The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the board and to Breitlings. I've been after a particular Breitling for years and finally found it at Tourneau (it's used, but that's the only way I'll get that watch); I really lucked out, I was it walking by as I had no intention of going in the store.

Anyways, the watch is priced fairly, but the bracelet on is about 4 times the value of the watch... and I don't want that bracelet. I need to get in touch with either the VP of sales or marketing as, according to the store, they're the only ones who can separate the watch from the bracelet. The store doesn't want to get involved as they're not even supposed to have that information. Could anyone give me a phone # or e-mail address? I'd really appreciate it because at this point I can't seriously consider buying the watch

Thanks,

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Paul

Just out of curosity, which Breitling is it? Have you checked other places for the watch, Torneau is known NOT to be the best place to buy a watch! There are alot of member on this board who do have extensive knowledge on Breitlings, perhaps they can help point you in a better direction?

I'm sorry but your curiosity will have to wait for now. I try to disclose the least information I can about a deal until it closes, specially when substitutes are limited. I hope you can all understand that; if I can't strike a deal, I'll let the board know about the watch as someone else might be interested since it's a limited edition.

I'm sure I have a lot of learn, including where to buy, since I'm only 22 and I have never bought a watch of this caliber. However, I fairly sure this is the only one I'll see for the next couple of years, if I ever see one again; while Tourneau, at least the local one, wouldn't be my first choice under normal circumstances, it will have to do. I have no knowledge about Tourneau as brand, but I was quite put off by my first visit to this store a couple years ago. I've been to several others and thought they were ok, but all my visits were quick in and out while I was actively looking for that watch. The only time I was impressed was at the flagship store in NYC.

I would appreciate any advice and welcome any recommended readings. While I'm new here, I'm active in other boards and realize the wealth of advice that can be found on web-boards.

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Paul

I find your post slightly insulting. I doubt anyone is going to try to steal your, so called.... great deal. If that is your fear, maybe you shouldn't go looking for help on public forums? Even if you were to tell which watch it was....how would we even know which Torneau you were talking about?!?!

I also SERIUOSLY doubt, any VP at Torneau is really going to make any sort of effort to get involved in the sale of a watch. If you were to get a personal email/phone number for a VP, do really think they would respond back? Doing a simple search via google reveals all the Execs at Torneau with their main phone numbers. This is why execs have assistants...to filter out these type of phone calls.


Good luck

All sounds a bit fishy to me....tourneau have pretty rough reviews here, why all the cloak and dagger stuff, which watch is it???, a bracelet worth 4x the watch, either its a steel watch on a gold bracelet, a gold watch on a diamond bracelet (non original) or you are being had for a mug!

we are here to help but need more info.....I seriously doubt you would jepordise your 'great deal' .......remember though My rule is if it sounds too good to be true , it is!!!

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John

Current:- Navi World, Coral SO, Panerai 219, Sea Dweller, Suunto Core etc

CORAL CLUB FOUNDING FATHER

I'm sorry that you feel insulted, it wasn't my goal. When someone post information about a rare object on a board whose audience like similar object, the odds that one reader is also looking for that same object do exist. I lost a car by asking for a local mechanic with expert knowledge that particular model and raving about the car. A smart man decided to use the DMV to find the owner and bought the car. I've met the guy and have no problem with him: he was smart, I shouldn't have shared as much info as I did.

I never said it was a great deal, I said it was fairly priced, meaning the asking price is about what I expect. White gold bracelet are about 4x the value of the watch on many Breitlings. Some watches are steel, some are titanium and some are a mix. I don't see what's so fishy about it.

I do believe a VP would return my call and get involved; their job is to assist the stores. When a store can't do something, the only way to do it is to involve someone higher up the food chain. From what I understand, it does look bad on the store, but what I ask is not foreign to the company. In these economic times, it will be easier to work out something.

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Paul

I'm not insulted at all, I would agree that a white gold bracelet is (imho) not particularly good value....expensive and less durable than very similar looking steel.

If its the watch you want then why will the store not split it from the bracelet??...probably because they would be left with a (as already said) poor value bracelet to sell.

I don't have any experience of tourneau other than perhaps 10 years of forum contributions to thisand previously other fora but for what its worth, there do seem to be a lot of complaints about them.

