Watch Gurus, I have a Breitling question
 

I am interested in purchasing a limited edition Breitling watch as a retirement gift for myself. I have seen the watch in person at an authorized dealer. I have also looked around online and found it on a few sites available for a fair bit less money. I have wanted a quality watch for many years, but have waited until now to make a purchase. I am new to the whole watch thing. So my questions are:

1. If I purchase online is there really any way to verify authenticity?
2. Does my dealer have "room to move"? It is important to me to buy where people have spent time educating me and helping me make my decision. However, I don't want to spend 2K more than I need to based on that. I don't expect them to match online pricing, but if they can get half way there, that would be enough for me...
3. Anything else I need to know or consider before making a purchase?

Cheers

1 I doubt it unless you can verify that the seller is an authorized Breitling dealer.
2 Yes. If they want to sell it, they should be willing to negotiate with you.

Enjoy. I came very close to getting one of 2 Breitling LE watches earlier this year, but didn't pull the trigger. If they had been automatic instead of manual, I probably would have.

I would offer to pay cash - that usually is good for 5%. And I definitely would not buy online, even if it costs less. Some things are nice to buy locally ...

G

What websites are you looking at? Some have good reps, others not.

Thanks Steve,

I appreciate the feedback. I don't like to price shop and do like paying for service, but I just want to ensure a good balance. I own a business where people like to price shop and understand that.

The watch in question is a Chronospace Automatic limited edition (black steel).

Some Breitlings are harder to fake than others. For example, I have yet to see a fake Aerospace. Tough to fake Anti-reflective surface (both sides) of the sapphire lens. Same for the custom digital read-out.

Also, they often make design changes every couple of years, and have serial numbers.

Aigel, Gassy,

I do always try to business in my trading area. Having a relationship with a vendor is important to me.

A quick google search pulled up Crono24, authenticwatches.com and many more. To be honest, I don't want a headache if I ever need service etc. I am the type of person who does not want to walk into my authorized dealer with my watch for a battery replacement when I did not buy it there...

I guess my real question is, do I need to pay full retail for this watch or is there room to bargain. I am fine paying full pop, if that is how the industry works. I highly value service and the people who spend time with me and am willing to pay for it. As this is something I plan to hand down, a grand or two is not a big deal in the big scheme of things....

Paying cash is not a problem. I suspect at least 3% as that is what it would cost them if I use a rewards type CC.

Cheers

Try the watchuseek and timezone forums. Lots of enthusiasts there selling watches.

When I was looking at those two Breitlings this year, I found them at a Breitling authorized dealer very close to my house. They were charging MSRP. There is another authorized Breitling dealer in Houston that had one of the watches at a discount. I think that a lot of dealers sell at a small discount, but when you're spending that kind of dough, 5% or 10% is big. I would have definitely done some haggling with them if I had decided to buy. I suppose that since you're looking at the LE watch, they might not want to give you a discount, but then, when was the watch released, and how long has it been sitting on their shelf? That sort of thing can be motivating to them.

We bought our wedding rings and my wife's engagement ring at a fairly ritzy designer jewelry store this summer. They gave us a 10% discount without us even asking.

Since you're buying a "keeper", stick with an authorized dealer and don't worry about saving a few bucks. Peace of mind and no excuses.

You can save money buying grey market (I've done it many times) but you would likely sacrifice factory warranty and if you're not Breitling savvy, you risk being taken advantage of. Stick with peace of mind and enjoy your new watch for decades to come.

Never gets old......

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I have a Navitimer that I rotate with another watch.
Bought at Grenon's in Newport, RI. The owners Ray and Betsy are wonderful.
I negotiated as I would with any purchase.
10% would not be an unheard of discount, more for cash.

When buying watches, I follow a couple simple rules.
Always go to an authorized dealer in person. I call ahead, make an appointment and show up on time.
Dress appropriately and get the dirt out from under fingernails.
Deal with the owner.
NEVER put 2 (or more) watches on one wrist to compare size, etc.

Check out the watch with both metal and leather bands.
I get both, they usually will throw in the leather band as part of the deal, even after the initial negotiated discount.
I wear my Submariner with a leather band occasionally, more subtle and comfortable for me, when not around water.


Best of luck with your purchase.
Matt

I'm not a big fan of the watches but the commercials are spot on........

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a company I have dealt with in the past is Buy, Sell & Trade Used Luxury Watches Online - Pre-owned Panerai, Rolex, Breitling for Sale

they are all used watches - usually in excellent shape and you can work with them on price. If they do not have what you want at the time you can tell them what you are looking for and they usually come up with one pretty quickly.

WatchUSeek is a good site as well (mentioned above) - It is the pelican forum of watches and has a large and active forsale forum. Watches deemed not kosher are weeded out very quickly


Oh here is a link for the watch I believe you are looking at - at watchuwant

http://www.watchuwant.com/watches/breitling-chronospace-blacksteel-limited-edition-chronograph-ref-m7836522/ba26-special#.VHncwWd0y00

Thanks for the advice guys.

Osidak, that watch is similar, the one in question is Chronospace Automatic - Breitling - Instruments for Professionals

Cheers

Buying online isn't a huge deal, so long as the watch comes with the appropriate packaging and paperwork. I've made a few purchases of this type and haven't gotten burned; but I make sure to do my due diligence.

With respect to buying locally, I'd offer 20% less than MSRP and be prepared to walk if they don't get down to at least 15% off. Even Rolexes, which are super price controlled from the factory, have wiggle room. I've never paid more than MSRP - 15% for one.

I bought one of my Omegas in Holland.
The difference in price paid for the flight. And then some.
I have taken it in for service, in Vancouver. They certainly did not have a problem, whatsoever, with me having purchased it elsewhere.

