The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hmm, I may not be drug addicted or spousal beating wretch but the rest would be a bit hypocritical

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"It is just a matter of time!"

In general, something is only worth as much as someone is prepared to pay for it.

Someone recently offered Nick Mason $35m for his Ferrari 250GTO (he refused!). On the one hand someone might think how on Earth can a car be worth that much; but then again if he had sold the car, then all GTOs in similar condition would therefore be 'worth' $35m.

As for Breitling specificially; I personally don't think they are worth the money, I believe they are substantially overpriced. When I got my Chronomat new (steel/18K gold/MOP dial/pilot) it was the equivalent of around an average 2 1/2 months salary, £2,600. Today, the same watch in the same finish is just over £10K, or around seven months salary. OK, I realise watch spec has changed a bit, but the point is the same. In real terms the prices of the watches have gone up substantially. Another example is the Rolex day-date; it has more than doubled in price in about seven years, and the watch has not changed in that time.

The prices have gone up so much in the past couple years I think it has to do with a few things,

increased demand from places like China

declining dollar (global currency)

rising cost of precious metals and resources

I think the prices of the "luxury" watches are about 50% over that they should be, but thats just my opinion!

That's exactly right and by that measure I think one must argue that Breitlings are worth the money. They continue to sell. This means that people (obviously not all people) are willing to pay the current prices which means they must be worth said price according to the above dictum. Of course, I think this argument skirts the spirit of the OPs post.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

I wonder what the average demogrphic of the buyer is. I truly luv the chronometer 44. It is a chunk of money though. I have looked at everything in torneau flagship store. Stil like the breitling the best even went to breitling boutique across from them and they had everything. No discount, but they give you a gift. Still tring to decide if chronomat 44 is worth the extra 3500 over super avenger. Big price spread.

IMO, Absolutely.

I suggest you don't spend too much time making decision because I guaranty you will be getting both of them
A Living Example:

There is a saying which I think is entriely appropriate here: "the quality of something is remembered long after the price is forgotten".

If you want something, then go for it. Especially in regards to a luxury timepiece; let's face it, no one needs a Breitling; if pilots ever needed them to fly properly, then that will have been many years ago, nowadays planes have much more sophisitcated instruments on board to make the functionality or necessity of a Navitimer pretty much redundant.

Going back to my example, I bought a Chronomat ten years ago for £2,600, a huge amount of money then (still is today!). But the watch sits nicely on my wrist as I type this, and I absolutely love it. I have never regretted buying it; likewise the Emergency Orbiter watch. If the worst happened I coud sell them and get back pretty much what I bought them for (but of course in real terms the monetary value has reduced, but no need to get pedantic!).

The bottom line is - if you want something, and you can afford it, then go for it. In terms of value, it is worth every penny, even though a logical argument is that such a purchase is utter stupidity, spending many thousands on a machine that does the same job as a £10 Casio.

There is also another saying: "Cost of everything and value of nothing."

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Another saying, "Buy the best and cry only once." It's a good philosophy if you don't get too literal about "the best."

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

For me it's simple. I live by numerous casinos which my wife enjoys. When purchasing another watch I just say - what you spent, I would never say lost which is factual - the past 5 months is more than my watch cost. And I still have it, enjoy it, and will pass it on to our son.

I've never had a problem.