The Breitling Watch Source Forums

They're finally open!

We stopped by this morning whilst browsing the watch stores on 5th Avenue. I did check just before Christmas but they weren't open.

Well first impressions count as they say and we were given a very warm welcome as we entered the store. Had a brief chat with one of the sales guys as we came in and we got round to the issues with my Navitimer Caliber 01, he was really apologetic even though I bought it in the UK and said if I had bought it with me they would have had a look at it in their in house repair centre!

He said if we wanted a drink of water or coffee to let him know, he told us about the mini museum on the second foor and then left us to browse.

The layout of the store is narrow and deep with display cabinets and tables down the left and wall mounted cabinets down the right on the main floor. Just about every current model is on display there including the full B4B range (excluding the Tourbillon).

On the second floor is the mini museum which charts the history of the key models with some beautiful vintage time pieces, interestingly though there is no 1969 Chrono-Matic. This floor also houses the in house repair centre where you can actually see the watch maker at work through a glass wall. This floor has a mezzanine view down to the first floor and also has some tables and chairs to sit and browse through a collection of books including of course Breitling The Book! There is a full compliment of the B01 models on display here including the new Navi's and Transocean models.

The third floor has a bar area for drinks and a small selection of Breitling merchandise for sale and again a view down to the main floor.

The main wall to the left from floor to ceiling has some video/graphic displays playing and dotted all around the store are some fantastic display units which for example house a B01 and then the actual watch is surrounded in a 3D video about how it's produced, absolutely stunning to look at!

The cabinets housing the watches on the walls are kind of glass boxes and the actual glass raises automatically so the staff can take pieces from the display for customers to view! Very, very cool!!

We had another talk with a female sales member about various things including the Breitling merchandise that they give with the watches and she explained about the grading system and said if you spend over $7,000 you would get a jacket etc.

Listening to the conversations going on with people buying it seems like the staff look after you very well, champagne was given to one lucky buyer, I don't know how much they spent, but the sales guy said let's break out the champagne, it is New Year.

Given the current exchange rate it actually makes little difference for a Brit to buy full RRP from this store Vs the discount price you could get from your regular UK AD and you'd get a little extra!

They seemed really busy with plenty of people buying, but then, they are on Fifth Avenue!

I have no idea of prices, typical of the area, prices are not on display, if one has to ask.......................... you know the score!

All in all a great place to visit and buy if you're in the mood, very friendly staff and such a huge range of models, I think I counted about 4 Navitimer Caliber 01's just in stainless steel, they even had one in gold on a gold air racer.

I mentioned the forum and said I though I may be the first to visit and would write a quick review of my experience.

Anyways, enough from me. I'm sat looking down 34th at the Empire State, it's getting busy and the slab of Juniors cheesecake on my desk is calling me before we start getting ready for New Years in Times Square............................

Happy New Year everyone and my very best wishes for great success to the Breitling Boutique on Fifth.

Stef

P.S Sorry No pics of the inside, only this one pre-opening!

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Thanks for the review, I am looking forward to going there in the next few weeks to see the Navi B01. Junior's cheesecake is one of the best in NYC....no doubt about it! Take a walk over to Carmine's Italian Restaurant on 44th...great great great family style restaurant.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Nice work Stef, thanks for the write-up. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the Transocean after seeing it in the metal.

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Breitling Colt GMT
Breitling Navitimer World
IWC Portuguese Automatic
Breitling Transocean Chronograph LE

It's very nice, I actually really like the simplicity of it. It actually looks fairly deep too. As with the Navitimer Caliber 01 it's the perfect size.

I didn't think I'd like it when I saw the press photo's but in real life it really is very nice indeed.

Stef

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Great experience Stef and thanks for your thoughts.

Enjoy New Year in NYC.

I got invited to the grand opening party in 2 weeks. I really want to go but I don't think I can get away.

cheers, i will be in NYC next week for work..i will go and check i out.

Stefan Tapp - Thanks for the review, it was very informative for those of us who might not get to see it for a while! I definitely have to get back to the States soon, it's been ages since I've visited...

FEAR -- That's terrible, man. ): Sick day?

its as thursday night, s taking off a couple days, flight, hotel rental car..... do i feel like investing at lest $1500 to go to a party.... i dono

That $1500+ could be the funds towards a new ling!!!

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Breitling for Bentley Barnato 42
Rolex Submariner

That's exactly how you should look at it.

yeah, and just got a watch that cost 20x more than my first car, so could use some replenishment of funds, if you know what i mean...

Nice review Stefan. I was there on Wednesday and thought the store was nicely designed. The staff was
friendly and helpful. Great place to see all the different models and try things on but after asking about
prices and potential discounts I am not sure it is the place to buy. Still think you can get better prices from
George at Govbergs.

Stefan, thanks for the write-up, I can't wait to visit the store. Did they have a large selection of straps for sale?

Is the no discount rumor at boutiques really true? The IWC boutique in Vegas was willing to match a price quote I got from a store in the forum shops. The sales attendant said that it was near the end of the month and he needed the numbers. He also threw in a extra travel case.

Good point FEAR. Tell me its not worth it though

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Breitling for Bentley Barnato 42
Rolex Submariner