The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Got dragged out antiquing with the wife and found a vintage Breitling (that"ll teach her) in a little mom and pop shop. I wanted to possibly add it to my young, but growing, collection. Have obviously seen the watch in person (fairly local) and had the dealer take some pictures and forward them to me. Need some help or affirmation from the experts here. It appears to be a 777 and the serial number is worn but can be made out to be ?48812 (Based on some information posted in this forum 648812=1946... Probably not. 748812=1950... First number is tough to make out, but doesn't appear to have been a 7. 848812=1955... This appears to most likely be the number.) The case is 18K Rose Gold, and the cleaned and polished watch appears to be in excellent condition to the point of falling into the "too good to be true" category. The owner assures me the face and hands are all original, but as i said before they are immaculate. My concerns are authenticity, originality, and estimated value. Everything similar on the forum has the designation "Premier" on the face. The dealer is asking more than a pretty penny, but walking in with a stack of cash generally can free up some wiggle room. I don't need the watch, but it is a beauty, and I HATE missing an opportunity. He is also promising a 6 month guarantee to get the watch checked out. I've attached the pictures, so let the discussion begin.

The dial is redone for sure... the script looks heavily "rewritten". but you are right... it is supposed to have Premier on the dial.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

1946 could be appropriate for a 777, but not with a Breitling stamped bridge and a BOW stamped balance cock, so likely later. I've never seen that caseback stamping either, so that may also indicate later. As said, the dial's not original.

a quick wrist shot of my 777. Mine dates from 1947 and it has the Premier on the dial. The Breitling script logo on your pic seems a bit off too. Not totally happy with the caseback, I seem to remember mine is a bit different, but have no pics of it around and the watch is in the bank safe.

Thanks for the attention fellas. As I was doing research yesterday through this forum I did find a picture of the caseback of WatchFred's 777, and it appears to have similar markings as that of the watch in question ("a 777, finally" posted here by WatchFred June 7, 2011) . Included in that particular discussion is a catalog photo from contributor Yaffle showing the 1946 777 without "Premier" on the face.
As I said, the shop owner indicated he believes the watch is from the 1950s, and the serial number APPEARS to be 848812 which would land the watch in 1955 by a couple of charts posted throughout this forum. How does the movement look with regards to that production time period, and are there any examples or literature out there for a 1950s 777 if it does exist.

The game is afoot...

Also concerned about the "MILES PER HOUR" markings on the Tachymetre(?). Obviously limiting the market in which the watch could be sold to the United States in the 1940s and 1950s.

thanks for reminding me I had posted those pics ! Though I see those differences I had remembered when I compare the casebacks, the one you posted seems quite crudely marked, also not sure about the gold hallmark ?

Yours is the style that I am more familiar with Fred, although I am also more familiar with the mid 40s timing.

The OPs is clearly 'wrong' for a 46, but not necessarily for a later one.

I can understand differences in casebacks, and movement marking - BOW is obviously a good indicator and looks right. The one thing that worries me is the different hallmark which I would expect to be fairly consistent from year to year (other than date codes).