The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I may be in the market for one of these for sale in a local watch group.

I just happened to come across it, and am considering it for my next purchase. It is also the Blue dial which I assume is rarer.
It is listed for about 3000GBP. And I would be observing it and purchasing it in person.

Other options in my mind are:
- Rolex Explorer II
- Navitimer
- Breitling Chronomat

I have not seen this watch at all prior to this, and was wondering what are the general thought on this model? Is it well sought after?
This particular piece has been on sale for quite awhile, a couple of months, and i'm wondering why it is not moving?
From the lack of information, it seems to be telling me that it was not very well taken. But at 3000GBP, a Breitling Perpetual Calender sounds incredible.
http://www.lacotedesmontres.com/IMG_enc ... /64412.jpg

Breitling source states its unknown-1997.

It seems to be an interesting watch to me, with a lovely dial and the classic Navitimer look (albeit it might be a little too messy on the dial, but I would have to see it in person to really know).

Also, is this an in-house movement?

Would love any opinions

Also, why do the numbers seem like applied Tritium? Yellowish. Or are they superluminova

I heard that it is possible to swap the Blue Dial to the Black dial (without the numerals, which I may prefer)

But if this was never serviced, I believe a service would be due, and might be costly too.

It's only a semi-perpetual calendar that one, so it needs a correction once every 4 years to account for the leap year. Those are considerably cheaper than full perpetual (i.e. QP) calendar watches, so £3000 for a watch of that age isn't the bargain it would've been if it was a QP.

It's also not an in-house movement - it's based on the ETA 2892, which is a good movement, but definitely not in-house.

Yes it is possible to swap the dial, but it's costly as Breitling will also insist on a full service (although it sounds like the watch will need it anyway). It also depends whether Breitling would still carry a replacement dial for a watch that old.

I'm not 100% sure if the markers are tritium or not, but they certainly could've been at that age, and the discolouration is certainly consistent with tritium.

Lastly, yes a service will be more expensive due to the semi-perpetual module, plus if it's never been serviced before there is a high chance that additional parts may be required in addition to the standard service parts....so adding to the cost.

Still a very nice watch though.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks a lot for that info. I had no idea there was such a thing as a semi-perpetual calendar. Clears up many of my doubts I guess you learn something new each day.

In that case, I would have to discuss with the seller for a better price, and possibly discuss with Breitling how much the whole service/dial swap etc might cost, to decide if I still want to get this piece.

It still is an amazing watch. But the non-in-house movement, and semi-perpetual calendar definitely explains the lower price which stunned me.

I would have expected 'T' markings on the dial either side of Swiss Made if that was tritium. Which raises the distinct possibility that it is water damaged SL......

Far from a bargain at the asking price even if not suffering from water ingress.

Thats not the actual watch being posted for sale.

But doing a web search, all the blue dial versions I have seen all have yellowish markers.

Do they all have inconsistent aging on the hands (like the one in the photo)?

seems to be just that particular specimen!

I understand now that this is estimated to be a 1996 model, the first half of 1000.

Condition looks good but never been serviced.

If you don't mind another question, research on the ETA 2892 tells me that its a basic movement.

With just hacking seconds, and time.

Doesn't that mean that Breitling has done ALOT of extensive modifications to make this the perpetual movement (for 4 years) it is?

No, it means another 3rd party module has been added to it. Breitling has done nothing except replace parts for parts with tighter tolerances, nothing remotely close to designing modules or redesigning the movement.

If the watch hasn't been serviced in almost 20 years you may well be looking at a GBP1,000+ service cost, I wouldn't go anywhere near it. Heck if you want a semi-perpetual movement you can get much better deals on caliber 19s.

Ah I see. No wonder the price is as such and nobody has been going at this watch.

Thanks for the help

A lovely cal 19 for your reference, in a variety of boots.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Lovely B19 indeed Wessa. Looks great on the brown croco.

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Driver8

Site Moderator