The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey guys,

I found this watch at a collector's shop, presumably it's a Breitling (it's not marked on the case/face, but it is on the movement itself). It dates back to the 1950's, doesn't have any papers or a box (apparently it was lost somewhere in the past 60 years) & is 36mm in diameter.




Help would be appreciated

Based on just that photo I wouldn't say that it was a Breitling. Can you provide photos of the movement, inside and outside of the caseback?

Forgot to take a pic of the back, so I'll post the pic of the watch on the seller's website:

From what I remember there wasn't anything written on the caseback.


It's listed under Breitling on the site & he said it was one. It's a trusted reseller, he also has vintage Rolex Pepsi's, PP's, etc. I didn't ask him to open the case, so I don't have a pic of the movement.


The thing is, I really like the watch, I mean it's really old, looks the part, but is in good condition. I just found it suspicious that it doesn't have any Breitling markings on the outside (the guy said it was because back then they didn't put the name on the face, which doesn't make any sense).

very unconvincing, to put it mildly.

Is there any way I could get confirmation or info from Breitling itself? If I were to send them an email with the serial number or something, do you guys think they might be able to help me?

no - the current Breitling is quite clueless.
you said the caseback was unmarked, now you mention a serial number ?
maybe a decent pic ?

Definitely a serial number on the caseback, but can't read it. Doesn't look like there's a model number. Would be frankly astonished if this turned out to be a Breitling.

I was thinking about contacting the seller & asking him to send me any serial number he could find.


Well then I guess even a mod on a Breitling forum can find himself surprised
I couldn't sleep, so I started digging a bit & it seems as though it's a Breitling Ref 178

My guess is that the owner didn't like his Breitling turning yellow & had the face swapped with a non-authentic one.

The dealer wanted to sell it to me for 1950€, which is about 2600$. Now, because the watch isn't authentic anymore & there's a real, untouched one going for ~1200$ & a rose gold one for 3500$, one thing's certain; I won't be buying it lol


Anyway, thanks guys.

My guess is different.

I do not know who you are trying to convice here, dear OP.

if it is a ref. 178 it will say so one the caseback, right under a 6-digit serial number.

similar cases and the same Venus 170 movement were used by several manufacturers, the watch is not a Breitling because you want it to be - and the refinished "noname" dial definitely makes it "just an old watch" anyway, a movement engraving would be wrong too, btw.