Retirement? Already?
Just the day job, correct?

I am a big watch collector, there are a couple grey market dealers that I trust and deal with regularly. you can haggle with them, and often get around paying sales tax. I dont waste my time with the authorized dealers, as far as I am concerned they are all crooks.

I bought my Omega Seamaster through the Military Exchange on-line when I was active duty. It came with all the paperwork, etc. at about 50% of what the local Omega guy was willing to negotiate in price.

I am also all for buying locally when it makes sense. I have printed online offer sheets from ammo, gun dealers, farm equipment brokers, etc. and taken them to the local folks to see if they would match the offers (after including FFL fees, shipping, etc.). But when real money is on the table, I do what makes fiscal sense to me.

Also, the last thing I would be worried about is dealing with a reputable online watch dealer: Their reputation and business is very frangible, especially with online resources at your disposal should they not deliver.

When my Omega was due for service, I shopped around an found a very reputable place in NJ, did my due diligence and decided to ship my watch there at a significant discount from the Omega folks in Europe.

That was two years ago and the watch has been perfect.

Good luck!

Not to high jack, but what was Omega going to charge for a service? My Seamaster should due for a servicing next year.

Just the day job....

Omega themselves will likely be in the $400 to $500 range. Find a well known/trusted local watch maker in your area and have them do it. My local watchmaker charged me $200 for my Seamaster GMT recently and just a little more for my Sub

I buy my watches through authorized dealers and I've never had to pay retail. I've often bought watches when traveling, which eliminates the sales tax. The discount you can get varies with brand and model. I have no idea what you can do on a Breitling but I would expect more than a 10% discount. I haven't bought a new watch in the last 10 years but there was usually around 35% margin for the dealer on most of the stuff I bought.

JR

Jeff,one of my kids used to be an authorized dealer for Breitling. If you would like pm me and I will put you in touch with Will,perhaps he can help you John Szabo

Thanks again for more advice!

Was thinking maybe to get into a less expensive watch and then move on/up later. Went back to the dealer today and realized I can't.. When looking at watches over the last 15 years when asked which one I like/want I have always said "I will know it when I see it" and this is the one...

Thanks, I will shoot you a PM.

I know you are set on the Breitling (and it is a great watch) but check this one out. The movement is one of the very best (rolex used it for the previous model Daytona) and it is in my opinion a very sexy watch

FS: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chronograph with B&P - Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum

http://dev2.topperjewelers.com/images/zeniths/17.jpg

That is a very cool watch!

Something about the slide rule "whiz wheel" on the Chronospace speaks to me. I still remember learning to use one 22 years ago....

On another note,

While we are talking watches, I would love to know why folks chose their specific watch and what appeals to them about it.

Cheers

OK, here's the watch that I wear every day. I love that it's different. Since I was a kid, I've been setting digital watches and alarm clocks and anything that I could to military time. It just made sense. When I discovered that I could get a watch that tells time in military time, I was sold. Also, a big factor was that I could keep time in multiple time zones. In my work, I'm often dealing with countries in other time zones, so it's nice to be able to keep track of another zone or two. There are other watches out there that do it, but based on looks and $$, this is the one that I liked. I've got the original stainless bracelet, and I've got the rubber band from the manufacturer, and I've also got a leather strap, so I can change it's character.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1417323193.jpg

These are the two Breitlings that I was looking at earlier this year.

Breitling for Bentley Le Mans 24 hour Limited Edition of 288 pieces
http://iwmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Breitling-for-Bentley-24H-2014.jpg

Breitling Cosmonaute Blacksteel LE
http://c745.r45.cf2.rackcdn.com/img/...Blacksteel.jpg

I had pretty much decided on the Bentley Le Mans 24.

Steve,

Those are all cool. I like your daily watch in Zulu time. Lived 2/3 of my life over the last 22 years in Zulu time....

The Cosmonaute speaks to me pretty clearly too... :)

My Airman is the one watch I'll never sell
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...psq6dzattb.jpg

The Navitimer has always mystified me, even as an a delightful anachronism. imagine trying to actually do pilot stuff with that watch. owned one briefly, couldnt even tell the time with it.

Hey Jeff,

After some research a couple years ago I purchased a tag heuer carrera automatic from Prestigetime.com

Very happy with the watch and price.

OK, when you're ready to give it away, keep me in mind!! ;) :D
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...psq6dzattb.jpg

These are the folks I used (I thought NJ, but they are in Philly). They also sell new and used watches.

Luxury Watches | Rolex Philadelphia | Fine Watches

They were very well run and they did everything exactly as they advertised. Give them a call, couldn't hurt!

Hard to say what your work will cost compared to mine: I DD the Seamaster and treat it fairly harshly, so I had case and band work done as well.

Best of luck.

Better link: http://www.govbergwatchrepair.com/

I came across a brand a few years back that just made me smile when I looked at it. To this day the girlfriend can't understand why I check the time so often...most of the time I never check the time, just looking at my watch. Glad to hear you are looking for something that makes you happy. A great watch is hard to beat.......if it has great history all the better

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1417400605.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1417400624.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1417400638.jpg

I bought a Breitling watch for my son for a birthday present this year. After doing some research, we decided to buy from a certified dealer and pay full price. At least we know that it is "real' and that there won't be any service hassles if required. These watches are not cheap, but should last several lifetimes!

I purchased a Breitling from and international airline pilot via Timezone. Have had it to Breitling for maintenance once and definetly not a fake. Came with all original docs when I purchased it, COSC etc....

Brother in law has frequent bought / sold via Timezone.