The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've been trying to figure out what REF # this breitling is and if the parts/ movement is original. Any help/ extra info would be greatly appreciated! Cheers!

Photos (I can get more if it will help with identifying it) :

don't think this started off life as a breitling....

I think it did, David.
comes from the period before reference numbers were marked on cases, but looks like a correct ref. 178; unmarked V170 movement and the unbranded case actually confirm nobody has tried to "Breitling" the watch, early logos were a bit different from later executions, no way of exactly dating it, but late 1930s. like it.

Thanks Fred - I'm surprised as I saw this on ebay too and immediately wrote it off as not right. The script is so off and the lack of a ref # and the serial as well. always learning. thanks.

Thanks for the info Fred! Appreciate it! My only other concern is the serial number on the back. Doesn't seem to fall into any of the vintage Breitling chronograph serial number ranges (unless i'm looking at an inaccurate serial list)

list starts in 1944, Breitling started to use 6 digit serial numbers in the late 1920s or earliest 1930s.
no way to date those watches and we seem to have some suprising gaps, but serial numbers of new releases help us narrow it down a bit.
V170 was released in 1936/37, earliest 1940s have 50x.xxx, so that sets the range.

Very good information to know. I appreciate all the help!