The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Found this cosmonaute on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-BREITLING- ... 3cd8718fd0

It has 806 written on the back and the outer dial looks weird. It seems that some of the original Cosmonautes had 806 on the back, but they were probably only the 1962 and 1963 models. And this is a 1964.

Is it right? Seems a little off to me.

There's a debate whether or not 809's can have a 806 back, from previous discussions i gathered casebacks cannot be swapped so i am on the fence on this

Other than that looks ok but the sliderule ring looks redone / replacd

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

Well Kurt B claims that 806 is never correct on a Cosmonaute and so he will certainly say that it's wrong. The outer sliderule definitely looks wrong as Rene points out, but I can't see any other problems with it.

I have a thing for Cossie's from a family connection, so I feel pretty confident on this model.
For me, it is a pass not on for the above mentioned issued that I totally agree with Rene on but also the case back. I to am a big on the fence with these different case backs but if this one I would say no. 1964 is to late for me to have this issue. Very early models I can deal with, EARLY ones but not a 64.

Wayne

I agree 100% with that statement - others don't of course, just wish that I could find more that is obviously wrong with the watch itself.

I got you on that. The case back in itself on this one is enough for me to pass but that is ME.

This one is from 1/2 1962 , since Carpenter went into space April 1962 I think you can say this is 'an early' one
but as you can see it definitely has 809 on the back

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

Great example of hard to be on the fence. It is not like Breitling was some start up company at this time. So you can image they had there s*** together in the manufacturing department. So MAYBE they had to rush a FEW out the door to meet orders and that accounts for the rare 806/809 question. However that is up for debate and so goes it would have to be an EARLY Cossie to fall under this criteria.

Wayne

Here is an example in the complete opposite of which I contacted the seller and asked them to remove it from their auction site. Completely incorrect however the seller was positive that 806/809's had interchangeable case backs justifying this saying that the Navitimer/Cosmonaute were marketed together not truly two separate watch lines. When I pointed out the fact the case back was also for a stainless steel version and not a GF, I was yet again told this was false information. Luckily the piece did not sell.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300970443653?ru ... 26_rdc%3D1

Wayne

I dont understand, why would this caseback not be for a GF version ?

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

This one is stamped Stainless Steel. GF version are stamped Stainless Steel Back.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221317733026?ss ... 1423.l2649

Wayne

Learn something new everyday

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

I still don't get why some of you guys lean towards 806 on the case back of a Cosmonaute can be legit.
I guy (with close to zero knowledge) wrote it in an article, and suddenly it start an avelange, Michael Merz (or whatever his name is, definitely knows much more about vintage Breitling then Alan Trott ever did), well - just a silly comparism.

According to what I know, the red square around the number 10 on the dial, didn't come before at the earliest late 1966.

So we have a wrong case back, a redone sliderule, and a period non correct dial.

Case backs can be swapped on most of them if you are ready to work on them one way or another, but you will need some tool and a guy who knows what he's doing.

Yes, GF versions are always stamped "Stainless Steel Back".

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

Sorry, what means GF - Gold...?

Thanks for all the great comments. I'll stay on the lookout for a better one.