explanation for the bracelet - someone took 372A and brushed it.

UPDATE: Went to AD and looked at the matte/Satin Blackbird bracelet - year manufacturing 2007 - correct part number is 371A

371A is correct bracelet for it.

To make things clear I contacted Breitling USA and got this official answer:

"372A and 371A are bracelets for the Breitling Blackbird A44359. The bracelet depends on the finish. If the model number is A4435910 this indicates it will take the satin brushed bracelet 371A. If the model number is A4435912 this is stating a polished finish and would take the 372A polished pilot bracelet"

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