The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Looking at purchasing a Superocean 42 from an aquaintenance but with no box or papers. His wife threw away in a recent move (according to him). The watch has the etched serial number and there is a date code between the bottom lugs (1710 B5 which indicates 17th week of 2010 production). I guess my question is do the good replica watches have the date codes between the lugs? I'm going to post pictures for everyone's review later today but I wanted to get everyone's opinion on the date code. Thanks for the help...

Welcome aboard.
"Good" replicas have date code.

Hi Jay,

Yes be careful out there. There is a very good copy of this model, and that box/papers 'threw away in a recent move' sets off alarms bells as I've heard that excuse many times before. Some good pics will help us authenicate it. One last tip, the fakes of this model have unique serial numbers but they usually have the same number range, 1342xxx.

Adrian

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Breitling (Navitimer A23322, Aerospace, Chronomat Blackbird, Chronomat A13352 +UTC)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran Sport, Zenith Elite 670
Marathon (SAR, JSAR), Ollech & Wajs Cobra

Now I'm worried. This watch is a 1342XXX serial number. I will post pics as soon as possible. I am also going to take it to my jewler who works on these on site for validation. All that said, I'm concerned that the serial number falls into the mentioned range. Can I call Breitling and ask infomation about the serial number. Will/Can they confirm the model matches the serial number and confirm where it was purchased? Thanks so much for the help...

You can't, ADs can check though. Not sure about in the US, but European ones certainly can - PM member Alien (Thomas) as he has access to the system. That siad, posting pictures may well be enough.

Well, given that serial number range match, it must be at least 99% likely to be fake.

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Breitling (Navitimer A23322, Aerospace, Chronomat Blackbird, Chronomat A13352 +UTC)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran Sport, Zenith Elite 670
Marathon (SAR, JSAR), Ollech & Wajs Cobra

Thats what I'm afraid of... I have been in touch with the seller and he stands by the story but I'm more and more weary about this watch. I will post pics as soon as possible, I tried with my cell phone camera but it just would not focus properly. Thanks again for everyone's help...

The pictures are attached. I stopped by my local watch guy and his opinion was it is authentic. He removed the back and inspected the movement as well. He is a Rolex certified repair guy and carries Rolex and Tag watches. He also did the last service in shop on my Omega Seamaster so I do think he is reputable but he has not had a lot of experience with Breitling. Please let me know your opinions... I think I'm going to return it, I just have a bad feeling but I still would love your opinions. Thanks again...

more pictures...

Yes fake as expected. The giveaway is the lume markers on the dial ring. The lume should be neat, uniform and square within the box border, they should not be uneven blobs like these. (Look at the dial in the dark and this will be more obvious). The bezel numerals are also wrong, they have too much radius on the corners.

And believe, me many experienced watch makers can get fooled by these fakes, unless the are fully knowledgable of the subtle differences between a genuine ETA/Breitling movement and the Chinese clone version.

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Breitling (Navitimer A23322, Aerospace, Chronomat Blackbird, Chronomat A13352 +UTC)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran Sport, Zenith Elite 670
Marathon (SAR, JSAR), Ollech & Wajs Cobra

Thanks for the help... you just save me a $1500 mistake!

Best Regards,

Jay

I'm not as certain as Ade (would need better pictures to be sure) but I would always advise never buying this model without box and papers. The replica is too good.

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For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
http://f4buz.com/watches/breitling/fakes/fakes.html

Looks fake to me also.

+1.

Sharkmouth's advice is good on this model - the fake is so good that B&P are a must.

the tracking system tells me, that Serialnumber 1342146 is a Superocean Steelfish X-Plus with the Reference number A1739010/C666. I would definitely stay clear of that watch.

BG
Thomas

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http://www.ellert.at