The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi gents! Longtime Breitling owner and lurker here at Breitling source. I would appreciate gaining some knowledge from our more informed members. I am in the market for a gold Breitling.

Are the date codes on gold breitling cases engraved/etched by hand? I looked at a rose gold cosmonaute and the date code is 2705 B4 (very small numbers! The 5 is difficult to decipher) and it is obviously done by hand and not machine/laser. I would imagine it is extremely difficult to do. I assume it is because the gold is soft and stamping the case might cause damage.

One other question: The date code would indicate a 2005 case manufacture. Rose gold cosmos were not introduced until 2008, according to the price guide. Is this suspicious, or did Breitling use older (unsold) rose gold navitimer cases in 2008 or later years? This is supposed to be a limited edition of 100 Red/Rose gold cosmos, according to the case back. I can get pictures up but they might not show the detail of the date "etching."

Thanks!

Welcome aboard.
Just post the photos and everything will be clear.

Otherwise we're just guessing.

Here is the date code in question. I got a better pic than I thought I could muster. As you can see, the date code is electro-penned/etched/engraved by hand. Very difficult to get straight or round numbers and letters.

For the record, the watch seems legit. It is the date code that has me confused. If it is not legit, the workmanship on the watch is spectacular. My next step is to weigh the watch head to see if it 18K gold. Does anyone know the weight of a 2005 to 2009 18K Cosmonaute (head only)? I suppose I could call Breitling.

That does not look right to me.

Yes. Thus my confusion. This watch comes with paperwork, manual, outer box, wooden box, leather case, everything except warranty card. I will post pics of dial and caseback tonight. Dial is beautiful with rose gold accents.

This watch is guaranteed authentic by online jewelry retailer not an AD. I don't know if I should post the internet site. 30 day return.

It's real, but I really don't understand it.

give me the serial number, if i came through the us distributor i can get you all the info on it, dates, service history etc.

Strange looking date code.

Thanks, Fear, I will email the serial number to you tonite.

Was this ever resolved?

I'm interested to know the outcome as well!

Sorry...Here's the final update. Yes the watch is genuine. It has been opened to confirm authenticity.

Breitling Switzerland confirmed "probable" authenticity from pictures. I contacted Helene Quentel of Breitling customer relations. Breitling staff did not find the date code to be unusual (SURPRISE!). They said everything appeared to be legit, BUT Breitling suggested opening case back to look at movement to remove all doubt...because serial numbers and date codes can be faked. Breitling implied that the serial number and date codes were legit, but stated that legit codes and serial numbers can be placed on fakes (obviously).

To summarize: Watch is 2008 limited edition. Case is from 2005.

IMO, it appears they had 100 rose gold navitimer cases laying about, so they decided to make a "limited edition" cosmo.

For the record...Breitling does not officiallly determine authenticity via pictures and serial numbers. They refuse to do so for the reason stated above. They WILL, however, say if something looks rotten or fake.

Thanks to all for your interest.

Thanks for the info.

Glad that you've had confirmation that the watch is genuine.

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