The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Thanks a lot. Have you noticed the new SuperOcean catalog shot shows "SuperOcean II" ? Does that mean the current SuperOcean would stay in production? If yes, then I'll be a very happy guy, and stop complaining about the new SO

The original SO has been discontinued.

did they opt to discontinue due to poor sales?

No idea what sales were, they are a private company and don't announce. COSC can give you an idea of total numbers, but not by range. The SO was discontinued because ofthe introduction of the new SO II.

Based on the latest interview of Jean-Paul Girardin, Breitling's VP, he estimates the launch of the B01 successful with 30'000 pieces produced and heard nothing from the customer service, so no problems so far.

The B01 is a movement designed as a platform for further functions which will come in the future, just be patient, he says.



Baselworld 2010 is focused on the mid-range field and the clientèle targeted is those that do not wear a watch anymore: the younger generation. That is why they presented a new SO, "with atttractive, cool design" he says.

Finally, for Breitling, design is created completely in-house, he says, produced by a small team, including posters and films. They have the advantage to react quickly and avoid "the big fish". Being one of the last watchmakers under family ownership, he hopes that they will stay that way.

_________________


- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

Can you link to that interview?

In the past Girardin has always said capacity of 30,000 per year (different from the 50,000 that Breitling have also mentioned), never that they have actually produced that many. It also implies that something like 1 in 6 or 1 in 7 Breitlings from 2009 was a B01 which is highly suspect.

Finally, it is at complete odds with your post of February 24th where you stated that Breitling could only produce 4 - 5 per day (what was the source for that?) - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16716&p=129334#p129334

Sure Roff,

the link is http://media.messe.ch/epaper/BASELWORLD ... flash.html , on top of page 2 of the BWDN, Sunday edition.

As for my post Feb 24, it was taken from a Swiss paper, Sunday 21st edition. Guess the reporter did not do his job correctly!!

_________________


- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

Interesting - 30,000 movements produced - not necessarily 30,000 watches, I wonder how many are still sitting in the production facility? I wish that these interviewers were more aware of what their interviewees have said in the past so that they could clarify these statements!

I think that there is one very telling quote there "We don't conduct any market research. We believe.....our customers will follow the brand". M. Girardin may be in for a surprise.

That's the problem with "general" interviewers who very often do not master their subject.



That is exactly what I thought, having read all the negative reactions in this thread. Maybe someone should send our comments to him, just for info or pre-market research!

_________________


- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

I've not had a lot of time today but couldn't let that comment by Girardin go -

What an arrogant fool. Companies spends millions of pounds a year on market research for a reason, so Girardin should ignore that at his peril. I just hope a few more people other than us vote with their feet and take their cash elsewhere. Irrespective of the (hideous) new designs, that comment alone makes me not want to spend another penny on Breitlings. Unbelievable arrogance! There's no way on earth I want to be contribuing to paying that idiot's wages anymore.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Said pretty much the same thing in another thread.

I sincerely hope that someone does take them over - these guys don't deserve to run this company. If I thought that I could be successful then I would try to find backers for a takeover myself.

I agree 100%. It's just unbelievable to hear this coming from the VP!

Last time I heard this kind of arrogance was from GM about 3 years ago. They were supremely confident in the "GM way".

They ended up making cars for a customers that didn't exist because they were so out of touch (see: Pontiac Aztec). Shortly after their market share dominance fell by the wayside and then bankruptcy....

_________________
“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Just seen your post in the other thread Roff. Very similar sentiments, and (as it would seem) sentiments shared by a few more of us on here too. In fact, pretty much any self-respecting buyer should feel at least slightly irritated with comments like that from a senior exec. I'm sure that us WIS make up quite a small percentage of Breitling's sales but to basically say "I don't respect the consumer's opinion at all" is very narrow minded, arrogant, and shows a level of disconnect from the from grass-roots fan base. Oh well...........

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

The comments are disappointing theres no doubt about that even if thats what they believe they shouldnt say so - so publically anyway on another score as I said in another thread went to another local AD yesterday, there service outstanding, anyway I asked about how Breitlings were selling, the AD said they are moving quite afew and in particular in Australia, the Bo1 is being moved well. So thats good to hear. Australia is a small market, nevertheless its good to know that the Bo1 is gaining popularity in this part of the world.

_________________
Breitling Chronomat BO1 Riviera Blue Dial Stainless Steel Case and Pilot Bracelet