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I have seen pictures of limited editions on here that are deeply engraved on the sides with XXX/2000. Is this only done on the larger run of limited editions? Mine says it on the back cover instead.

It's only been done on the recent Navitimer and TransOcean LEs, traditionally it's always been on the back.

Also on the recent Chronomats.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

I have a recent chronomat and it doesnt have the edition on the side. I suspect because its such a small limited edition. Its only a week or so old and my AD had to get it from the mfgr.

As well as the examples above the recent Chronomat GMT 04, Montbrillant 47, Montbrillant Legende and 2011 Blackbird Limited Red Strike Edition also had the engraving on the side of the case.

I think this is the general way Breitling have decided to highlight the exclusivity of these pieces now.

The only recent Limited Editions I can think of with the engraving on the back is the Cosmonaute 02 which has the Mercury 7 Aurora Scott Carpenter relief on the caseback as well, so that makes sense, and the 2012 Blackbird Red Strike, which may have the LASER engraving on the back to distinguish it from the 2011 version.

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There is a difference between a Limited Edition "Edition Limitee" a Special Edition "Edition Speciale" and a Special Series "Serie Speciale".

Limited Editions will have the XX/XXX numerals, Special Edition will not be numbered and Special Series will be individually numbered.

For example the Crosswind Special is a Limited Edition as in the first picture the face displays "Edition Limitee". In the second picture you can just make out the XXX/1000 below the B44356 model number.




On the other hand the Navitimer Breitling Fighters is a Special Series and again the first picture shows "Serie Speciale" on the face. It is individually numbered as you can see the "No 2717" below the A13330 model number.





Lastly we have the Breitling Blackbird which is a Special Edition "Edition Speciale". You can see the engraving on the case back confirms the "Edition Speciale" but the number below the Model Number A44359 is just the watch serial number. These Edition Speciale doi not carry an individual number.





If you are looking to purchase a "Limited" Breitling and you are wanting one that is individually numbered, then one needs to be careful that one is not buying an "Edition Speciale".

Hope this helps.

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Yes, I deliberately excluded that because I knew what the next question would be (and it was) and I didn't have time last night to go through that.

As you can see mine is a brand spanking new Chronomat, and right above the 6 dial it says limited edition. But mine is XXX/250 laser engraved on the back right above the serial number and below the model number. I am not worried about its authenticity, I was just curious as to what the standard pratice is.

Looks like it varies all over the place.
However, limited edition typically has an edition number printed somewhere.
These three Limited Editions have it stamped on the side of he case:



This fairly recent release has it on the case back:



Special series is not necessarily numbered:

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"It is just a matter of time!"

I would love to have a clear caseback, but then I would always be taking it off to look at it! One thing I also noticed was the model number and xxx/250 number are more deeply engraved, and the serial number is lighter laser etching which makes me sorta fearful that it will eventually become illegible as time goes on and corrosion from skin contact occurs. I saw one pic on here that looked that way.

at least from a hundred years from now you'll have plenty of donor movements.

Very impressive collection along with Serge's Navi trio.

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

It's always been on the caseback. Recently they moved it to the side for some models - generally the DBs. There's nothing wrong with the authenticity of yours.

Some serie speciales are numbered. e.g. Cosmonaute SS, some aren't as wessa pointed out

Yes, but they are numbered xxxx, not xxxx/xxxx

I agree. I was just pointing out that some aren't numbered as Wessa showed, and some are as Findo tried to show (but can't be seen in his pic)