The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have been dreaming (lusting) for a Breitling for some time now. The “problem” started several years ago when I saw a Chrono Avenger for the first time and knew that I simply had to have one. I couldn’t afford one at the time so it was a non-issue. I could have put it on a credit card of course, but I have always believed that luxuries/toys/holidays etc should always be purchased with cash that has been set aside for that purpose. Not judging anyone - just my way of avoiding financial stress.

Around a year later, I got a great deal on an Oris Divers Titan Date 1000m so purchased that as my first “real” watch. Great watch, still love it and wear it almost every day. However, I never forgot the Chrono Avenger and would often find myself Googling “Chrono Avenger” just to gaze upon the pictures under the Images tab (!). When I saw Blood Diamond and paid far more attention to the Chrono Avenger than the plot of the movie, I knew I had it bad. Sounds weird I know, but I suspect a lot of you have the same affliction.

In any case, since the CA was discontinued, the blue-dialed Avenger Skyland and Super Avenger are the two that have caught my eye.

I am extremely grateful to now be able to afford either the AS or the SA with no financial stress and no negative impact on other aspects of my life. Thanks to a referral from Roffensian, I even have a great price on offer.

When I say I can “afford it w/o stress or negative impact”, I don’t mean to imply that I’m a millionaire to whom $3-4k (CAD) is pocket change. To be clear, $3-4k is a lot of money to me. I just mean that due to working really hard, being very careful with my money and saving all I can, I can pay cash for this watch and not have it affect my finances in any negative way.

Here’s the problem: I just can’t shake the feeling of guilt in the pit of my stomach. I seem to be having a case of buyer’s remorse before I have even bought the watch. I tell myself that that is a lot of money (which it is) and I shouldn’t be wasting it (which is of course highly debateable) on something I don't "need". I already have a nice watch, why do I need another? etc etc ad nauseum...

Since I suspected I wasn’t the first person to feel this way, I searched for “guilt” on the forum and found some great posts:

• In this post (http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewt ... 310#p62310) Roff said, “As I became more successful I had a tough time dealing with the 'guilt' of spending so much on an item that did the same function as something for a fraction of the price - car, watch, clothes, whatever. However there came a point when I just figured out that I was only going to get one crack at this life (as far as I know) so I might as well enjoy it the best that I'm able.”
• Here (http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewt ... 086#p50086) mah said, “You will get used to wearing a nice watch. It is money well spent. You deserve it, What else can I say?? I used to feel a little guilty about having more than one nice watch. It was a struggle but I got over it. Work through the pain, wear the watch, live guilt free.”
• In that same thread, Driver8 said, “It's a shame to feel any remorse as part of buying these things is the 100% enjoyment they can give you. However, if you feel even slightly guilty, just look at it this way - your SA could quite conceivably last you a lifetime if you look after it. Even if it lasts you 40 years, the original cost is peanuts when spread over that many years. I don't know what you paid for it, but if it was say $4000, over 40 years that's just $100 a year! Or $0.27 per day! Small price to pay IMO. Enjoy it.”
• Finally (in that same thread), Roff added, “The money thing used to really bother me - probably because there wasn't a lot of money in my upbringing, but the way I look at it is very simple: 1) I worked for the money I have 2) I never spend money that should be spent on mortgage / investments / bills / etc 3) It's foolish to try and put a price on happiness - spending less on something that doesn't make you happy is naive 4) The enjoyment will last long after the cost is forgotten 5) There's no point in being the richest guy in the graveyard”.

Words to live by. I can’t argue with a single statement above. Looking back, when I got the Oris four years ago (went from a simple $150 Luminox to the Oris), I definitely had feelings of guilt, but over time they wore off and I simply enjoyed a beautiful watch. However, I justified it as my “one” nice watch.

This Friday, I will be in the vicinity of the Toronto AD that was recommended to me (no AD in my city) and I will see if I can put theory into practice and actually pull the trigger on the AS or SA.

Since I am prone to guilt over having and enjoying nice things and clearly have a tendency toward “paralysis by analysis” (oh really? ), I have no idea what will happen – it could go either way. I could be wearing a beautiful new Breitling Friday afternoon or I could just be driving myself mad with more doubt and pros vs. cons analyses. Will update you either way.

Sorry to ramble. Any thoughts or similar experiences anyone wants to share?

Thanks.

Interesting......

I'm a big gun guy and have a lot of these toys. I have felt guilty about all of them after the purchase. And.... they typically all cost less than the Steelfish I just bought today.

I don't have any guilt about the watch!!!!!!!

I carry a gun daily, but can't pull it out and show it. The watch can be seen by all. I can show it to enthusiasts. I can and will use it daily. The gun is just an occasional tool.

You know.... I gave up a chance to buy a Tommy Gun for this watch and I have no guilt at all.....

There is guilt but it goes away as time passes by...

The simplest way to get rid of the guilt of buying a $3,000 watch is to buy a $6,000 watch later on.

My thought are as follows: f you saved up for it, you're not taking food out of your kid's mouth to buy it and it won't put your marriage at risk, do it. I'd be surprised if you regret buying it, wearing it, enjoying it, or even getting the first scratch on it. But in the event that you do, you can always sell it second hand and you'll never have to wonder again.

