The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello,

I am new to the forum and don't yet own a Breitling, but there is one I am considering buying from a private seller. I would appreciate any information about this model and/or value that you could provide.

The watch is a Wings A10050 automatic, serial number 0502. I am told that it is in excellent condition. Searching for information online I only info about this line in general, not this model specifically. Also, current or recent for sale listings are only for the B10050 model.

Can anyone let me know when this model was made and an approximate value? I can't get this from this site's value table because I don't know the year.

Since I do not know the seller personally I am going to meet him at a local high-end jewelry store which sells Breitling and other watches. They will do an authentication and basic functional inspection for me for $35. Are there any specific things to look for or to ask the store to check? Also, what approximately would a SS band for this watch cost me?

Thanks so much in advance!

Welcome to BreitlingSource. Impossible to date to the exact year, Wings was produced between 96 and 05 and all that can really be said about this one is that it is earlier - up to about 2000. The B variant will provide you with a close approximation of value as there isn't much gold on that version to affect value and at this age the service history is more relevant - the watch should have had at least three services by now, or is at least due it's due for the third. Without service history reckon on $500 - $600 extra for a service on top of purchase price.

Thanks for the info. Are you saying that if this watch has not been previously serviced (or the seller cannot provide a service history), then the cost of servicing will be significantly more than if it has been regularly serviced? That may change the equation of it's value to me. The seller says it was purchased new in 2005 and has been a safe queen. That implies that it has not been running very much... how does that affect the need for service (or the effect of not ever have been serviced)?

This would actually be an item trade.

And as an update, I just remembered I have a friend who is a watchmaker. He's going to take a look at the Breitling to check whatever a watchmaker checks.

Use is irrelevant for servicing. Oils break down at a linear rate regardless of use and after 7 years they are useless. If that watch has never been serviced then it has been running with no lubrication for virtually 10 years and the service bill will be horrendous due to worn / damaged arbors / pivots / etc. By all means get your watchmaker to check it, but he can't get access to service parts unless he is Breitling authorised so shouldn't do more than an inspection.