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Breitling Grand Premier
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Author:  cRaSiAn1030 [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Breitling Grand Premier
Hey,

I recently brought up an ebay auction for a Breitling Grand Premier, one that I unfortunately cant get :(. But since I am incredibly interested in the watch, I did a little research and found, almost nothing.... I did find that it was only made during one year, 1999, correct me if I'm wrong.

I have a few questions:

How many Grand Premiers were made? (if possible to know)

Kind of going along with the first question, are Grand Premier's considered rare?

Is there a way to find one other than on Ebay or the random used watch at an AD?

Thanks
Author:  BroncoSport [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 8:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
They are not rare, just not as popular. Breitling only made the Grand Premier in 1999 probably due to lack luster sales and that it is a 40mm watch. I would think that it was a retro attempt, since the Premier was a vintage model. I actually like the Grand Premier and would concider buying a gold one if one came up. It would make a really nice dress watch. If this one really talks to you, keep looking and have patience. They are on eBay all the time.
Author:  Robertus61 [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
A few comments:

I think the Grand Premier is rare, though I cannot tell the total output. Yes, it was made only in 1999, both the off-white and the black dial versions, steel case. I had to chase the off-white version for over two years and last fall I could buy one. It is really beautiful, I still cannot tell if this is silver, or cream, or whatever. I think the black turns up a bit more often, mine was the very first off-white dial in that over 2 years period.

Unfortunately the Grand Premier was not made in gold, only steel (39.7 mm, Valjoux 7750). The gold version is the Premier of the same period (was made for cca. 2-3 years around 1999), cca. 36-37 mm case, ETA sandwich movement (I think chrono module by Kelek that time but I'm not sure on that).

I think this is a fantastic watch on a brown croc, if you want to go out eveningtime on a suit occasion with a Breitling that is not as sporty as the vast majority. I'm very, very happy to own this one.

Hope this helps.

Best, Robertus
Author:  bnewbie [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
One sold yesterday... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT
Author:  vintage [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
I know someone that has a extra black dial Grand Premier for sale if anyone is seriously looking.
Author:  Roffensian [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
They're definitely out there, not too difficult to find if you have some patience. Obviously not that common as it was a one year production, but they are around.

I'm not sure whether Breitling produce sapphire crystals for these now but that would be a worthwhile upgrade during servicing as the originals only had mineral.

I really like the case on this - the wider lugs on a relatively small case really work in my opinion.
Author:  cRaSiAn1030 [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
bnewbie wrote:
One sold yesterday... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT


haha, ya, that's where I first found love at first sight!

So when servicing an older watch, is it really possible to request things like changing from a mineral to sapphire crystal? Like is it something that is probably uncommon but is possible?
Author:  Robertus61 [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
cRaSiAn1030 wrote:
bnewbie wrote:
One sold yesterday... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT


haha, ya, that's where I first found love at first sight!

So when servicing an older watch, is it really possible to request things like changing from a mineral to sapphire crystal? Like is it something that is probably uncommon but is possible?


I do not think it is possible and do not think it is worth: the mineral used on the GP is highly domed. To make such a sapphire costs a lot. Sinn offers for the 356 and for the 103 St such a sapphire glass: price is cca. 340 Euro! Guess what B would ask for a similar product. Plus I do not know any Ling model using a highly domed sapphire and production requires a specific machinery. I've bought my GP for 1.000 Euro w/o any bracelet or clasp. Extra price would be inhibitive. And this watch is generally not for 24/7 use, only for going out eveningtimes. WR is 3 atm. Sapphyire has similar AR coating like the mineral has. So you will treat your GP very, very carefully regardless it has highly domed saph or same mineral. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Enjoy one of the nicest recent B model!
Best, Robertus
Author:  cRaSiAn1030 [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
So, the GP is a watch that is not suitable as an "everydayer"? (I don't really wanna say beater, as I'm rarely in an environment where I would really beat up a watch)
Author:  Roffensian [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
Robertus61 wrote:
I do not think it is possible and do not think it is worth: the mineral used on the GP is highly domed. To make such a sapphire costs a lot.


Not only is it possible to have mineral crystals replaced with sapphire, Breitling does it as a matter of course now where a crystal replacement is required and they have equivalent sapphire crystals - if you ask for a new crystal (or accept Breitling's recommendation to have it replaced during servicing) you get sapphire instead of mineral when available.

The fact that it is highly domed and fairly specialist was the reason behind my comment about not being sure whether Breitling produce a sapphire version on this crystal.
Author:  Robertus61 [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
Roffensian wrote:
Robertus61 wrote:
I do not think it is possible and do not think it is worth: the mineral used on the GP is highly domed. To make such a sapphire costs a lot.


Not only is it possible to have mineral crystals replaced with sapphire, Breitling does it as a matter of course now where a crystal replacement is required and they have equivalent sapphire crystals - if you ask for a new crystal (or accept Breitling's recommendation to have it replaced during servicing) you get sapphire instead of mineral when available.

The fact that it is highly domed and fairly specialist was the reason behind my comment about not being sure whether Breitling produce a sapphire version on this crystal.


You might be right, but last year I could not succeed with the same procedure in the case of my Aviastar. I got a negative answer on supplying a saph instead of the mineral, and this happened through the general importeur and authorized service where I am usually treated as kinda VIP. Crystals are very similar on the GP and on the Aviastar - if not the very same. So now I'm very happy with the replaced, AR coated minerals on both. BTW price was very reasonable (do not remember the exact price though).

Best, Robert
Author:  Roffensian [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
Robertus61 wrote:
You might be right, but last year I could not succeed with the same procedure in the case of my Aviastar. I got a negative answer on supplying a saph instead of the mineral, and this happened through the general importeur and authorized service where I am usually treated as kinda VIP. Crystals are very similar on the GP and on the Aviastar - if not the very same. So now I'm very happy with the replaced, AR coated minerals on both. BTW price was very reasonable (do not remember the exact price though).


Right, because they don't do it for the Aviastar crystals. Again, that's why I said that it was worth doing if Breitling provided the option.
Author:  Robertus61 [ Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Breitling Grand Premier
Roffensian wrote:
Robertus61 wrote:
You might be right, but last year I could not succeed with the same procedure in the case of my Aviastar. I got a negative answer on supplying a saph instead of the mineral, and this happened through the general importeur and authorized service where I am usually treated as kinda VIP. Crystals are very similar on the GP and on the Aviastar - if not the very same. So now I'm very happy with the replaced, AR coated minerals on both. BTW price was very reasonable (do not remember the exact price though).


Right, because they don't do it for the Aviastar crystals. Again, that's why I said that it was worth doing if Breitling provided the option.


All clear now :wink:
Have a nice time Roff!
Grand Premier is wonderful regardless of crystals... :lingsrock:
Best, Robert
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