The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi guys i'm new to the game and looking to open my account with a cadette currently on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWAX:IT

Could you please give me an idea ,1 if it is genuine and ,2 what should i be thinking about paying for it?

Im in my 20s and have just got the watch bug

Thanks guys, Chris

Leave well alone.

You don't have to look any further than the double caseback - Breitling gold cases were thick enough to not need a double back so it's 100% proof that it's wrong.

Most of the screws in the movement have butchered slots,including the dial screws,most likely done when they removed it to scribble Breitling on it.

thanks guys, very much appreciated.


Can anyone recommend a good first Breitling to purchase???

That has to come down to personal choice. Just check in here before committing and we'll try to make sure that you don't get burned.

Just found this on ebay and was wondering what it is, if legit ?? the moon phase got me interested.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

Did Breitling make dress style watches from 50s 60s etc, is there any way of identifying them??
I can only find info on the main models, nav etc.

Is there a source that i can learn from to try to decide which direction to go.

cheers for your help,

Chris

That's a poor effort - it still has the real name (Mervos) on the dial!

The best source for vintage pieces is Benno Richter's book - not perfect by any means but it's the best available. Breitling's own publication - Breitling The Book also has a lot of vintage pieces in it, but not quite so comprehensive. Also, read through the threads here and you'll learn a lot.

Chris,all,bar one of my Breitling collection are ''dress watches'' from the 1950s,so yes ,they are out there and you are doing the right thing by posting the ones you find on to this forum,some of the members here can spot a fake at 100 paces ,and take delight in doing so. My advice therefore is definitely post here BEFORE committing to buy.

Thanks again guys, i have purchased the complete guide to watches, cooksey shugart, but wanted something more specific to breitling,

cheers again, also are there any other sources for vintage watches that are worth buying from other than ebay.
All the fakes make it hard to start out! but i'm determined to get there.

Chris

eBay is the biggest marketplace, there are some vintage pieces on Chrono24, and you do see them coming up on the watch forums as well. Also, look into local sources - in the US check the local NAWCC chapters, look for local auctions, etc.

Chris,

The Complete Guide to Watches is an annual publication that covers a broad range of watches from early antiques to the present day. However, it includes only a few pictures of different brands for reference. Most prices are based on recent auction prices and also transactions between dealers and buyers at regional events. I purchase one every two or three years since I work in the trade. It is a good reference book, but I would never rely on it to verify authenticity of a watch. Several of the watches I own have never appeared in the book.

Good luck in your quest!

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1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

Hi Roff, Are you certain about Breitling never doing a double back case ?

Definitely never on gold, I'm not 100% convinced on SS, but I have never seen one that I was convinced was right.

Hi Roff, Thanks for your reply ,i spoke to my watchmaker today on the subject he is in his fifties and was apprenticed to his dad in there business.He has repaired he thinks something like 200 gold Breitlings and can only remember one solid one .Sometimes memory can play tricks but i cannot believe he has got it so wrong,he is a bright guy do you have any evidence for the solid back theory ? I have to fess up and say i have a double back case which i think is correct, we have discused it before on this forum.Look forward to your imput ,cheers.

Well proving a negative is rather difficult, but every legitimate gold Breitling that I have seen, handled or bought has had a solid caseback. I believe that at least some other members here are of the same opinion.