The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Thanks amigos
I'm supposed to be getting it today
USPS shows out for delivery , you guys know the feeling
I will report back once I get her all situated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We know it all too well.

So she made it home safe and sound !
Was pleasantly surprised with the condition , especially the bracelet , looks flawless ,
The only gripe I have is the bezel has quite a bit of play and some typical minor scuffs on the inner bezel ring and outer , but that's okay considering its a 2000 year model
I will probably drop it off at my local boutique here in Vegas and have them send her off to BUSA , I have no idea when it was serviced last and given its 15yrs old I might as well

Bracelet stamped and paperwork all matches for a sell date of 2000
I put it on a black leather for now as I was having trouble sizing the pilot bracelet , I needed to get to the last link and need 2 screwdrivers for the removal of the last links at the clasp , would the faceted squared style brushed pilot fit my watch ? I actually would prefer that look .
So on to a few quick pics sorry for the lighting
Oh and the size is actually Doable !! Not to diff from my SOs







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks great. That first picture really shows off the par épargne dial. An overhaul couldn't hurt, given its age.

Good question about the faceted Pilot fitting the Headwind. One of the pictures on the B-Source Headwind page shows it fitted with one, so it appears doable. That one looks brushed though, so I'm thinking the bracelet might be off a Blackbird, and the case was custom brushed to match. That's just a guess, though. I'm not sure if any prior-generation (i.e., straight lug) Windriders came with a 22mm faceted Pilot.

BTW, the inner bezel ring is otherwise known as a chimney. Using the term is a way to impress your friends and confuse and/or embarrass your ADs, as a lot of them don't know that. (I didn't, either, until Sharkman educated me.)

Here's another one, but it's also brushed. Now I don't know if there was a brushed Headwind, or if this is more evidence of a custom brush job. Given that the chimney is also brushed, I'm guessing maybe the latter, since Breitling typically leaves chimneys polished even on their brushed watches. Hopefully someone who knows more than I will chime in.

Ha thanks JS


I appreciate all the good insider info
so do you think I should be on the hunt for a blackbird bracelet? I wonder if I should put mine up for sale or trade just an idea as I thought the brushed version you just showed me is really nice , I like the look , it tones down the shine a bit ... I'm really staring to like this watch and entertaining the idea of doing a custom brushed job , or should I just leave it oem ?
Hmm I guess a good place to start is to see about swapping bracelets

Thanks again JS


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Before going that route, you will want to find out if Breitling ever put out a brushed version, and/or one that came standard with a faceted Pilot, or if the pics I've linked to are of custom jobs using a "borrowed" bracelet. If the Headwind was only ever officially put out in polished finish, then I don't see any point in trading, when you could just as easily get a brush job yourself.

I can't answer whether you should hunt for a BB bracelet. It depends on how much you like the faceting. They are pretty cool, I will say, but I don't think the absence of the facets kills the watch. As for OEM polish versus custom brush, that's another one you'd have to decide for yourself. Go with what makes you happy. Look at it this way: if you put the work into making the watch just the way you like it, you'll have a legacy piece you'll never want to get rid of.

It was, in 2002, just SS model with black, blue and white dial.

Good to know, thanks. Did it come with a faceted Pilot?

Thanks guys , I don't know why but I'm really wanting that faceted pilot ... Might be the deciding factor in keeping this discontinued gem ,..
The prob is that the 355A
Bracelet is somewhat of a unicorn ... I can't find one




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think it's a great piece and something that goes well with any outfit or occasion. Can't really find any faults with it. Size is bang on too.

I've been really taken with the shots in this thread and started looking into the Headwind a bit more, but alas I think they're too big for me. I didn't realise they were 43.7/15.3mm - I guess it's a measure of how well-proportioned they are that they just don't look that big in wrist shots.

So looks like she's sticking around for a while .. Unless I get a good offer on her she's gonna be safe in the watch case for now ..

Thanks soo much for all the input and suggestion and guidance !!

The dial detail does have an amazing warmth to it






Thanks for reading


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Damn you, I've set my heart on one now - black dial, brushed. Though the brushed seems especially hard to come by.

i recall the headwind fondly. my first breitling was a colt and the headwind just came out. I got the colt from an AD for like $800 the headwind was like 4 or 5k then in the virgin islands and at the time.

it struck me then as a beautiful watch, yours looks great. the faceted polished bracelet i believe was available on the headwind and crosswind special edition. ive seen headwinds polished and not polished.

re pilot fitment. ive noted that the screws should really go back where they came from and that the links really fit better in one direction (i.e. directional).