One thing is for sure, If you do manage to secure the watch, we are all keen to see it and congratulate you....esp as you are keeping us in suspense as to what it is exactly

Good luck with your negotiations and just keep your wits about you and most of all...keep us posted....the anticipation is half the fun about watch buying!

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John

Current:- Navi World, Coral SO, Panerai 219, Sea Dweller, Suunto Core etc

CORAL CLUB FOUNDING FATHER

Buy it as is, and sell the bracelet seperately on your own- perhaps on ebay, where you can pretty much sell anything.
If its as sought after as you claim, then thats what you have to do...

Whenever I have been in a Torneau store, tried something on, and said I don't like the strap/bracelet, Ive always been told that its no problem switching it for another-theyve been more than accomodating in that respect. The same goes for nearly all dealers I have been in.

Wave the cash or card on the counter, and make it clear you want it- but not with that bracelet.
Perhaps, being younger, they arent taking you as seriously as they should be? (not insulting you...just a sad fact of how they can be).
The store can get involved- its a simple phone call...but they can't be assed for whatever reason.

That aside, I would lay bets that whatever it is, you can find it elsewhere with a little work- I found one of mine in switzerland after a bit of searching. Torneau aren't likely to have something THAT rare..and if they did, it wouldnt be on sale for long....even at their high prices

I just got off the phone. The head of the vintage department said no to splitting it, but that they would throw in a free leather bracelet (That's like getting a free tank of gas when you buy a car). They don't break it on used watches because they can't move the bracelets, specially higher price one. If they can't move it as a retailer, I doubt I'll be able to without taking a serious hit.

The watch is the 50th anniversary of the 1952 Navitimer, it's the special edition and they only made 50 of them. It's the first time I've seen one. I tried to get one when they were new, but I couldn't get my hands on one. This particular one was #37. The watch is in good shape, but you can clearly see that it's been worn, even after they've polished it (They tried to tell me it hasn't been worn; if you're interested in buying it, make sure you see it). The initial sticker price was 21k, but it's been lowered it to 16k as a red tag item (whatever that means). They offered it at 12 on the phone which had me thinking, but I'm still not buying it. For reference purposes, the watch was listed (2004 catalog) at 3.5 new, the white gold bracelet was 14 which is now 18.
I though 16 was a fair starting price, what does everyone think? I'm fairly sure I would have been able to get them down from twelve as they didn't know I had been inside the store and talked to their salespeople.

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Paul

I'll hijack my own thread because I think it's something important to address.

I'm not insulted at all that you'd think they wouldn't take me seriously; I understand it. When I bought an airplane 2 years ago, I was scared to talk to the salemen because if I were them, I wouldn't have taken myself seriously due to my age; to make the situation worse I was wearing an old tee-shirt and flip flops. I thought I may have to prove that I was a serious buyer. I was interested in two airplanes, one company didn't want to give me the time of the day, the other treated as well as any other customers. They didn't even ask for my credential when I asked to test fly it. Guess who got my business? I'm fairly involved in aviation and other pilots value my opinion. I've cost another company the sales of at least a dozen aircraft and will continue to do so just because they acted like snobs.

I think judging customers on appearance is a really stupid thing to do on their part, specially in the town I live in (Naples, FL). The first time I walked into the local Tourneau, I was looking at the new Breitlings and Tags and their salesperson suggested I look at their used department because it's more affordable. They made it clear I wasn't the type of customer they were looking for when they have no idea what type of customer I am. Needless to say, the only way they'll get my business is when they have one of an item I don't believe I'll find elsewhere.

High end brands typically have an issue attracting new customers and their current customers are dying. They start fostering good relationship while we're young if they want us to shop there when we're older. We're an investment, over our life, we'll likely spend more than the average current customer.

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Paul

Well said Paul. Excellent post.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I totally agree, very well said p-thomas.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

One thing I've always learned and try to live by is NEVER JUDGE A MAN BY HIS CLOTHES OR AGE. You never know. Besides, young or old, rich or poor, I want to be treated the same as anyone else. Hang in there p-thomas.

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Never deny anyone hope..........it may be all they have.

PM sent

Thanks, you got one

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Paul