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Coral Dial SuperOcean
Black Dial Avenger Skyland
Arctica Dial Bentley G/T Racing

Coral Club Founding Father

Well whatever happens I think you'll have a pleasurable experience on Saturday. Good luck, and go with your heart, in the moment, it's rarely wrong.

I'm sure you will do the right thing for you.

Just do it.
I thought I could possibly regret the purchase, since it is a lot of wedge, but I love my SA more every day!
I plan to keep it a long time so it makes sense, or at least that gets me through the night

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Guns and watches? If you take out your gun you´ll quickly realise everyone running away and no one is left to talk about the watch. On the plus side you´ll probably get a lot of free stuff before they take off.

...Aanyway, I love all quality stuff, but I hate spending. I put careful considoration on every purchase I make. When I´ve desided to buy something I want to be very sure it´s well made, something I really need or want and will use. I disslike clutter and excess stuff, so I try not to gather or save useless junk.

I still make impulse purchases, but then I´m always sure right away it´s going for good use and enriches my life in some way. I try to avoid buying anything unneccery and only time I get a guilty concience (we call it purchase hangover) is when I´ve bought something I don´t use or it turns out to be poor quality. This doesn´t mean I always buy expensive things. It means I do my home work and make an informative choise for whats best for what it´s needed for.

As the world is getting piled over with masses of cheap expendable crap. I try to buy less and put my money where I feel it counts the most. I also want to support brands with substance and integrety.

Like with my watch. I admired Lings for several years. Didn´t buy one because I felt designer watches were good enough. Untill I woke up one day and thought I´de been wanting a Breitling long enough and desided to get one. After two weeks of research and many hours spent at Breiling Source. I knew just what I wanted. I haven´t felt guilty or regretted for a minute. On the contrary, I´ve enjoyd it every second and want a couple more for different occasions.

My mother always said, if your not rich you can´t afford to buy cheap!!!

I had the guilt before I bought my first B. After I bought it, it faded away day after day. I was so overjoyed by it, that I was sure I had spent my money well. Im a person that has no problem spending large amounts of money on loved ones, but have a very tough time spending it on myself. Its a strange thing. Im a bit less sensitive with watches now though, after having gone through 3 B's in the first 3 months of buying my first about 18 months ago. Ive got my eye on some much more expensive non-B pieces now as well, but im still happy enough with my Skyland, so im holding off. It gets easier, I swear...too much easier... Sometimes we pay people 40 bucks to cook us a steak that we could have done for half the price ourselves...but the enjoyment you get from having a nice night out with your family or with the boys is worth the extra dough.

If its not going to affect your financial situation adversely, go for it--its just money--isnt this why we work in the first place? Get the watch and dont look back.

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-RJ

I was horribly afraid I would have some guilt after buying my SA. The size worried me. The color worried me. But after more than a year pondering it, I went for it. Using the "life is short; might as well enjoy it" rationalization, of course!

Thus far, I have no guilt whatsoever =D

The only time I would feel guilt, is if I thought my purchase adversely affected someone else. By purchasing a fine watch, I am giving myself joy, helping keep my AD in business, helping the economy in general going, helping the watchmakers. For me it is exactly the reverse: I am bringing pleasure and good fortune to so many people, including myself.I wish only that I could afford to buy more watches! One of the biggest pleasures in my life at this point, is being able to purchase and own a few quality timepieces. I feel no guilt whatsoever when I gaze upon my brand new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Caliber 8500. It is the most beautiful object I have ever owned! I feel only pleasure.
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

i feel bad for about a hot second pulling the cash out to pay, but then i get it on my wrist and it is all forgotten. until my wife asks where her gift is ofcourse!!!

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Emergency
Bentley GT
Chrono Colt
Avenger Skyland Blacksteel
Steinhart LE#9/15

Go for it, Joe. There's no guilt in working hard, saving money and spoiling yourself with a luxury item once in a while.

Nick

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Avenger Seawolf
Chrono Avenger
Aerospace
SOHC LE

I wonder if he was expecting us all to say "Nah. It's not worth it. Invest in mutual funds instead"?

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Coral Dial SuperOcean
Black Dial Avenger Skyland
Arctica Dial Bentley G/T Racing

Coral Club Founding Father

I used to do a little pro'ing and con'ing about any purchase really and then grew out of it. We all work pretty hard for our incomes and in my opinion it's important to spend some of what one earns on something one really wants. Obviously (at least to me ) responsibilities and commitments come first. It's then also wise to put some away in investments etc but a portion of one's income has to go to fun stuff and for me a luxury watch(es) that I really want is a part of that.

There's nothing wrong with checking it out but if you wait it and can justify it I say go for it. You really won't regret it if it's something you truly want and as others have said, in the grand scheme of things (the long term) it's really worth it! I absolutely love my 1903 and that's all that matters in the end

Good luck!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Gents - thank you very much for such great thoughts and observations. Good to see we're all on the same page here.

Looking forward to Friday's visit to the AD and again, thank you all very much.