Breitling Serial Numbers – a Complete Guide

Breitling Serial Numbers – a Complete Guide

Breitling is among the most established Swiss watch manufacturers.

Breitling has been manufacturing timepieces since 1884, making it older than many other Swiss watch brands. Particularly, Breitling is known for its pilot watches, and its model ”Navitimer” has become an iconic watch model in the watch industry today. Because of its rich heritage, Breitling has achieved a lot and made a lot of different timepieces – many of which are built to last and for professionals.

In this article, we are looking closer at Breitling serial numbers and how you can identify a Breitling timepiece with the help of its serial number.

Breitling serial numbers: How do they work?

Each Breitling timepiece – like most other luxury watches – is equipped with a unique serial number that is specific to that exact watch. Almost like an identification number.

This serial number system helps to identify a watch’s production series and to keep track of its manufacture and sale. 

Serial numbers can also help identify if a watch is authentic.

During production, each individual Breitling watch is etched with a unique serial number to differentiate it from the others in the production series.  Normally, the serial number can be found engraved on the case back, but sometimes also in between the lugs behind the strap or bracelet.

For its serial number, Breitling has used several different formats over the years. Until 1979, Breitling used a 6 or 7-digit serial number. Following that, Breitling used a 6 or 8-character serial starting with a letter that identifies the material used.

Earlier Breitling watches can be dated using the serial number, but later Breitling watches can only be dated with help from Breitling.

What do the Breitling reference and serial numbers mean?

The reference number is the model number. This relates to a specific model. Breitling uses a particular reference number format which gives information about the watch. You can read all about Breitling reference numbers in our complete guide.

The serial number, on the other hand, is a unique number for a watch to keep track of when it was made, sold, and where it was sold, just to mention a few reasons why it is used.

How to tell how old your Breitling is with its serial number

It is possible to tell how old some Breitling watches are with the help of the serial number, however, it is not possible for all watches nor for all times. The Breitling serial numbers can be used to date your Breitling’s production year using the list of Breitling production years and serial number spans below.

Around the 2000s, Breitling began stamping watches with production dates. The stamps are coded by week and year and are located on the case between the lugs at the bottom of the watch. You may use a loupe to see it, and you need to remove your strap or bracelet.

The date stamps are coded into a four-digit number that represents the week and year the watch was manufactured. The first two numbers state the week (1–52) and the last two mark the year.

Do fake Breitling watches have serial numbers?

That your Breitling has a serial number is absolutely no guarantee that it is authentic. Counterfeiters can easily engrave the serial number if they want. Some fake Breitling watches will have serial numbers engraved and others won’t.

The best is always to visit a Breitling retailer or watchmaker for help with authenticating it.

Breitling serial number check for vintage watches from 1944 to 1978

• 1944: 563659-568959
• 1945: 568971-636507
• 1946: 636508-692266
• 1947: 703562-717737
• 1948: 717784-728688
• 1949: 728724-740210
• 1950: 740405-769843
• 1951: 769844-808456
• 1952: 808457-817915
• 1953: 817916-832126
• 1954: 832127-844123
• 1955: 844124-868778
• 1956: 868779-889562
• 1957: 889563-898029
• 1958: 898830-910504
• 1959: 910505-922163
• 1960: 922164-933063
• 1961: 933064-947803
• 1962: 947804-963553
• 1963: 963554-975997
• 1964: 975998-1002734
• 1965: 1002735-1060398
• 1966: 1060399-1122809
• 1967: 1122810-1204581
• 1968: 1204582-1262904
• 1969: 1262905-1337825
• 1970: 1337826-1356899
• 1971: 1356900-1382203
• 1972: 1382204-1406566
• 1973: 1406567-1426969
• 1974: 1426970-1433372
• 1975: 1433373-1439417
• 1976: 1439418-1442922
• 1977: 1442923-1448464
• 1978: 1448465-1448473

Breitling serial number check for non-chronograph watches from 1944 to 1978

• 1944: 298262 – 313351
• 1945: 313352 – 354254
• 1946: 354255 – 406688
• 1947: 406689 – 417234
• 1948: 417235 – 448093
• 1949: 448094 – 467655
• 1950: 467656 – 498512
• 1951: 498513 – 592542
• 1952: 592543 – 646974
• 1953: 646975 – 660248
• 1954: 660249-690037
• 1955: 690038 – 740339
• 1956: 740340 – 861841
• 1957: 861842 – 881067
• 1958: 881068 – 890396
• 1959: 890397 – 903387
• 1960: 903388 – 917613
• 1961: 917614 – 971814
• 1962: 971815 – 995108
• 1963: 995109 – 996458
• 1964: 996459 – 998198
• 1965: 998199 – 1000198
• 1966: 1000199 – 1002543
• 1967: 1002544 – 1002743
• 1968: 1002744 – 1002943
• 1969: –
• 1970: 1003104 – 1003153
• 1971: 1003104 – 1003153
• 1972: 1003154 – 1003213
• 1973: –
• 1974: –
• 1975: 1003214 – 1003713
• 1976: 1003714 – 1004083
• 1977: 1004084 – 1004183
• 1978: –

Do you have any additional questions regarding Breitling serial numbers, consult one of our watch experts here!