The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I purchased a Breitling 790 from an auction house. It looks like a complete beater and rusted. I don't know anything about this watch, or if it even works. I'll have more information tomorrow when I pick it up. In the meantime, I'd love some feedback of where to start.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/68 ... wristwatch

The price was $375. Can someone tell me what I should do when I get it? How to you bring an old watch like this back to life?

You’ll need to take it to a watchmaker that has experience with vintage chronograph to open it up and see what’s going on inside, and then go from there. Just to warn you you, you will pay more to restore it than you paid for the watch. It doesn’t look too bad to me. Sometimes that external junk looks like rust but it’s just years of accumulated skin / dirt. Serial number is from 1945.

I think the dial might be an old redo on that one. Look how the right 45 minute sub register doesn't meet the outer scale as does the left sub register. Looks like it was printed a little off in the sub register depression. I think the Breitling script might be a little large and sloppy too. Still, good price.

I also noticed it didn't say "Premiere" below the Breitling.

Is it better to leave the dial in vintage condition or have someone redo it? I'm assuming patina is more desirable...

If I pay $500 or more to restore this watch, what would it be worth once completed?

I thought similar but not sure so figured I'd give it the benefit of the doubt.

old redial

I think you're right.

I just picked it up from the auction house and am bummed to find that this watch doesn't seem to work at all. I can move the hands but no luck on winding it up.

I'd like to open it myself but am pretty nervous and I don't have any tools. Probably will find a local watchsmith.