The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi all

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to help me so far. Being a noob, I really appreciate it

I think I've settled on a cockpit big date. I would like some feedback on some digging I've done. I am largely indifferent between the old style with concentric circles vs the newer square design. I am also leaning towards black or silver faces.

1) I am still debating new vs pre-owned. I am guessing private party sales - preowned should 50-60% MSRP. Pre-owned asking prices are 35% off MSRP and seem to be a wash with new from grey market dealers (30-35% off MSRP) and new from AD at 30-25% off MSRP.

If I buy grey, then AD will NOT service the watch; is that right? How do you get a grey market watch serviced?

2) There was a pretty big price bump from 3100 to 3565 (2008-2009) for the watch head in SS. Is there anything to really justify this? (is 2009 a better watch?)

If you were me, what would you do?

Prices went up a lot in recent years, no significance to the watch. The last change to the Cockpit (pre Galactic) was 2008 when they introduced the square in the dial.

If you are looking to buy new then remember that they aren't making the old style cockpit any more. They have changed the bezel to the B01 style with the rebranding as Galactic.

ADs don't service watches anyway, service centres do and most ADs are not service centres - generally speaking major servicing is done at a central service centre (large countries like the US have some regional ones too). As long as the watch has the serial number intact Breitling will service it, but a grey market watch will not have a factory warranty (except in very rare circumstances). To me the value of the warranty is worth far more than the couple of hundred bucks that you might save.

If you are seeing pre-owned pieces for 35% off of retail then they are overpriced. These pieces were never huge sellers and definitely don't command a premium on resale.

Thanks Roff

I was thinking the cockpit (w/o the mini-dials) would be a low volume piece. When I think Breitling, I think of a watch styled like the Chronomat

COCKPIT BIGG DATE IS AN EXCELLENT PIECE, HAVE HAD MINE NOW FOR OVER 2 YEARS.. IT HAPPENS TO HAVE THE CURCULAR MILLED DIAL, AND NEVER NOTICE IT, EXCEPT IN BRIGHT SUN LITE. HAVEN'T SEEN THE NEW SQUARE DIAL;YET- WITH THE EXCELLENT NEW BEZEL; BUT CANT WAIT TO SEE IT. MY WATCH RUNS ABOUT 2 MINS FAST; A MONTH; SO WHEN SET THE DATE ON THE FIRST, ADJUST THE TIME, AND DONE. ITS SUBLETY GORGEOUS.. MANY PEOPLE BUY CHRONOS AND RARELY { IF EVER }USE THAT FUNCTION. I NEVER NEED A STOP WATCH, SIMPLY WANT A LUXURY TIME PIECE, OUT OF THE ORDINARY WITH SUPERB QUALITY. COCKPIT NON-CHRONO FILLS THE BILL; PERFECTLY. AS FAR AS DISCOUNTS GO IN SOUTH CALIF, THE AD'S ARE TIGHT... MAY DEALERS AROUND, AND DEMAND IS FAIRLY HIGH. SO NO NEED TO. I HAD TO GO BACK SEVERAL TIMES WITH CASH TO GET 15 %.......GET THE WARRANTY, AND ENJOY..

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Keepin' Time...