A Breitling reference number is read in two halves. The first half, the part engraved on the case back, gives the case metal, the movement and the model. The second half gives the dial color and the bracelet or strap. In A17326211B1A1, the A means steel, 17 is the movement family, the B means a black dial and the A near the end means a metal bracelet.
Breitling references look harder than they are. You do not need to decode every character; four of them answer the questions a buyer has. We have 1,158 Breitling watches in stock, and each listing shows the full reference.
How to read a Breitling reference number
Take A17326211B1A1, a Navitimer Automatic 41:
| Characters | Example | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| First letter or letters | A | Case metal |
| Next two digits | 17 | Movement family |
| Rest of the first half | 326 | The model |
| Middle | 211 | Bezel and finish details |
| Letter and digit | B1 | Dial color and version |
| Last three | A1 | Bracelet or strap |
The first letter: the case metal
| Letter | Case |
|---|---|
| A | Stainless steel |
| AB | Stainless steel, with a Breitling manufacture movement |
| E | Titanium |
| R | Red gold |
| U | Steel and red gold |
So A17326 is a steel watch, and U17375 is the two-tone version of a Superocean. A reference beginning AB, such as AB0138, is steel with one of Breitling's own movements inside. Other letters exist for black-coated steel, ceramic and other materials; the Case material line in the specifications confirms what you are looking at.
The two digits after it: the movement
The next two digits name the movement family, which matches the caliber name Breitling uses:
| Digits | Movement |
|---|---|
| 01 | Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, the in-house chronograph |
| 13 | Breitling 13, automatic chronograph |
| 17 | Breitling 17, automatic with three hands |
| 32 | Breitling 32, automatic with a second time zone |
This is the quickest way to answer a common question: does this chronograph have the in-house movement? AB0138 does: steel, Caliber 01. A reference that begins A13 has the Breitling 13 instead. The two can look alike on the wrist and are priced differently.
The rest of the first half: the model
The remaining characters of the first half identify the model and case. This first half, six or seven characters such as A17326 or AB0138, is what you will find engraved on the case back, and it is the short reference many sellers use on its own.
The dial letter
After the middle characters comes a letter for the dial color:
| Letter | Dial |
|---|---|
| B | Black |
| C | Blue |
| G | Silver or white |
| L | Green |
The digit after it separates different dials of the same color. So AB0138241C1A1 is a Navitimer B01 43 with a blue dial, and AB0138241G1P1 is the same watch with a silver dial.
The end: bracelet or strap
The reference ends with a letter between two digits, and that letter tells you what the watch is worn on:
- A: a metal bracelet
- P: a leather strap
- S: a rubber strap
Compare AB0138241C1A1 and AB0138241G1P1: the first is on a steel bracelet and the second on leather. As with most watches, the bracelet version costs more and is the harder one to make up later, because a Breitling bracelet bought separately is expensive.
Two references, read in full
AB0138211B1A1 Steel with a manufacture movement (AB), Caliber 01 chronograph (01), the Navitimer B01 43 case (38), black dial (B1), steel bracelet (A1).
A17375E71C1A1 Steel (A), Breitling 17 automatic (17), a Superocean case (375), blue dial (C1), steel bracelet (A1).
Short references on older watches
On pre-owned Breitlings you will often see only the short form, such as A24322 or A17366, without the second half. That identifies the model and case. It does not identify the dial or bracelet, so two watches with the same short reference can differ. For those, the photographs and description on the listing complete the picture.
Older watches, made before the current system, use other formats again. If you are looking at a vintage Breitling, send us the number and we will tell you what it is.
Reference number or serial number?
- The reference identifies the model and is shared by every watch built to that specification.
- The serial number identifies one watch. On a modern Breitling it is engraved on the case back, near the reference.
Both appear on the warranty card. Many Breitling watches are also certified chronometers, tested by the Swiss institute COSC; the certificate or card that confirms it carries the serial number. Our guide to chronometer certification explains what the test covers.
Using the reference when you buy
- First letter: the metal.
- Next two digits: the movement, and whether it is the in-house Caliber 01.
- Dial letter: confirms the color in the photographs.
- Last letter: bracelet, leather or rubber.
For help choosing a model, see our Breitling buying guide and our comparison of the Navitimer and the Chronomat, or browse the Navitimer, Superocean and Chronomat watches we have in stock.
Frequently asked questions
What does the first letter of a Breitling reference mean?
It gives the case metal. A is stainless steel, E is titanium, R is red gold and U is steel with red gold. AB is steel with a Breitling manufacture movement.
How can I tell if a Breitling has the in-house B01 movement?
Look at the two digits after the first letters. 01 means the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, as in AB0138.
What does the letter near the end of a Breitling reference mean?
It tells you what the watch is worn on: A for a metal bracelet, P for a leather strap and S for a rubber strap.
Where is the reference number on a Breitling?
The first half of the reference is engraved on the case back, together with the serial number. The full reference is on the warranty card and on the listing.
Why do some listings show only six characters?
That is the short reference from the case back. It identifies the model and case; the dial and bracelet are described by the second half, or by the listing.
Is Watchflix NYC an official Breitling retailer?
No. We are an independent retailer and are not affiliated with Breitling. Every watch is checked by our specialist before it ships.
