The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have a Top Time 810. It has 1 403 114 on the back under the 810 number. I believe it is real...but would like the opinion of someone more knowledgeable. Do the dials look right and everything? I'm thinking it is early 1970s?

I'd also like some information on how to prepare it for sale? What are they worth? I'm seeing quite a range of prices and having a hard time appraising it.

Should I take it to get cleaned? Repaired? What helps the value? It also appears that the previous owner scratched his name in the back? How does that affect the value?

Thank you for your love of watches.

The watch looks original and probably just needs servicing and a general clean up. Can't quite see if the crown is original. It is from 1973. The owners name on the back looks like it maybe can be polished off and it does affect the value for most buyers. You didn't say if it runs or not but assuming it does the value would be in the $800-$1100 range as is. If you had it serviced and the inscription polished off (if it can be) then $1300-1700. The service (overhaul) would probably be around $300-$400.

Awesome. Thank you. Is the crown on the side? I can post a picture of that later tonight.

Do I need to take it to a special place to get it serviced? Or will any watch shop do?

The crown is the thing between the two buttons on the side.

There is a watchmaker on the site that comes highly recommended - PM member chronodeco (Craig) and he'll help you out.

Here is the crown.

Original but ready for a replacement for best results.

very interesting to see such a late ref. 810, years after the model was thought to be replaced by the LongPlaying ref. 815; would be nice to have the v178 verified, shows how little we know.

as suggested above, best would be to contact Craig - member chronodeco - to have it serviced and restored, it will be a very nice piece.

What do you mean by having the v178 verified?

It would be good to see the movement to confirm that it is a Venus 178.

Here is the movement.

It is indeed a Venus 178.

Awesome. Took it to a watch shop and it looks like it is working. Thanks again for your help. I appreciate your time.

It may be working, but unless it has been serviced it has no oils in the movement and running it will cause damage!

Reasonably sure the watch repair shop would not start it if that were the case.

I'd not be so sure at all.
I'll echo what was already recommended. Send the watch off to Craig at chronodeco (you can google his website) and it'll come back looking like new. He repairs Top Times from all over the world, and the next time my 810 is in need of some love, it'll be travelling from Australia to the US to visit him.