The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I was quick with the keys to pick this up for the bay, but now concerned i didnt ask the questions first. No model description on the dial - no Datora/Top Time/Chrono-matic/Sprint... did I buy a re-dial?

listed that as a rather bad example two weeks ago: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53132

not a redial, but a total fabrication, no similarities to an authetic Breitling. hope you didn't pay yet ?

well, I've been asked to explain why this piece is incorrect and to be nice about it; trying - it's not always easy to know what to look for when evaluating a vintage Breitling, so here are the basics:

Breitling chronographs are actually quite well documented form the early 1940s to the mid/late 1970s - catalogs, advertisements, a book (Richter) listing most models - this watch might be marked Breitling, but has no similarities whatsoever to any known and documented Breitling chronograph, neither case, dial nor hands are correct; a marked crown is no indication at all, these are freely available as a replacement at negligible cost.

all Breitling chronographs from the early 1940s onwards carry a model reference number, 3 or 4 digits. there is only one exception from this rule, the very first R72 AOPA Navitimers from 1954 had no reference number 806 engraved, but these should be easy to recognize ; there are no 5-digit model reference numbers for vintage pre-1978 Breitling chronographs, "91007" is clearly incorrect.

all Breitling watches carry a 6- or 7-digit serial number; sometimes inside the caseback, sometimes outside, two different number ranges for chronographs and "regular" watches, accessible here: http://www.vidision.com/watchfred/

there is no number outside, could you provide a picture of the inside caseback, I'm sure we will not find a correct serial inside too.

again, I might have been the only person to comment on this piece, but I'm confident others here will agree - and anybody who disagrees with that evaluation should be able to support his position with some documented proof ?

This site is frequented by some of the most knowledgeable collectors around. Clearly if there was disagreement with a position then that would be expressed. I don't understand why there is an expectation that opinions need to be validated by the mindless repetition of 'me too' posts that are so prevalent in other areas.

The most basic research with show that this is not close to being a valid piece and when one of the world's foremost vintage Breitling experts confirms it I am not sure what more could possibly be needed.

Me too

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

I Second That

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"A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure."

Ditto.