Three years ago, I inherited a watch, which an appraiser identified as a Breitling Jupiter Pilot wrist watch with non-Breitling bracelet. He said it was a Breitling Navitimer, Jupiter series, 13081, A59027. At that time, I got a new battery for the watch but then mainly kept it in a safe. A month ago, I discovered it was not working. I gave it to an authorized dealer, who sent it to the Breitling factory, which says it needs an overhaul, and they also recommend a new bezel, for a total cost of $555.

Is it worth it?

I recognize that the answer to that question will be partly be subjective. But I'm hoping to get advice on the objective part. For example, how great is the risk that if, I get the watch repaired, something else will suddenly go wrong with it that is not covered by the one-year repair warranty? How unusual is it for the watch to stop watching and require an overhaul that costly? How often can such overhauls be expected in the life of the watch? Also, how should I understand a repair cost of $550? That is more than half of the $900 appraisal value, which I got in 2006. But the dealer says that a new watch (though this one obviously isn't) would be worth $3,000.

You advice would be greatly appreciated.

Well my opinion on your dealer is that he's smoking something if he thinks a Jupiter is ever going to be worth $3,000.

These relatively early digital watches are starting to get to the point where they have problems because parts are starting to get hard to come by. At some point these pieces are going to become expensive paperweights because unlike mechanical pieces they can't be repaired when parts are no longer around.

The cost of this service is doubtless because it hasn't been serviced in a very long time, but it's not unrealistic to reckon on $75 - $100 per year for service costs on something this old - not every year, but say $300 - $400 every 4 years.

Is it worth it - not financially, but if you like and enjoy the watch then you have to decide whether it's worth it to you.

is it this style

or this


and if you dont want to fix it do you wnat to sell it as is?

Yes, it looks like the top photo. The bottom image does not display on my screen.

And yes, I would consider selling it as is instead of repairing it. What price range were you thinking of?