Another 'Genuine or Not' question

[muttley]

Hi all,
I've been looking at an older model 'coltocean' quartz in a shop - no papers etc. It looks & feels genuine, but I'm intrigued by the seconds hand - it does not have a square or arrow at the tip, but is coloured red for the last cm or so. I've done a quick google for images of the quartz colt ocean but they all seem to show the square or arrowhead seconds hand.
Anyone know if this watch originally came out with a 'standard' looking seconds hand (with the red tip)?
Not too serious about jumping in but would like to verify authenticity as much as possible. There is no AD anywhere near hear so can't really go there. Although simply removing the caseback would be pretty conclusive (no one bothers to fake a movement/detailing etc).
Anyone....?

[Frontierman63]

Ok Mutley i found this one and it sounds like what you found? I hope it helps
http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch...arine_156.html

[muttley]

FOUND IT!! :)
This is the exact same watch, photo courtesy of that auction site we all love...

So, it does appear to be genuine. Question is, is it worth it? No papers, no boxes, tags, manuals etc. No history.
Any thoughts guys.....?
Cheers.

[Texcowboy]

Mine is not the 'Colt Ocean' model, just the Colt SQ, but I not only bought it without papers, manual, etc, but without the extra bracelet links (found one on E-Bay). I really like mine and would do it all over again. I also bought a few straps for it !

[Fenice]

Pay attention !

Older versions of the Colt ( or Colt Ocean) are rather small on the wrist nowadays...I guess max. 38 mm or so...

Often photo's of such a watch are taken with a wide-angle lens, so they appear bigger than in reality.

[Texcowboy]

My Colt is small, but I have small wrists (6 3/4) so it works for me ! When I switch from it to my Omega Seamaster I can really tell the difference.

[muttley]

Pay attention !

Older versions of the Colt ( or Colt Ocean) are rather small on the wrist nowadays...I guess max. 38 mm or so...

Often photo's of such a watch are taken with a wide-angle lens, so they appear bigger than in reality.

Cheers, I've seen the watch up close & tried it on in the store. It's noticeably smaller than my superocean, but is not bad at all. The bezel & case push the size on the wrist out nicely. I guess it would come down to price to make it worthwhile. I don't think they'll lower the price to make it more attractive, but it's been in the store for a couple of months now.....

[HockeyBrand]

Ok Mutley i found this one and it sounds like what you found? I hope it helps
http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch...arine_156.html

Hey Rich, that's my buddy's site. He's got the largest collection of Breitling's in Vancouver.

[Scott D]

Hey Muttley,

Yup, up until 2001 or 2002 the Colt Quartz has the 'standard' second hand with the red tip. So that's legit.

Is the picture you posted the exact watch, or just an exact picture of it? if it's the exact watch then it looks good. Fonts are right on, no tell-tales on the dial & most importantly, the bracelet is correct. One thing the fakes never seem to do right is the Breitling bracelets. Since Breitling uses a fairly unique design, they're aren't many 3rd parties that make them right. Also, the screw-on ends are a good sign it's legit. Most fakes I see don't have the dual screws holding on the removable links...

I'd also ask when (or if) it's been serviced. As it's a 2002 model at bestr, it may need a service soon. If they won't lower the price, maybe ge them to spring for a service?

[muttley]

Scott (where have you been hiding??:) )
Thanks for the reply. The pic I posted is not the exact watch. The watch I was looking at is in a 'worn' condition, but it looks like any marks are cosmetic and can be polished out. The dial looks good, it has a good weight, and the engraving on the caseback looks spot on (from what I've seen of other fakes - I've never seen a Breitling fake - the detail on the engraving is not usually as good as the real thing) and the bracelet looks right. I was just concerned about the seconds hand but now that I've seen it on the web again, and you've just confirmed it (and nailed down the date for me too - thanks) I'm 99.9% sure it's for real.
Unfortunately it's a pawn shop, so I doubt they would spring for anything (except joy, if I bought it).
They also have a very nice Bell & Ross 'Medium Auto' with papers and boxes etc for about the same price. It's in great condition, but just not quite my kind of 'style'.... what do you think?

Hey Muttley,

Yup, up until 2001 or 2002 the Colt Quartz has the 'standard' second hand with the red tip. So that's legit.

Is the picture you posted the exact watch, or just an exact picture of it? if it's the exact watch then it looks good. Fonts are right on, no tell-tales on the dial & most importantly, the bracelet is correct. One thing the fakes never seem to do right is the Breitling bracelets. Since Breitling uses a fairly unique design, they're aren't many 3rd parties that make them right. Also, the screw-on ends are a good sign it's legit. Most fakes I see don't have the dual screws holding on the removable links...

I'd also ask when (or if) it's been serviced. As it's a 2002 model at bestr, it may need a service soon. If they won't lower the price, maybe ge them to spring for a service?