The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I negitiated him down to 1900, but im very skeptical becasue he has not answered the sn question yet and has not told me if they used breitling parts or what they even did during the service. i dont think i will be going with this one unfortunately.

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Breitling Blackbird BEB
Breitling Headwind
Rolex Platinum Yachtmaster M Serial

You need to ask yourself a question - how much is this watch worth to you FULLY SERVICED by Breitling with a 12 months warranty.
Depending on what has been done to the watch through an unauthorized inspection by the sellers watchmaker. I would imagine very little as they would want to minimize their investment in any parts, especially given that they want to flogg it.
So, you are saying you got it it down to 1900. At best it will cost you another 300 for an overhaul by Breitling. At worst I would estimate 600 unless they really buggered it up completely.
So, 2500 in total may not be a bad price to pay for a watch that you really like the look of AND one that has been fully refurbished by Breitling AND one that in the end comes with a 12 month Breitling International warranty.
One thing to confirm however is if the serial number is visible on the back case of the watch or alternatively just in case, I would be contacting your local Breitling Authorised Service Agent to see if they would service a watch with missing serial number on the back case. Some of them will do it and the watches movement also carries a serial number so even if the case is missing the number BUT the watch has been serviced by Authorised Service Centre there are records and the watch becomes legit again.
But please check as some will refuse to service it as it has been stated here before.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Sorry about the incomplete message. I haven't done tapatalk yet (if that makes it any easier) and long messages on the phone just aren't working for me.

To finish what I started above, I bought mine cheap, learned a few things along the way, but couldn't be happier. I have put $500 into it for service and cosmetic restoration (didn't need hands or anything like that). Here's what I have:




As you might guess, I'd recommend getting a black one. I normally get all boxes and papers with a watch, though I think it might be tough (or cost you $4-500) to get it as these grow older. I would recommend getting a s/n, particularly if it would bother you. When I figured it out, I was really bothered for a time until I got the service and other work done. It was like putting my stamp on the watch and if no s/n meant I had to keep it for good, I could live with that. I'm cool with it now, but that's also because everything worked out for me.

Authentic Breiting bracelet is a big deal, though. They fetch a lot of money (usually I have seen $500 plus) so if you want a bracelet get it with the watch. Mine came with an aftermarket represented as such, and I don't use it on this watch. I might experiment with something but the strap suits it.

If you have any worries about this piece, I'd suggest you either take your time and keep looking or feel like you got a good-enough deal that you can live with it not being a pristine box-and-papers example. Search ebay and try a general browser search and you'll see what they are selling for right now. Just my opinon, with the s/n question the only thing that makes this particular one interesting for the price is the bracelet, assuming its authentic and large enough for you.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

I dont think he is willing to deal anymore. He still hasnt responded to my last offer, not has he saif what they did to it during the service. Even more of a reason I think I should keep looking. Plus, I think I prefer brushed over polished.

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Breitling Blackbird BEB
Breitling Headwind
Rolex Platinum Yachtmaster M Serial

Yours is beautiful. Normally I do like black faces better but on this watch I like them equally. I will just see what deal comes around.

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Breitling Blackbird BEB
Breitling Headwind
Rolex Platinum Yachtmaster M Serial

i say save your money and buy a Rolex!

If I got a rolex I would want the dayjust white gold president..... A little out of my price range at the moment. I'd take a submariner too.

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Breitling Blackbird BEB
Breitling Headwind
Rolex Platinum Yachtmaster M Serial

Sorry, the Headwind has the size the Day-Date doesn't have and more water resistance (to the extent it matters) than the Sub. Unless you want gold and full-out bling with a gold Day-Date, my watch guy and I put both a DD and the Tudor variant (he's primarily a Rolex guy) next to my watch and we just asked ourselves "Why would you spend all that extra money for that?" I have owned two Rolexes and will own one again, but for this complication the Headwind is far and away the best deal out there.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

Thats why I'm buying a Headwind! Its my favorite next to the Blackbird and I have been shopping for a very long time.

I just like the band of the Rolex dayjust. If they made it in stainless then it would be much more realistic for me. I will be more than happy with the Headwind.

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Breitling Blackbird BEB
Breitling Headwind
Rolex Platinum Yachtmaster M Serial

Scott brings up an interesting point about size. If the your ideal is a 41mm Rolex Day-Date, you might want to make sure a considerably more chunky watch like the Headwind will work for you. At almost 44mm, with straight lugs, and a thickness of over 15mm, the Headwind is a pretty sizeable chunk of steel.


There's a Datejust and a Day-Date, but no Dayjust. I presume you mean Day-Date (and probably the Day-Date II, in the larger case).

I didn't even take into consideration the DDII. I haven't priced one but assuming they only come in precious metal, the price is obscene. Compared to the pre-owned traditional 36s which still are much more expensive, the Headwind is, as Jackson notes, on the large side of normal but closer to present sizing trends for a lot of people than the old DD. They don't fit the same, but try on an Evo somewhere. If you are comfortable with that on bracelet, the Headwind will probably work for you. Full disclosure--I usually wear something thinner under dress shirt sleeves myself, as I like to have something slide effortlessely underneath. I have 7 3/4 inch wrists and the Headwind will fit underneath, but not as easily as I would like.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

Something like this might be more up your alley:
Size is similar, and its brushed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Breitling-Black ... 3f1ad8d983

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-RJ

believe me, I am sold on the headwind. My current watch is 44mm and 15mm thick.

also, ive worn the breilting and have seen then in person many times. Its what I want. The $30k rolex is not an option

btw that is what i mean; day-date II, but like I said, out of the question.

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Breitling Blackbird BEB
Breitling Headwind
Rolex Platinum Yachtmaster M Serial

the new sub c is amazing. if you do end up with one you will not be unhappy. and this is coming from a guy that was a HUGE breitling fan.

too expensive for me right now, I'll stick with the headwind!

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Breitling Blackbird BEB
Breitling Headwind
Rolex Platinum Yachtmaster M Serial