The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So, I was running some errands today and stopped by a Costco that isn't one I normally go to. Of course, I had to see what watches they had on hand. Among the normal array of Tags, Invictas, Swiss Armys and Movados, I was rather surprised to see a blue dial Montbrillant Olympus on a blue croco strap (with tang), going for somewhere in the mid $5k range. I haven't paid much attention to the Navis before, considering myself more of a Windrider guy, but I was surprised how nice this one looked, especially once I tried it on. I'm curious about people's thoughts on the Olympus: is this one to grab before it's gone, or are there better Navis out there? That moon phase seems pretty nice, and fairly unique in the range. Is this a good find?

The Olympus on croc/tang retails for about $7700 US. Mid $5k would put it at 25-30% discount, decent price. Don't know about warranty?

I would think ADs would still have some in stock for similiar price with full Breitling warranty. I also like the moon phase but all those day/date/month functions require a lot of attention for me (no winder).

_________________
Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Actually It Is Pretty Easy To Maintain Once You Have The Functions Set Correctly And Wear The Watch A Minimum Of Once Or Twice A Week.
One Does Not Even Have To Use The Push-Pin To Set The Watch - One Can Set It Via Crown.

(My AD Advised Not To Use The Push-Pin To Set The Watch - He Claimed That In Doing So It Was Hard On The Time Piece As Far As Wear).

The Reason Why One Must Wear The Watch As Stated Is The Lack Of Winder & Anything More Than 10 Days From Where The Watch Stopped Is A Real Pain To Set Via The Crown In My Opinion - As A Result Just Keep It On A Weekly Rotation & You Will Appreciate The Complexities & Joys Of Owning Such A Watch!

Cheers,

Enezdez

_________________
IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

Jackson,

You lose warranty, not worth it IMO unless you REALLY want that piece and you can't find it at an AD. I would do it if I really wanted it. IMO if you are going to have it for years, and it is of course very high quality, not likely to need the warranty, and even if it needs service, you are still not going to be out an arm and a leg on it.

Terry,

Go look at the Wolf Designs lines of watch winder. I own a 2.7 and it's simply essential at this point. I can get you a smokin good deal on one. Even if you buy one with 2 heads, you can rotate watches through it, and have little to do but swith them around. I couldn't live without mine.

It's a good price, I know, but I was thinking more in terms of rarity than price when asking if it is a good find. When was the Olympus discontinued? In checking the archives here, I came across a thread dating back to '08 where a couple members were lamenting not being able to find one, but the Breitlingsource price list shows a price for the Olympus in '09. All I know is that the Olympus is not on Breitling's website. Is this a "one in a million" type situation where a local Costco just happens to have a highly sought-after Ling, or is the Olympus not all that hard to come by if you know where to look? I too am wary of the fact Costco does not offer a factory warranty, plus being grey market, you never know where that watch has been, even if it's genuine (which I presume it is).

BTW, I have a winder, so keeping the watch current is no problem.

I would for sure believe it is genuine.

As far as hard to find, I have never looked to be honest with you. I suppose it's relative, but if you really like it, which many do, it's a great find. If you were not going to buy it anyways, I suppose it's irrelevant.

I think it's the power of suggestion. I hadn't even thought about getting one until I saw it, but once I did, it started calling to me. The combination of the moon phase and the fact it's a discontinued model made it instantly appealing. (To say nothing of the comfort...WAY more comfortable on my small wrists than my Evo; but then, I imagine that applies to all of the smaller Navis.) I guess I should just wait a while and see if it still calls to me in another week or so. Impulse buys are dangerous at this price point. If it should end up being sold before then...well, that's life.

If I was you, I would go back to the store and look at it. Like really look at it. Put it on, move the slide rule. Close your eyes, open them looking at it. You will know.

I wish you the best on your decision. Let us know!!

The Montbrillant Olympus is not discontinued - the Navitimer Olympus is discontinued.

Costco are grey market with all of the pros and cons that go with that - although it would appear that Costco's return policy lasts forever - a member here was told he could return a watch after several years just because he didn't like it anymore.

In terms of price - it's marginally (if any) better than a decent AD will do for you.

Yeah nothing rare avout it. But an awesome piece and IMO offered by Breirling at a great price for the complications - 291/2 day moon phase, 4 year calendar. You only have to adjust it once every 4 years if you keep it on a winder. I really like mine - the white dial with the black chapter ring. Looks great on a black croco strap.

In fact, it would look even better in Reno in the fall. I hear Reno is lovely that time of year.

_________________
SHARKMAN

Roff, is there a reason Breitling doesn't show the Montbrillant Olympus on their website? They show the Montbrillant, the Legend and the Datora, but no Olympus. Additionally, none of the Navis shown on their website have a moon phase except for the Chrono-Matic QP.

More generallly, does Breitling sell models not featured on their website? This is a fundamental question I've wondered before: is the website exhaustive, or does it just present the highlights? If the latter, how are prospective customers supposed to know what all is on offer? We can't all be expected to check out the Chronolog, can we?

OK, if that's true, then I guess I don't need to jump on it, which I probably wasn't going to do anyway. But this sort of thing is frustrating for a relative newbie trying to learn what's what. I don't have a Chronolog, and since the website evidently doesn't give the whole story, where do we find these things out? I know, here is one such place, but it seems more often than not I learn here by sticking my foot in my mouth and getting corrected, which I'd prefer not to do.

How else you going to learn?? This site was created due to the general dearth of good Breitling info on internet. There is a section on the homepage that lists all models and for each gives the production years. Check it out.

_________________
SHARKMAN

I was also under the impression the MB Olympus had been retired this year.

I own the MB Olympus and I love it. Most under appreciated Breitling in their lineup. If it's true that Costcos return policy is as generous as previously stated then who cares about a warranty...if it breaks, return it and get your money back.

_________________
"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

I did already, and saw that the Olympus was listed as being in production. I just assumed it was old info and hadn't been updated, much like the price list only lists prices through '09. I based that assumption on the fact Breitling doesn't show the Olympus on their website. Now I'm just confused.