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Hi, This is my first adventure into the world of vintage Breitling's. I would be grateful for any comments regarding the attached 1940's example. The dealer is referenced elsewhere as reputable and he states that mechanism is Venus 170 and that hands are new. Apart from that all is "correct".


http://www.watchestobuy.com/images/Brei ... no40'b.JPG

This is fun!

Expensively so

Welcome to BreitlingSource!

The hands are obviously brand new - at leas the central ones, and I doubt that the crown is original - looks way to sharp for being on there for close to 70 years. Probably the same for the pushers, but that's all to be expected. The dial is also in pretty good condition, but I don't think it's a redial, probably just had a sympathetic clean / restore several years ago.

I don't see anything particularly concerning about the case shape, but the condition is obviously very good which makes you a bit suspicious - maybe just a restoration, though odd that the seller doesn't mention it. That said, the movement spacer is huge - do you have dimensions on the case? The Venus 170 is only a 12 1/2 ligne movement, so not the largest, and the dial is suggestive of a large spacer, I would just want a little more information.

The first thing I would ask for is a photo of the outside of the caseback which will hopefully provide model and serial numbers - that way we can validate the age and model.

In terms of the movement, well it is a Venus 170, but I'm not 100% convinced that the engraving on the brisge is original - I'd like to see a close up photo of that as well.

Still have a few questions on this one.

Oh boy everytime I hear that, I think...


what did I get myself into? :

_________________
"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Hi again,

Following your suggestions I have obtained furtehr information and photos;

The steel case measures 37mm. across and is virtually scratchless.

http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt333/star-runner/

Hope the link works, it is the first time that I have tried to use photobucket.

Thanks for your time.

OK, so that's 1946 and reference 179 is consistent with what we see. I'm not 100% on the bridge, but I think I'm being paranoid.

Tough to say for sure that the spacer is the right size for a 37mm case - 12 1/2 ligne is about 28mm so it's probably pretty close.

I think this one's OK.

Thankyou so much for your help. I never thought that I would be able to access the knowledge base that is obviously present here on this great site. The challenges of learning about vintage Breitling's are like a good crime novel - some innocent, some guilty and some with the jury still out. I'll post a photo once I have the watch.

Thanks once again.

My pleasure - happy to help and looking forward to the pictures.

Unfortunately with old Breitlings there are a lot more 'bad guys' than 'good guys'.