The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Maybe I'm being overly cynical, but anyone who surfs the 'Bay for vintage Breitlings will have noticed how many seem to be coming out of Argentina recently, it is definitely the largest source. Although many of these may be a conglomerate of real (or mostly real) Breitling parts, there aren't too many original watches coming from there.

Today I noticed this on here - http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1321

I just can't help wondering.......

My concern is when we point out all the faults in these recreations we have no control who reads our posts and makes corrections to what they are selling. I'm starting to think the serial numbers and reference numbers are now also being forged and to see the Breitling script added to otherwise correct watches is just amazing. These guys are getting smarter and more educated on vintage Breitling's all the time. If you don't know what you're looking at don't buy it.

Paul

Can't argue with that. Given the necessity of making most such purchases from long distance I tend to look for evidence that Benno has the watch in his book (or at least something similar). I'm always amazed that there are so many 'mint' vintage Breitlings on eBay at any one time - the law of averages says that even a high end timepiece that was well looked after wouldn't survive in such numbers and it's all too easy to put in a movement from somewhere else, throw on a Breitling engraved bridge and a Breitling face into a generic case and away you go.

If it's gold you likely have a $2000 piece for some eBay buyer.