The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, and I'm hoping to Learn a little bit about a Breitling that I've had for about a decade. It's a platinum Montbrillant Eclipse (L43330) with a platinum bracelet. I can't find much info on this watch in platinum and particularly with the platinum bracelet. Can anyone tell me more about it?

When was it produced? (I received it circa 2000)
How many were made?
What should I be doing to care for it?
How much should I have it insured for if I want to actually wear it? (or what would be the best way to get an accurate appraisal for this kind of watch?

As you might guess, I'm a bit of a neophyte when it comes to watches, but I'd love to learn more from anyone who has knowledge to share. Thanks!

SL

Welcome to BreitlingSource.

I believe that is a limited edition of 25 pieces.

It was produced in 1999 / 2000 and if it hasn't been serviced yet then it needs it - they need servicing every 5 - 7 years. You can send the watch to your local Breitling AD or find a list of authorised service centres on the Breitling website. In terms of insurance purposes, it's tough because there are very few comparables, but with the platinum bracelet I think $20,000 is a safe insurance valuation. You wouldn't be able to sell it for that, but obviously insurance should be a little higher.

Thanks for the info!

Does the 5-7 year service interval apply if the watch hasn't been in use most of the time? Is it a function of time, or of "miles on the clock"? The watch has basically been sitting in its box, for a decade. I'd really like to start using it, but I don't want to do any damage by suddenly putting it to work without the appropriate service and upkeep.

The limited production run of 25 would explain why I can't find much about it on the web. The bracelet reference number (424L) doesn't even appear on this list: http://www.breitlingsource.com/articles ... elet.shtml

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the rarity did much to help it hold value, as the 20K that you suggested is only about 40% of the original sale price. But I suppose that will make it more affordable to insure and wear it.

Thanks again for the information. If you can point me to any other data on this particular model, I'd be grateful.

Cheers!

SL

You should send it for service before using it. It's the oils that become thicker and less effective. I guess it's worse if you did not use the watch since the oils didn't move at all.

_________________
Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

Ahhh. That makes sense. The lubricants would become more viscous as they age, and would be more likely to impede the function of the watch. I'll have to look into getting it serviced. What's a typical price for service? Does it vary by model?

thanks!

For a model like this the full service cost will be about $700, plus any repairs. Breitling will provide a full quote before they do the work.

_________________
Time is everything.
Collection

Breitling Steel Superocean Heritage
Breitling Ti Seawolf
Breitling Ti Aerospace Le
Bulova Gold Accutron

I'd love to see this watch

I am afraid, I have to disapoint You:

The Montbrillant Eclipse was before the all Chronometer change of Breitling. So the real serial number should be L43030 (although it was a chronometer). The chronometer total started in the next year, the Eclipse has been taken out of the collection before that.

There is a fake watch on the market, that has this numbering. If the material is really platinum (with platinum bracelet) the weight should be at more than 200 gramm.

The retail price of the fake model with a leather strap is about US$ 229,-


BG
Thomas

_________________
http://www.ellert.at

Thomas,

I guaranteee you that the platinum LE of 25 has model reference L43330. I agree that there is a fake of this watch, but the model number is correct.

I hate to admit it, but Roff, You are right. The reference number was L43330.

But I am still sure, its a fake....

BG
Thomas

_________________
http://www.ellert.at

Happens occasionally

Hi All,

I am fairly certain that the watch Is genuine it was purchased from an authorized dealer. I'll post some pictures tonight. What are the most interesting views/angles for a watch like this. And is there anything that I ought to obscure (such as serial numbers) for the sake of privacy?

SL

Whatever angles you want to show!

No real need to hide the serial number, and if you show it Thomas (Alien) has access to the Breitling serial number database and can validate that the serial number matches the watch.

I took a few pictures and did my best to capture the details. The lighting was pretty bad, so I apologize for the glare.


Here's the box it came in. The outer box is some kind of cardboard, while the inner box is a very nice wood container. It's a little difficult to open. I didn't get a picture, but the outer box also contains an envelope with user's manual, warranty information, a plastic slide rule, and a certificate with holes punched in it.



Here is the watch in the box. it rests on a little pillow, under which are some additional links for the bracelet. When I got it, the bracelet was a little too small. They supplied several steel links as a temporary measure while the platinum ones were ordered.



Here is a closer view of the watch, in the box. It may be hard to see here, but there are some definite differences between this, and the replica that someone posted pictures of earlier. For instance - on mine, the numbers appear to have some height to them - as though they are stamped into the face, or are painted on with a thick paint. The smaller dials also have texture; a concentric circular patter. The face of the replica appears to be a simple printed image.


Here is a closer view of the face of the watch. If you view this at full resolution, you can see what I mean about the circles on the little dials


Now a view of the under side of the watch. You can see the model number (L43330) and the "PT950" above it. There is a serial number printed below, which is much more faint. I scrubbed this in photoshop (paranoia won out).


I tried to get view of the model number on the bracelet. It's 424L. I haven't found any record of this anywhere


And one final shot