The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Think Rolex is very smart at promoting it's heritage, the very reason why some forever green vintage references like the Submariner and SeaDweller command equal or higher prices than their modern counterparts and a huge fan following.
With Breitling, unfortunately, except for a few sub references, most vintage Breitlings are less expensive than their modern counterparts, thanks to Breitling not having protected it's heritage very well. The number of collectors is lesser too owing to this, which indirectly affects modern Breitling prices. With Rolex, buyers do know that their investment is very well protected because of their collectability and desireability even when old.

The other thing against Breitling is that the Breitling of today is not the same company as the original Breitling company, so that's construed as a negative compared to Rolex which is the same company since inception but not the greatest factor.

Good question. Movement probably yes, case possibly, bracelet definitely not . The used value of many Rolexes seems to bottom out about half the cost of a new equivalent; you'll struggle to find a good used DJ for under £2,000 no matter its age, when a new one is just over £4,000, and even a worn and torn Sub on a bracelet - pick your favourite - won't be possible for under £2,500 when a new one is £5,000 or so.

On the other hand, I bought a worn but worthy Superocean for just under £700 recently - a new one is £2,600. If I don't clean it up and service it, I won't get £600 for it if I sell it again, so I reckon the long-run used value of a working, wearable Breitling is between 20 and 25% of a new equivalent. Even after a full refurbishment I won't cover my costs, so you have to spend the money carefully. Then again, as pointed out, Breitling changes its models very frequently by comparison, and there is much more "fashion" involved. And of course, fashion goes in and out of style. Or is it the other way around?