The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Most of you guys know that i work as a church pastor (http://www.hunterbiblechurch.org). One of my favourite bits of the Bible is Luke 15.

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8–10

It's the joy of finding something that's been lost. Jesus' big point is that God is more interested in saving lost people than good people (bad people who trust Jesus go to heaven, not good people). But just recently I've gained a slight insight into finding a lost, treasured thing.

You guys know that a couple of years ago all of my Breitlings were stolen (apart from the SOSF which was on my wrist at the time). I didn't mind losing most of them but the Chronomat 0818 and the TransOcean 2129 were a real wrench.

Well a month ago i spotted the T/O on Ebay! I could tell it was mine by the case back serial number and markings on the movement. It turns out that the thief had kept the watch for a while and completely trashed it. It wasn't even working when he sold it to a collector in Sydney for $200. The collector stuck it in a drawer and then sold it for $900 to a watchmaker in Melbourne. He gave it a service and threw it on Ebay. It was in very rough condition but still obviously mine.

I got in touch with the police and my insurance company and the seller was super cooperative and sent it back (big kudos to him). Unfortunately the damage to the case was irreversible but i managed to get a NOS case for it from the same year (both 143--- serial numbers). I also treated it to NOS hour and minute hands and a touch up on the chrono hands. This morning i picked her up. And so, to paraphrase Jesus...

"Rejoice with me; I have found my lost T/O 2129!"...

Absolutely exquisite watch rendered the more fantastic by the back-story. Brilliant. Congratulations Novocastrian.

thats an awesome story !!
i am sure you sent the seller a big thank you note and i hope you find the other watches as well

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

great story Greg and wonderful to hear you got it back - as beautiful as before !
(and the fact that there were a bunch of NOS 2129 for sale out of Switzerland during the last weeks makes it even nicer - the first time I saw these coming up, brand new!)
now only the 0818.......

Congratulations on getting that one back. That is an absolutely beautiful timepiece!

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Breitling Old Navitimer II
Breitling Emergency
Breitling Superocean Steelfish

Great story Greg, so nice to see that the good guys win sometimes! Enjoy it in great health.

Beautiful watch and story Greg, glad it came back and maybe prayers had something to do with it.

Btw you got it serviced in Australia?

That's a heck of a story and a great outcome. That piece must have wanted to come back to you. Lovely watch, the best of it's type in that era.

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Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE

Hey Cruvon. The seller had serviced it himself (a watchmaker). But there is an excellent watchmaker here in Newcastle that I use: a fellow named David Thomas. Really knows his stuff.

Very cool, great story! Enjoy you newly found friend.

Cheers mate, very nice and thanks for the info!

Everyone has said it already but fabulous that you got your watch back.

Graham

Great piece, glad it's back on your wrist.

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5 Super Avengers
1 Super Avenger 2
1 Super Avenger limited edition
1 Super avenger night mission
1 Limited edition chronomat Boston Celtics
Navitimer GMT
Transocean Chronograph Unitime
2 Omega planet ocean chronographs
1 Tag heuer Monaco

Wow... what an amazing story. That's awesome Greg! Good on you!

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

Now that's a story! And a beautiful watch! Congratulation and thanks for sharing.