Which Breitling pieces hold their value
- The Navitimer, which has been in continuous production since 1952 and is the one Breitling reference with a standing collectors’ market rather than a used one
- In-house calibres, marked B01 and upward on the dial or caseback — these command a clear premium over the modified Valjoux 7750 movements Breitling used for decades
- A full set: the box, the warranty card and the COSC chronometer certificate together typically add far more than the same items would to any ordinary watch
- Unpolished cases where the sharp bevel between the lugs and the case flank is still crisp, which is the first thing a collector looks for
And what pulls the price down
- Over-polishing, which rounds the lug edges permanently and is the single most common reason a genuine Breitling sells at the bottom of its band
- Replaced bezels and aftermarket bracelets, which are common on older Chronomats and are obvious to anyone who knows the reference
- A missing chronometer certificate on a model that was sold with one, because buyers read its absence as a sign the watch has been apart
- Service dials fitted during a repair, which are usually stamped and are worth markedly less than the dial the watch left the factory with
Identifying and dating yours
These are the checks that decide which end of the range a piece sits in, and they are the facts a serious buyer will ask for:
- The reference number is engraved between the lugs at the twelve o’clock end and the serial between the lugs at six — photograph both with the strap removed
- The calibre is normally printed on the dial or engraved on the caseback; anything beginning B is in-house and worth naming in the listing title
- Genuine bracelets carry the Breitling name stamped on the clasp and on the end links, which is where replacements are easiest to spot
WishThrift does not authenticate or inspect anything. Condition and origin are described by the seller against five grades — what each one means — so photograph the markings above rather than asserting them.
What Breitling items are worth
The most-searched Breitling items on the site, with the band the label typically commands against the generic range for the same item:
| Item | Breitling range | Any brand |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Watch | £105–£1,050 | £60–£600 (~$140–$1,399) |
| Vintage Watch | £88–£875 | £50–£500 (~$117–$1,166) |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price.
Every Breitling value guide
Selling Breitling on WishThrift
Listing is free and there is no commission on either side — the price you agree with the buyer is the amount you keep, whatever the label is worth. Create a free account, or read the selling guides for what to photograph and how to price.
Frequently asked questions
Is used Breitling worth buying?
It depends far more on the line than the label. Breitling resale turns on the movement inside and the paperwork beside it. The same case with an in-house calibre and a full set can be worth half as much again as one without either. Each guide below says which Breitling lines hold their value for that item and which have almost none, so you are comparing like for like rather than paying for the name alone.
How do I check a piece is genuine Breitling?
The reference number is engraved between the lugs at the twelve o’clock end and the serial between the lugs at six — photograph both with the strap removed. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything — condition and origin are described by the seller, so ask directly and expect an answer. A seller who has the item will send a photograph of the marking in minutes.
What is used Breitling worth?
Across the 2 guides here, from about £88 to £1,050 (roughly $117 to $1,399) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts.
See also: value guides by brand · all value guides · buying guides · selling guides · condition grades.