The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi all,

I am new to this forum. My bf's birthday is coming up and he's always wanted a Breitling watch. I know NOTHING about watches and was hoping for some help.

I live in Vancouver, so the only Authorized Dealers are Time & Gold, and La Swiss. My questions are:

1.) What is the most classic Breitling watch?
2.) If anyone has dealt with these retailers, who is better with giving discounts?
3.) What sort of discount should I be expecting?

Thanks!

Welcome aboard.

The Navitimer is the most classic and iconic of the current range, and certainly the most quintessentially Breitling in terms of looks.

I'm UK based, so can't in terms of the two AD's you mention, but irrespective of that I'd suggest contacting the two North American AD's who sponsor this forum - Govberg and Provident. Speak to members jnelson3097 and FEAR. Either of those will be able to give you the very best price available.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Driver is right. They may be able to get you the best deal but you'd unfortunately get absolutely killed in duty as both of those dealers are in the US. The Navitimer is the most iconic timepiece that Breitling supply. I've dealt with La Swiss as it's the only Breitling supplier over her in Toronto, but I'd prefer to deal with a smaller "mom and pop" shop if I could. Pkeung lives in Van and may have better insight on who is better to deal with. Maybe if you've got the time or they're somewhat close together, hit up both locations and see who is willing to help you out, and who has what in stock. Also what kind of budget are you working with? Navitimers can be almost double what some other models are, but are worth every penny.

It makes no sense to buy from the US unless you are going to make fraudulent declarations on the customs forms which obviously has its own challenges - it's illegal!!

T&G has a great reputation and personally anything that takes business from La Swiss is a good thing. You should be able to get at least 25%, perhaps a bit more, and as Driver8 said the Navitimer is certainly the 'classic' Breitling as long as the lack of water resistance isn't an issue - it's not suitable for swimming or showering.

Apologies, I didn't realise customs charges were such a killer between the US and Canada. I guess a Canadian AD will be getting the business then!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

5% import duty, provincial and federal sales tax which amounts to 12% in BC, handling charges from the shipping company and sales tax on those charges. It will amount to about 18 - 19% and given that list prices are now virtually identical and the exchange rate is at par you would need to get it at 40+% off in the US to make it worthwhile.

Not trying to put a dampner on the gift/thought, but there are literally hundreds of variations for Breitling watch & strap combinations. Before you spend a bunch of money, you may want to get an idea of which Breitling he likes. Which model, dail color, type of strap, etc.. Most people do not like just "any" Breitling.

While I do own a "classic" Navitimer that has been mentioned in this thread, there are far more Breitlings out there that I do not like or want.

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Breitling Navitimer: Black Dial
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional
Steinhart Nav.B-Chrono II
Elgin-Hamilton 37500 (Aircraft Clock)

Get some Breitling pamphlets and mix them in with your junk mail for him to find.

I'm so picky about almost anything I buy if someone was to buy me such a gift I would hope making a trade would be an option. I would definitely ask that of the dealer when you make the purchase.

For me it's the same problem when it comes to buying jewlery for my wife. No matter what I get it does not seem to hit the sweet spot.
The quiet and unspoken solution we have is that I know which jewlery shop my wife goes to from time to time, especially before Valentines, birthday or wedding aniversary.
The shop owner knows us by now and when I get there a few days before one of the key dates she just says "Oh, I think your wife would really like this" wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
That's when I know my wife has been there and already made her choice
Maybe you should consider this type of "subtle" approach, if you can call it subtle

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Hi Ruby because discussing specific discounts from specific AD's is against board rules I have sent you an Email to your Breitling source email box please check it .

I'm from Vancouver as well and Have been collecting for over 35 years and have over a 130 watches and have bought from both AD's . contact me if you have questions.

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Veni, vidi, vici

That's not against the rules

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

Yeah, that's news to me too - I must have several hundred people to ban if that's against the rules - starting with myself.

Yeah, and that's only one week after he said he gets 35% off from his local AD in Vancouver. I guess you can flip a coin on which of the 2 that would be.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

I sent her a private message so no ones panties would get in a twist . And thats all . Take a chill pill . And relax.

Message subject: Re: Order is in, now i have to play the waiting game!
From: sharkman
Sent: Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:30 pm
To: supertaz1

sharkman wrote:
It's probably best not to mention the amount of a killer discount and the name of the AD in the same post. Just a thought.


I'm sorry it won't happen again .

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Veni, vidi, vici

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Veni, vidi, vici

Hi Ruby, I agree with mjfur. You might be able to make discreet enquiries with your b/f's close family members perhaps - see if they know what Breitling he likes. Whilst the Navitimer is THE classic Breitling - it's not to my taste and the water resistance (or lack of it) would be a problem for me. A lot of money to spend only to find he doesn't like it or even worse submerges it in water and it mists up from the inside .

Alternatively, you might be able to come to an arrangement with your local AD. Say, go in and agree on a maximum price - when you then arrive on your b/f's birthday with him in tow, they might be able to get out the watches up to that value with no prices displayed so that he can choose. Then you settle up the bill while the watch is adjusted and paperwork filled out. Just an idea but I would LOVE that to happen to me .

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TAG Professional (Silver/Gold) 2000 - still going strong and kept as spare when Wolf is away.
Breitling B1 (Blue) 2003 - 2008.
Breitling Airwolf (Black Sunburst) 2008 - Date.