Breitling Serial Numbers – a Complete Guide

Breitling 1959 Navitimer Reissue

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!

47 thoughts on “Breitling Serial Numbers – a Complete Guide

  1. I have a breitling Navitimer Montbrillant 07/2013 serial no 2422618 is this a genuine breitling

    1. Hi John!
      Thank you for commenting.
      Our watch experts can help you verify the authenticity of your watch. You can purchase a consultation here: https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/?fbclid=IwAR33dnvWCoT1wKxhAyWMyICI15Uw0Y9mDgNoz-WAhq-qPyLvUw2FXnWAkxw

      Kind regards,
      Millenary Watches

  2. Thank you for the information; much appreciated.

    1. Glad you found it helpful!

      Kind regards,
      Millenary Watches

  3. Can anyone check if this is real or face please
    E65062
    22423
    Breitling Aerospace reputation minute..

    1. Hi,
      Please consult our watch experts here:
      https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/

      Kind regards
      Millenary Watches

  4. A 25362 is originaly seria?

    1. Hello,
      Please order a consultation for authentication of watches:
      https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/

      Kind regards,
      MW

  5. Hello, I have Breitling Chronospace, ser. no. A56012, under this no. is no. 1069, .. Please, can you help me with identification ? Thank you. Regards. VS

    1. Hello,
      Our watch experts have the expertise to provide detailed information about your Breitling watch and will be able to help. You can order a consultation here:

      https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/

      Kind regards,
      MW

  6. I have a vintage Breitling Geneve on the back of the watch is 2 sets of numbers it reads Breritling and under it 2906 29 and under it is 693777. In the inside in of the back cover is hand ingraved like scratched the number B314922S1258UC . Which is the serial number, model and year. Please help

  7. Hello , can you tell me if my watch, which I’ve had about 5 years is a original please.
    Breitling Chronographe certifte chronometre Tourbillon. 300m
    Serie no 805556 please.

    1. Hello,
      Please refer to this page for authentication:
      https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/

      Kind regards,
      Millenary Watches

  8. Thank you very much for the piece, very insightful for someone new to vintage Navitimer like myself. You mentioned most serial numbers are on the case back but some are between the lungs? Any ideas which ones would be between the lungs? I have seen a Navitimer from the mid-60s without the serial number on the case back, is that normal?
    Thanks.

    1. Hi,
      It varies and is hard to say. There is not fixed date.

      Kind regards,
      Millenary Watches

  9. Good evening. I would like to check my watch breitling a13370 chronographe certifie chronometre etanice 2350107

  10. I was given a watch from a nice German guy with A134BC2805 breitling j class 1884 chronograph on the bottom. Still working. Is it really worth much?

    1. Hi,
      It’s difficult to say without more information but the number A134BC2805 is commonly associated with fake Breitling watches. With this said, if it is indeed fake, it is not worth much, zero in our opinion.

      Kind regards,
      Millenary Watches

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