The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm think about getting a Breitling Bullhead. Can anybody tell me what to look for in these watches and what fair value is? I'm new to Breitlings. I've found one for sale on chrono24 can anybody point me in the direction of any more? I'm not a dealer but an individual looking for a nice watch at a reasonable price! Aren't we all.

both on chrono24 at the upper end of reasonable, though the piece from Germany seems really nice.

Pult/Pupitre were available in manual wind (ref. 7101) and Cal.11/12 chrono-matic (ref. 2117) versions, blue and brown dials.

the Bullheads were far from being a big success at launch (just like the Omega), so many 7101 cases and dials remained unsold when Breitling ceased production in the mid 1970s - many of the 7101 offered now are assembled from these spare parts, using donor movements from "lesser" models - the Hungary Cal.11 piece might be such an assembled watch, as all the "genuine" 7101 are using Cal. 12 movements afaik.

Germany piece seems to come from the Roy Geweniger stock of NOS pieces, most probably all correct though I would require a movement shot before I decide to buy.

ebay auctions for nice 7101 typically end around €2.5k, but currently none are on offer.

Thanks that is very useful. What leads you to suspect that one is assembled and the other genuine?

I guess I will have to be patient and wait for something more reasonably priced to come available.

actually an error from my side, Hungary pieceis a V7740, not a cal.11 of course, so correct.
might be an assembled piece, as it has the typical "unworn" case - not a huge issue as long as all components are correct.

still a bit on the high side pricewise.

Unfortunately someone didn't think that the one in Germany was too high because it's sold! I tried to call the chap in Hungry but his English isn't great so emails only.

yes, but we don't know what it sold for

They're still a bit of an acquired taste, even among vintage Breitling collectors. Some people hate them. I wanted one for ages and wear mine often (I need to get around to buying orange hands from WatchCo).

No merci for you who can buy the the right hands from a local dealer ! Do not wait too much , they could be short at once .

nice ref. 2117 Cal. 12 Pult listed on ebay today http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221364243135? ... 26_rdc%3D1

Thanks I'm watching the auction. All the fun happens in the last 5 mins anyway.

What does this mean?

from the seller

"Every elements of the watch is original, I can guarantee. I am a registered watch dealer in my country and I do not sell fake watches.
Full service was last summer.
This movement is a valyoux 7740 is more rare than the other. Caliber 11-12 automatic version 80% are fake."

So he is saying that he has fitted a better movement but it's not correct for the watch? What does that mean for the value? For example, I have an interest in old cars. My 1956 car doesn't have it's original engine but has the correct type of engine that runs better that the original. However, it means that the car isn't matching numbers and therefore is worth less. Is it the same for watches?

The watch was produced with 7740 (manual) and calibre 11 / 12 (automatic) versions. The seller is suggesting that most of the automatics are fake, and while he isn't necessarily wrong a lot of the manuals are fakes as well.

This one is original - Fred wouldn't have pointed it out if it wasn't a nice example.

which watch are you talking about ? Pult cases for the 7740 and the Cal.11/12 are different, you can not exchange the movements between them.

statement is bull in many respects, ref. 2117 are far rarer.

had a look at the R7740 bridge and can't tell if it is a Breitling marked bridge or not, pic isn't good enough; this could well be one of the "assembled" piece, fine with me, as long as only original Breitling parts are used.

his statement about replacing a Cal.11 or 12 with an R7740 shows that he might be a watch dealer, but knows nothing at all about these movement; the R7740 has the normal crown position between the pushers, Cal. 11/12 have the crown on the opposite side of the movements; so w/ the 7101 you see the crown at 12, with the 2117 the crown sits at 6. no, you can't just "drill a hole".