Whats it worth?
Discussion
My father is considering taking his old watch apart to try and fix it.
Before he does this I wonder if its the best thing to do and wonder if I could ask the knowledgeable on here how much money he is about to risk.
Its a watch he bought from an american PX store in Berlin during the Berlin airlift somehwere between 1940 and 1950. German money wasn't worth much during this time compared to the US dollar from people flying in to help. Its worked flawlessly until just before the weekend when it stopped for no apparent reason.
Its a Breitling Navtimer. Apparently it has a three figure digit on the back of the case to signify its model, and a long digit unique serial number inside the back case.
He's not keen on taking it to a watch repairer because of the cost.
Before he does this I wonder if its the best thing to do and wonder if I could ask the knowledgeable on here how much money he is about to risk.
Its a watch he bought from an american PX store in Berlin during the Berlin airlift somehwere between 1940 and 1950. German money wasn't worth much during this time compared to the US dollar from people flying in to help. Its worked flawlessly until just before the weekend when it stopped for no apparent reason.
Its a Breitling Navtimer. Apparently it has a three figure digit on the back of the case to signify its model, and a long digit unique serial number inside the back case.
He's not keen on taking it to a watch repairer because of the cost.
Conversely, Justin, I believe there is a company called "watch doctor" (or something similar) where many get their watches serviced all for a very reasonable price apparently.
Regardless of the cost risk, for the (relatively) low cost against going that direction, would it not make more sense?
Unless of course he is well versed in these things and confident of doing it!
Regardless of the cost risk, for the (relatively) low cost against going that direction, would it not make more sense?
Unless of course he is well versed in these things and confident of doing it!
julian64 said:
Looks very like the first picture on that list.
Any idea of the value?
If it's anything like this, Any idea of the value?
I would have thought it would sell for a 4 figure sum rather than 3. If you don't want to use Breitling UK, then contact your local BHI accredited watchmaker. See here..
http://www.bhi.co.uk/repairer.html
I wouldn't have thought its gonna be worth a four figure sum! I think my father said he paid $50 for it.
I'll take a photo of it this evening and post it in case I'm got things completely arse about face, but I have to say from memory it looks very like your photo.
I'll take a photo of it this evening and post it in case I'm got things completely arse about face, but I have to say from memory it looks very like your photo.
Edited by julian64 on Monday 28th June 09:23
I'd certainly get anything of that period looked over by someone who knows his onions, small differences in models/provenance and condition can have huge effects on price.
A Rolex from the '60's could be bought new for a few hundred dollars, to buy it now would cost into 4 figures and if it's a particular type or run or has been issued then it may run up into 5 figures...
A Rolex from the '60's could be bought new for a few hundred dollars, to buy it now would cost into 4 figures and if it's a particular type or run or has been issued then it may run up into 5 figures...
Okay, be nice I'm not good with a camera.
Okay the movement under all that dirt says 'wog', the back of the case has 806 stamped on it , and inside the serial number is 932855.
Assuming I'm going to print this thread out for my 77 year old father to read before he tries to fix it himself, anyone with a bit of price knowledge want to pull a ball park figure on it.
Okay the movement under all that dirt says 'wog', the back of the case has 806 stamped on it , and inside the serial number is 932855.
Assuming I'm going to print this thread out for my 77 year old father to read before he tries to fix it himself, anyone with a bit of price knowledge want to pull a ball park figure on it.
Edited by julian64 on Monday 28th June 20:10
Here's a nice 806 sold late last year at £1895...
http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic...
The crystal on your dads is quite scarred, so I'm not sure how bad the dial is. A new crystal, sympathetic case polish and a service would see this watch in shape again.
Unless your dad has the requisite watch making experience, I'd leave this to the professionals. A couple of hundred pounds with a BHI watchmaker will be money well spent.Just my 2c...
http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic...
The crystal on your dads is quite scarred, so I'm not sure how bad the dial is. A new crystal, sympathetic case polish and a service would see this watch in shape again.
Unless your dad has the requisite watch making experience, I'd leave this to the professionals. A couple of hundred pounds with a BHI watchmaker will be money well spent.Just my 2c...
Worn it every day since, its been his only watch. Apparently he was flying with freddy laker into Berlin dropping relief supplies. No idea what freddy laker was doing there. My father had just joined a firm called Decca, and they were responsible for navigation using Decca along the narrow corridor to take supplies to Berlin when it was cut off by Russia. Apparently stray outside the corridor and it was game over. Or at least thats all I can remember of the story.
I believe it was bought new from an American PX store in central Berlin. Its never been serviced, or touched since that time and has worked without complaint till friday of last week, when the question of what to do with it came up.
He's full of stories. He also showed me a book signed to him that he said was from the first man in Britain to recieve a pilots licence.
I believe it was bought new from an American PX store in central Berlin. Its never been serviced, or touched since that time and has worked without complaint till friday of last week, when the question of what to do with it came up.
He's full of stories. He also showed me a book signed to him that he said was from the first man in Britain to recieve a pilots licence.
That's a fantastic story - a trip to the spa is definitely in order, you've various options from just a mechanical service to a full restore - personally with something like this I'd say a new crystal (if req'd) and mechanical service, I can't imagine the owner wanting a full relume of the dial etc but make sure whoever you send it to knows how much work you do and don't want doing to it.
Thanks for showing it, superb.
Thanks for showing it, superb.
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