The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Whatever. You think he could have given it a bath first.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Breitling-Cosmonaute-Navitimer-AOPA-809-EXTREMELY-RARE-/330969252360?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item4d0f4e0208

You're short changing it Paul, it deserves the rest of the description as well:

"There are only a very few of these in the world. One is in Breitling's own museum. The number out there could probably be counted on one hand. This was the first model with silver subdials. It has the wide beads of rice bezel. It is in excellent condition, especially the dial- It is in clean, unmarked condition with no visible traces of lume loss or corrosion to the dial or hands. Perhaps this is the best example in the world. For comparison- take a look at how many double red sea-dwellers are available for sale."

Does it come with Britney's hair?

Wayne

Putting the sales pitch to one side, there is something decidedly odd about this model. It’s something that jumps out and says “Don’t Buy Me”. It’s the gap between the BOR bezel and the C scale.

Unsettling comes to mind.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

Great eye!! This to me is a PT Barnum special, just waiting for the sucker to come along. Very sad.

It's a very very rare 1962 first year production AOPA Navitimer / Cosmonaute, and it seems to be in extremely good condition, you can search a lifetime for a watch like that without ever finding one.

/ Kurt B http://www.kurt-b.com

did not see this post; have to agree w/ Kurt for a change

not sure it will sell for this asking price on ebay though, but maybe Kurt will pick it up ?
would be tempted, as it the rarest of the rare in this condition, but the watch funds are massively overdrawn.

Agreed, the only thing wrong with the listing is the hyperbole - hence why this didn't get posted (or moved) in replica.

Yes, I got it.

But to be honest, no amount of superlatives would change my mind. Each to their own, but it’s not the most attractive Navi I have ever seen.

Let’s be generous and say it’s an early ‘prototype’.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

I've been searching for the wide beads of rice bezel my whole life! I can't believe I've found one finally I can die happy!
What a joke!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

well, we are not judging the creativity of sales texts here, but vintage watches. the text is ridiculous, the watch is as far from that as it can get.

As this forum is the - as far as I am aware - only relevant source of information about the complete range of Breitling vintage watches, some of the comments above might be misleading to casual readers.

This is NOT a prototype, but actually the only original "space" Cosmonaute. Story goes (unsubstantiated, as we have to live with a current Breitling that does nothing to help the vintage community with information they might have) that the normal bezel was hard to use w/ the space suit gloves, so a wider bezel was produced.

The first ref. 809 had this bezel, no idea how many were made (anybody at Bretling reading this might want to add this info, my sources tell me they do have that information, but choose to keep ut private), but these are clearly among the most collectable Breitlings ever produced - whether Jim likes them or not.

You astute collector you!

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

Thanks for clearing that up Fred... following the thread from the beginning out of interest and for education (as I do all threads in the vintage forum) but was beginning to get a bit confused.

Am I right in summarizing then that this watch is: correct, rare and overpriced?

correct, rare and actually priced in a realistic range, I think.

Just not an easy sale on ebay, not an item for the "casual" buyer - I always find these slightly too high for my personal tastes and collection focus, but it will and should find a "hardcore" Cossie aficionado and be the jewel of such a collection; it just doesn't get much better than this.

I agree with Fred on this piece being a very nice example and possible a collection centerpiece. eBay is just not the venue for this watch if all checks out. The astute collector dropping 12k will want to check it out first hand, I would. Hence, the PT Barnum quote. If this piece is so rare and possibly historical it belongs in a Christie's type auction were its true potential can be realized. Yes the seller pays fees for this but they would be recouped if on such a watch.
So much fraud is done in online auctions today it is amazing, people just do not read or hear about it until you are a victim. PayPal and eBay protect to an extent but it still happens.