Breguet

Hello - As I've mentioned before, I'm very new to this group.  I have a question about serial numbers.  Someone in a store mentioned to me that the Letter after the serial number relates to the year that the watch is made.  For example 400 M, means the 400th watch made in 2003.  Is this correct, is "M" for 2003?  Also - I saw a watch with a serial number "1319 AA" - what year is "AA"?  Thanks.

Hi Eddie,

 

There are a lot of conflicting comments about the Breguet serial numbering system and I have never read anything from Breguet themselves. As far as I am aware the letters do not relate to specific years of production.

 

The numbers generally cycle between 250 and 5500 (although some have posted images of watches with higher numbers that appear to be authentic). The 3 or 4 digit numbers are printed in the cartouche on the dial. Each new dial gets the next number in the sequence. Breguet do not publish production numbers but it is probably in excess of 15000 per year, so they are going to go through more than one letter in a 12 month period.

 

Engraved on the watch case is the same ‘dial’ number plus an additional letter. So there are watches with the serial ‘numbers’ 3573A, 3573B, 3573C and so on. This is how completely different series of Breguet watches can sometimes be found with the same dial number. Some collectors even chase Breguet’s with the same dial number (although different letters of course)

 

Because of the random nature of the numbering system it is not possible to infer production numbers, particularly of individual models.

 

This numbering system does not apply to the Type XX or Type XXI collections.

 

If anyone can get a definitive answer from Breguet, please post it here!

 

Regards

 

Andrew

I will post any other information that I find.

Basically what Andrew said is also that which I understand.....but to clarify the suffix letter be it an M or AA etc......as I know the principal behind the Breguet numbering system was to reuse the serial numbers that A.L.Breguet  himself used as the number of watches that he made...and when the highest number was reached they started again at the 250 and added a letter as a suffix after that number... so that the same numbers could continue.

“A” was the first letter added / used and it cycled through until ‘Z’ was reached about a year ago.

Breguet then went into double letters such as “AA” and “AB” etc.

The letters are not chosen new each year...but changed when the 5,500 number is reached...but having said that you can tell the year a watch was made by the letter.

”M” as you suggest might be a watch made in 2003. I know “U” was used in 2004.

Also you might wish to know that by using this system it is very difficult for their competitors to work out how many watches they have sold of a particular model or in total for that matter .....because  watch number 2320Z could be a Marine 5817 model, 2321Z might be an alarm watch and 2322Z might be a lady’s crono and so on.

There has been a lot writen on this subject which you will find by searching old posts...even some Breguets which have serial numbers up close to 10,000...which it is explained were a run sent to ..I think it was Germany.

Do a search...it will enlighten you... and be interesting as well.

kindest regards,

Jack

Very interesting indeed.  I will be sure to post any additional information that I may uncover.  Eddie