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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 10:48 am 
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Hello! First, I'd like to ask forgiveness in advance, as I am new to the world of Breitling and high-end watches in general. I will probably ask some questions that have been posed numerous times, but I am having trouble finding the answers I need just by searching these forums.

My husband inherited a watch from his uncle, who died unexpectedly and prematurely after finding out he had a type of bone marrow cancer. His uncle was a pilot, and a wonderful man. The watch has been stored in my mother-in-law's safety deposit box for years. I asked her to retrieve it for me so I could look in to getting it in working order for my husband.

I have what appears to be all of the associated paperwork/documents that came with the watch. On the face of the watch, it says "Breitling Navitimer" but the enclosed booklet says "Aerospace". There is also a booklet that has what looks similar to a passport that has the maintenance documented, as well as an identification number: 1310146809; a Breitling Ref. number that is handwritten and says: F. 80360; and finally a Case Nr. of: 18493.

Now, for the questions. It is not in working order. I am clueless in regards to the mechanics of watches. Is this able to be fixed? Is it worth getting it fixed? The watch has such sentimental value, we would be willing to put forth some money in repairs, but probably not the cost of a brand new watch.

Any advice and/or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Here are some photos of the watch (Click for the larger version):

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:01 am 
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Welcome to BreitlingSource and sorry to hear about your husband's uncle.

The watch is a first generation Aerospace from about 85 - 87 and if it's not working it may be as simple as needing a new battery. On the other hand, it is possible that the movement is damaged beyond repair - these early Breitling quartz pieces have started to have problems with the quartz movements and as they are no longer produced Breitling cannot repair / replace them.

I would start by having Breitling assess the watch - an authorised dealer can assist in getting the watch sent to Breitling for assessment. If they can service the watch and replace the battery then they will, if they can't then they will advise accordingly.

If the watch can't be repaired then you still have a few options - other watches used the movement and are fairly readily available on places like eBay so you can buy a 'donor' watch (non Breitling) for a relatively small amount and have a watchmaker swap the movement for you - but let's worry about that when we know what the issue is.

A service will vary in cost depending on what needs doing, but reckon on $400 - $500 if it can be repaired.


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:05 am 
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The watch is 100% real and genuine and in fact is a very early Aerospace, The first generation of Aerospaces did in fact have Navitimer written on the dial but this was changed to aerospace after a short time about a year I think, I would place its value around $400-$600 in a working condition, It may simply need a new battery and if so that would cost less than $100 however of the battery has leaked inside the watch then its simply not worth repairing as it would cost a lot more than the value of the watch. Hope this helps.

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:47 am 
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Thank you both for your responses. They were of great help!

I think I will have to talk with my husband to see what he would like to do. If sending it to Breitling to be serviced will cost us around $400-500, and the watch itself is only worth about that much, I'm not sure if we will do it.

Is it recommended to only have Breitling change the battery? Or is that something I can have done at a local jeweler?


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:57 am 
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unaffected wrote:
Is it recommended to only have Breitling change the battery? Or is that something I can have done at a local jeweler?



I wouldn't take it local for the battery change. The chances are that this watch hasn't been serviced for quite some time and even if it works with a battery change it will need some more TLC.


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 12:09 pm 
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Great, thank you Roff! :santa:


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