The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I purchased a Breitling Chronomat Evolution on ebay with MOP diamond dial and bezel for over 50% off MSRP. I was told by the seller it is 100% factory original even though he doesn't state in the ebay description.

I received the watch on Thursday and had 2 major concerns:
1) It did not include the diamond certificate from breitling (it did include the chronometer certificate)
2) The serial # started with a 7 and is only 6 digits in total, 7XXXXX, most of the ones I have seen in the store start with the number 2 and are seven digits not six total.

Below is a link to the item:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MENS-BREITLING-CHRONOMAT-EVOLUTION-MOP-DIAMOND-/270599863836?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3f01023e1c

I took it to two resellers. One thinks its aftermarket the other thinks its original. The authorized brietling dealer wants to charge $80.00 to look at it (some nerve).

Please advice asap so I can return if it is questionable. Below is a photo of the actual watch.

Sincerely,
Jordan

The watch is real, serial numbers are random in modern Breitlings so you can't go by that. The bezel is OEM style, I can't tell from those photos whether it's Breitling or not. If it was first sold in the US then try contacting BUSA and asking them if the serial number matches a diamond bezel watch.

I have deleted the duplicate thread - please don't double post.

Sorry for the duplication. Thank you for the info. I tried calling Breitling USA last week but they were closed. They should reopen on Monday. There is definately a big difference in price between aftermarket bezel and factory original so that is key. Good to know the modern serial # are random.

I read on a site that modern breitling also have the serial as well between the lugs. Is that true or are they confused with older Rolex models?

The serial number isn't between the lugs, it's the week and year of manufacture and a code for the dial colour. It's between the 6 o'clock lugs.

Jordan, if you have the original warranty certificate and the model number shown inside is A1335611/A570 the watch is not an original factory diamond bezel piece. The "11" needs to be a "53" for the piece to have originally been a factory diamond bezel watch. Breitling will provide the diamond certificate for the watch if it is original. The certificate will show a total carat weight of 1.14 and VVS top Wesseltons for the stones.

When you contact Breitling with the serial number from the caseback (below the rectangle with A13356 in it) they will be able to tell you if it was an 11 or 53 appended to the model number when the piece was assembled. Of course as I said earlier, your warranty booklet will corroborate what they tell you.

Unfortunately, I was just looking at my "53" bezel Evo and comparing it to your pic. Notice between each cluster of 3 or 4 diamonds the raised "bar" on my bezel. Yours has a depression instead. Sorry to tell you it is an aftermarket bezel. The diamonds are probably G, color, SI clarity, pretty standard for aftermarket stones. The factory bezel's top Wesseltons are D to E color (near colorless) and VVS (Very, very slightly included) clarity, as close to flawless as you'll see on a timepiece.

Hope this helps...
Best,
Ron

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That is a big disappointment for me since the watch did look beautiful to the naked eye. I was expecting model #A1335653/A570 with MSRP of $14,660. I can't believe a seller on ebay with almost 1200 feedback is passing on aftermarket as original. It is a bit scary!! I am kicking myself since Mayors had some factory original diamond models at 50% off last month and I went with this guy because it was over 60% off and I liked the MOP dial which Mayors didn't have on special. At least he is promising a full refund, lets see how quickly.

Thank you so much helping me. I will keep you updated.

I never realised that the model number was different for the diamond bezel - learn something new every day.

It a shame Breitling does not put the full model number on the case. The seller is still claming it is 100% original but will accept a refund. I am curious what Breitling will say about it when they open on Monday.

Where have you guys found the having the highest discount on breitling watches new or preowned. I have been using ebay since its the only site with 50%+ discount on preowned but I wish I had a more reliable source. Let me know.

50% or more off preowned is normal - bear in mind in many parts of the world you can get 30% or more off of new pieces that are 'normal' seelers, let alone more specialist pieces.

Look at any of the forums or use Elite Deal Seeker to do the work for you - http://www.elitedealseeker.com/index.cg ... ry=watches

Dont know if this makes sense or not but I gotta ask. Even though it now looks as though the bezel has been proven to be after market cant someone have the number of an evo with out an OEM bezel and just order an OEM bezel and and it to an original evo. This in turn would make the number not change but the watch would have an OEM bezel. Obviously not the case here but just a thought?

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Tissot Le Locle

If they did this through Breitling then I would think that Breitling would have a record of it and be able to tell the new owner that. Would Breitling even sell an authentic bezel to a random person, or would it have to go through an authorized AD who is also a Breitling service center, if those exist? I would assume that unless it was done by Breitling they wouldn't recognize it as authentic, even if the parts used are authentic.

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I don't believe that Breitling will do it, but if they did then it would be the same as a dial change - Breitling formally change their records. Watches that have had dial changes have a different dial colour code between the 6 o'clock lugs but the paperwork (at Breitling) is correct.

Breitling certainly won't just sell random OEM bezels, and I don't believe that they will 'upgrade' regular bezel models, but not 100% on that.

Ya wasnt saying that they would just sell a random caller an OEM bezel. My thought was that someone wanted to purchase one from an AD that is a service center where it is put on. I would think that would kind of work just like buying any other accessory. (strap, buckle, etc). If this could happen I wonder if there would have to be some kind of official paperwork change that the AD would have to take care of.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

I'm sure that Breitling won't release OEM bezels to AD.

No wanting to hijack this thread, but I have very similar questions about this watch on ebay right now.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Breitling-Chronomat- ... 1c13fd6694

The way I would work this is seller would have to take this watch for an overhaul at the local AD, and if it comes back good then I have no worries about it.

Questions I have are;
What serial/model numbers should I look for?
Will the local AD be able to confirm for me the if the bezel is original and;
What would be a fair price for this watch?
What other watchouts are there for me?

Thx in advance.
Darren

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Breitling Colt
Breitling Skyland