The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi all,

I am new here. I have, as I 've gotten older, taken an interest in vintage, top of the line watches. My husband's an Omega man and I lean toward Breitling and Ebel. I have one Ebel and this site has really helped with researching Breitling. Our local pawn shop has a couple of Breitling watches but I am not sure the ref. and model numbers are real. Or maybe I don't get how to read them.

This site says reference number is five digits but watch reference number on paperwork is A followed by seven digits. Is that possible? Back of watch has what I think is a model number, B52045. When I look on the web, I can find sites that have the model but have no idea if these sites are legit. And ebay is a crapshoot.

Fake or not? Would love your feedback. And thanks.

One way to spot the fakes is the serial number - a lot are simply 11111 - no imagination there!

"A" refers to a stainless steel piece - "F" = titanium & gold - etc etc. - These are the model number which relate to the model, case & bracelet/strap material, dial colour.

The ser. no. should match the COSC certificate (top right number) if present and also the match the ser. no. in the warranty booklet - back page.

If the watch has a ref number starting with a "B" and the paperwork has a ref number starting with an "A" then something's amiss straight away.

If you can get more info - along with a description of the watches - someone will be able to give a more positive ID.

Photos would help too.

_________________
Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

It appears that you mixed some numbers...
http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_de ... r_123.html
http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_de ... r_178.html

Reference on the papers is longer because it tells you a dial color also.

Thank you for responding so quickly. When I looked up the model number on the back of the watch, B52045, on google, I find this link.

http://www.watches.co.uk/watch.php?aid=2049

This looks like the watch in the shop although the face of this image seems whiter than actual watch. When doing my research on breitlingsource, I have not been able to come across any watches that have a number in the 6, 9, 12 positions as this watch does. Most seem to have tick marks or a number only in the 12 position.

Again the ref. number on the gold Breitling paper begins with an A followed by seven digits. Foolishly, I didn't write it down to share. From what you are saying, the paper ref. no. should match the back of watch model no., correct?

Am I right to say this smells fishy? I appreciate the feedback.

Handbook from 2002 which is too recent to know for sure, Callisto is marked A77346 and Callistino A72345. First two digits mark the caliber, third is usually 0 or 3 which tells us is it COSC (3) or pre COSC (0). On some older watches you can also find No.4 in that place. Last two digits mark the model of the watch. It could be a pre COSC Callistino with the ordinary Quartz 52 caliber, prior to 72 SQ cal. Than it seems that Admin MAYBE mixed some numbers but I can't tell you for sure cos' I don't have a reference source that old. Speaking of lettering, A marks that the watch is SS (stainless steel), not a two tone (TT), which has to be marked with B...
http://www.breitlingsource.com/articles_refnos.shtml

You need to check the watch numbers and the document numbers. They need to watch or otherwise someone has switched papers, not necessarily fish, even the shop could've done that with two. I have asked dealers who can be just as confused.

Anyway, the 5 digit number on the watch, with a letter in front, will be the same as the paperwork which just has more info in number.

You mention B52045, that would be a two tone watch, gold markers at the hour, gold knob on case. You mention A in the next post. That would be an all Stainless Steel watch-bezel markers, etc. So until you have accurate A or B, or can rule out based on this, you need to know.

Another way to validate is all Pilot bracelets should have numbers engraved in the bottom middle link of bracelet by back. There are two sets of numbers, not sure of what the one that contains letter means, but the 4 digit number in the middle tells you when the bracelet was made. If not there, not good. If there, gives you the week and year in was made - 1098 would mean 10th week of 1998.

As far as the white face picture and the watch, I have a mother of pearl, looks white in pictures, looks gorgeous in person, pics do no justice.

If you share the asking price, someone might know if this is good or off base. I looked for a long time for mine, and just like anything else, price varies.

Lastly, there is a new Ladies section. A posted question there might get a response if there are any other ladies with same watch. There is a lot of good info on this forum, but that should help more with specific questions and responses.