The Breitling Watch Source Forums

For those of you who may have read my Montbrillant 01 Limited review or the "Hen's Teeth" thread, you'll know that due to a unique set of circumstances, I came into possession of a white Montbrilliant 01 and a white Old Navitimer Mecanique within a few weeks of each other. As you can see below, the watches shared a similar look:


Montbrillant 01


Mecanique

As I am absolutely in love with the Mecanique, I couldn't envision wearing the Montbrillant very often, and even less so because I have a black Datora from the same family. So I started looking for a way to offload the Montbrillant, which had barely left the box.

I inquired about a few trades, posted it in the buy/sell forum and called a few stores to see if they'd be interested in purchasing it. I knew I was in for a major haircut, given that I was selling at the absolute worst time (I had purchased the watch new from an AD at the end of April), but I was nevertheless shocked at how little I could get for it.

As a last ditch effort, I called my AD (Govberg's in Philadelphia) where I've purchased all of my new Breitlings to see if they would be willing to do an exchange. They told me they doubted that they could help me because I had purchased the watch three weeks prior and had admittedly worn it (if only for sizing) but to bring the watch in so they could look at it. I understand the economics involved here, so to say I was not optimistic is an understatement.

I was extremely pleased and surprised that, after inspecting the watch, they allowed me to exchange it for this:






A brand new Transocean Chronograph Limited

Now, the Breitling family consists of:


The Mecanique


The Datora


and the Transocean.

One final note here: Govberg's has earned a customer for life as a result of their handling of this issue. I will never by a new Breitling elsewhere. If you're in Philly, stop by their Walnut Street store and ask for Jennifer Govberg. She's new to the business but she knows her stuff, gives great customer service and is eager to learn more about the Breitling brand.

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Breitling Old Navitimer Mecanique
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Limited
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Breitling Chronomat B01
Vintage Rolex Air King

47 Jewels, Displayback, clean lines...I'm jealous! Beautiful new addition, congrats!

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Lings4life Baby...All the Way!!!! Ok....maybe a couple of PAMs....Oh alright and a Rollie too!

Great choice. Kudos to Govbergs as well.

Jon,

this is the perfect trio - absolutely stunning, and a to Govberg for that excellent
service.

Let me welcome your TOC with a pic of one of my favorites, the 1964 TopTime 810 -
can do that safely, because I will not tempt you into a new love affair . you already
have the grandson on your wrist.

Wow, kudos to Govberg and congratulations to you. I've had my TOC (silver dial) for two months and still love it. It's hard to beat classic styling.

Fred - I wonder if I'll ever buy a watch for which you don't have an ancestor...

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

Very nice change! Congrats!

well David, maybe not a Breitling, as you have impeccable taste

Great fleet. It's good you got another B01 after unloading Monty.

I think that's a very good swap, true variety now in the collection. Great customer service by Govbergs as well.

Great swap IMO, but I have to say I'm more than a little surprised that an AD would do that! An AD I used to use A LOT, did a swap for me once when I bought an M1, and decided I didn't like it, but in that instance I had owned it for all of two days AND I said I'd buy a much more expensive model instead - my first Navi World. They weren't exactly accommodating and they kind of grudgingly did it..... and that was after I'd been dealing with them for years.

Great for you (and I don't blame you at all ), but I also can't help thinking that someone is going to be buying a "brand new" Monty 01 that's been worn for 3 weeks now.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I didn't get 'worn for 3 weeks' from the story, I got 'owned for 3 weeks and tried on once'. That doesn't seem very different from sitting in a shop and being tried on by one customer, if the AD was happy that it was mint.

As I've said in other threads, re the UK distance selling regs permit returns within 7 days so, albeit with a shorter deadline, returns of this sort are perhaps getting more common .

The Monty was worn once for sizing and then boxed as I negotiated and closed the deal for the Mecanique.

And don't get me wrong, this was not an easy exchange. They went over the watch with white gloves and a loupe and I got the impression that if there had been a single scratch or smudge on the watch, it would have been a no go.

I've also purchased a number of watches from this store, which I am sure played a part.

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Breitling Old Navitimer Mecanique
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Limited
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Breitling Chronomat B01
Vintage Rolex Air King

I guess misinterpreted it.

If the AD went over it in that much detail, and was happy it was totally mint, then allowing the exchange is great customer service.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Glad to hear that they took care of you over there. It's a great store, been there a few times, and it seems like they know how to create a positive customer relationship that will keep people coming in again and again. Too many places (speaking generally, not just talking jewelers) are so short sighted that they lose potential life long customers that would spend thousands upon thousands with them, but are too concerned with the short term to see how taking a potential loss now may lead to way more profits in the long term.

I am curious too how they are going to re-sell this watch as I would think that the warranty and breitling information cards have been sent in and registered already......

Beautiful. You're killing me Fred. You know that, right? You're the one who started this whole thing in the first place.

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Breitling Old Navitimer Mecanique
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Limited
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Breitling Chronomat B01
Vintage Rolex Air King