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!
What can I do…my watch is a Chronomat GT 18k B13050.1 white face 18k and stainless strap. Dates to around 2001 but Iv lost all the paperwork and worse the serial number has literally worn away, you can just see what used to be numbers but they unreadable even with a loupe, am I doomed, how is anyone going to believe it’s genuine with a readable serial number, I was there at the watch shop when it was bought second hand, I don’t even have the sales receipt anymore. Felling downhearted. Any suggestions anyone.
Hi,
Sorry to hear!
The serial number alone is not the only factor that tells if a watch is real. Experts will be able to assess the watch in other ways to see that it is authentic. However, it can be a concern for those looking to buy it if the serial number is unreadable.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have one the serie A12050-1 limited
My Reference number is E13360. Surrounded by a rectangular box. Serial Number is 265025. A Titanium Avenger Chronograph. Any Date info on this watch?
Hi,
As this is a modern Breitling watch, it is not possible to determine the year of production using the serial number. However, you can try Breitling’s own service and see if you have any success there. You can find information about creating your account here: https://www.breitling.com/us-en/service/faq/#:~:text=Just%20go%20to%20Breitling.com,in%20your%20Breitling%20Account%20wallet.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have A24322. 6886738 I don’t get it isn’t real ?
Hi,
The A… number is A reference number. “6886738” is a commonly used fake serial number on Breitling watches. Based on this, the watch is likely fake.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have a Breitling Colt A17350. Date on case under bracelet is 0202 B5. Case serial is
556816. Would this be correct?
Hi,
If it’s a modern watch, you can get access to all the details of your watch on Breitling’s ownership page on their website. It’s difficult to say without having more details. You can follow the steps here:
https://www.breitling.com/us-en/service/faq/#:~:text=Just%20go%20to%20Breitling.com,in%20your%20Breitling%20Account%20wallet.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hi, my serial number is B 13050.1
I won this watch years ago from a professional tennis player. I don’t know nothing about watches but I’m curious which Breitling this is and what’s it worth
Hi,
The model number of this watch is B 13050.1. The model name is Chronomat.
Breitling made several different iterations of this model (some with gold, others in full steel, different dials etc.) so it is difficult to say the exact value without knowing which exact model you have. But assuming it is in steel (which is the most common), the value of this watch should be somewhere around $1500-$2000.
Hope this helps!
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I bought a Brietling “Navitimer” watch through Amazon. The serial numbers on the back are A17314, 86178474. Also, I am having an EXTREMELY difficult time in setting the date. I suspected my watch was a fake because it seemed used, the back is scratched, doesn’t look new. Can you help?
Hi,
The serial number is not commonly associated with fake Breitling watches however, it is difficult to comment on the authenticity without inspecting it. I would advise you to have a watchmaker inspect it and they will be able to say for certain.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
I have a Breitling Chronograph, 18 ct. Gold with brown strap. It was purchased on the 15/8/1997 from Mappin and Web in Birmingham, (this branch no longer exists).
There are what appear to be 3 reference numbers on the back, 81950 K13047 and just below these is the number 2193 which i believe is the 21st week 1993 when the watch was made?
is it possible for you to tell me anything about the watch as i was told it was a very limited edition?
Hi,
It’s difficult to provide more details about the watch without photos. However, K13047 is the reference number (model number) which points to a Breitling Chronomat in gold.
You can get more detailed assistance from one of our watch experts here:
https://millenarywatches.com/watches/watch-consulting/
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
Hey my breitling K35330 it says limited edition it was a gift from my father he used to wear it is it worth much ? And which model is it
Hi!
That is a stunning watch.
The model is “Breitling Montbrillant” and the reference number (model number) is K35330. The watch is a limited edition of 100 pieces. The price will depend on the condition and whether or not you have the original box and papers but if you have the original box and papers, the market value should be somewhere around €8000-8500. If it does not have box and papers, the value will be about €7000.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches
My model # is B13358. Serial # is 2216183. Breitling website says “no watch found.” Did I get hustled?
Hi,
The serial number is not commonly associated with fake Breitling watches. It’s possible that it’s just an old Breitling watch so it is not in their system. We would advise having it checked by a professional watchmaker to know for certain.
Kind regards,
Millenary Watches