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So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday...
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Author:  dlNYC [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:37 am ]
Post subject:  So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday...
To check out some of the new B'Lings. It was a local Tourneau, and so not necessarily a great place to buy, but they do have a pretty large selection of Breitlings to look at. Anyway, I was actually surprised the salesman kinda knew what he was showing me, including knowing the diameter size of the watches I was looking at, as well as whether or not they had the B01 in-house movement in them. They must be training the sales staff a little now. :) He took a wrong guess that the Crosswind Special I was wearing was a Chronomat though, and looked confused when he looked at it closer, as I don't think he's ever seen one. Told him it was only made from 2000-2004, and then he proceeded to try to show me some Limited Edition Breitlings.

Anyway, I have never yet handled the newer B01 Chronomats before, so asked to see them. First I tried on the Chronomat 44, and thought it sat very nice and flat on the wrist (almost wrapping around it). It looks nice, but I think they went back a little step by changing the bezel so much (eg. getting rid of the rider tab look which was so representative of Breitling style). I also didn't dig the square motif in the dial. It would be nice if they offered a dial configuration without that darn square IMO. Finally, the watch, when seen from a distance just doesn't seem very recognizable as a Breitling anymore. I think they went back a step by changing the design so much actually.

After that, I tried on the Chronomat GMT in the larger size (I think it's 47?). Anyway, that watch felt real solid and I actually am starting to really like that big arse watch look. Always thought my Crosswind Special at 44m was the largest I could go, but after trying on the larger Chronomat, I think my Crosswind is too small now. lol.

Then came the Super Avenger. I really like the sheer size and presence of this watch. It felt and looked really, well...massive on my wrist. I actually loved the look! If Breitling made this with the tri-compax subdial layout, I'd really really want one. Even without that though, it was real nice, and I wouldn't mind having one in my stable now. I'm glad they kept the more traditional rider tab style bezel on these, and hope they keep it that way. He then showed me some Bentley models, and those didn't impress me at all. For some reason, I just think the Bentley theme is a bit tacky, and I don't own a Bentley, so wouldn't be interested in a Breitling made for Bentley. If the styling appealed to me, maybe I'd be interested, but it doesn't. The salesman even disparaged the Bentley models a little, by saying they only have the non in-house movements in them, and thus, weren't really the top model line for Breitling. All in all, a fun time, and if there's one thing I learned, it's not good to go to these places often because it stirs up an itch again which can be very costly! ;)
Author:  CH-dmath [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
It's a real pleasure to browse when the sales staff are enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Thanks for the report.
Author:  jlee5050 [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
On occasion Tourneau has its moments. I had a decent experience with the sales manager at one in my city awhile back. The dude knew his stuff.

And then you have moments where they hire busty sales girls whose shirt blouse just happens to be too tight wearing also a too tight pencil skirt to sell purely on sex appeal. Didn't work for me but nevertheless for once I walked into a Tourneau for the first time not for the wrist eye candy. :wink:
Author:  JorgeB [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
Your writing style reminded me of the book catcher in the rye :lol: maybe cause i just read the book.

Anyway great report!, i agree that when a salesman knows what they're talking about makes you feel good, not like those that you actually have to teach them about what they're selling.

I agree the new bezel and the square look a bit odd at first but after a while they kinda grow on you, at least in my experience.
Author:  nr123 [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
jlee5050 wrote:
On occasion Tourneau has its moments.


On rare occasion....

I think I am banned from that store.
Author:  angstfree [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
Tourneau cannot be totally "discounted" as a lost cause. They accept trade-ins,
& a watch bought from them can be traded later for original purchase price. With
no depreciation, along with periodic sales, especially after XMAS, & the ability to haggle,
there are worse places to purchase. With the new 5 year warranty on Breitling in-house
calibers, + Tourneau's extra year, you are in a very good position. If service is required,
Tourneau is your intaker, saving you freight, insurance, & aggravation charges. I'm not
affiliated with Tourneau, nor related to any of its namesakes or employees.
Author:  JacksonStone [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
dlNYC wrote:
First I tried on the Chronomat 44, and thought it sat very nice and flat on the wrist (almost wrapping around it). It looks nice, but I think they went back a little step by changing the bezel so much (eg. getting rid of the rider tab look which was so representative of Breitling style). I also didn't dig the square motif in the dial. It would be nice if they offered a dial configuration without that darn square IMO. Finally, the watch, when seen from a distance just doesn't seem very recognizable as a Breitling anymore. I think they went back a step by changing the design so much actually.

I agree with everything you've said here. The first time I tried on a Chronomat 44, I was impressed that it seemed to fit more flush with my wrist than the Evo, even though, in theory, it's just as thick. I didn't pay enough attention to the lug overhang, though; I would need to look at it again, because if the lugs extend past the edges of my wrist, it's a no go. At 44mm, that's a definite possibility, given the size of my wrist. I also thought the endpieces on the Pilot bracelet were exceedingly well done - a definite step up from earlier models. The watch I saw also had a brushed bezel, and I was surprised that I didn't hate it - in fact, I actually sort of liked it. I agree that it's not as "classic" Breitling as the early/mid-2000 models, but it still had an appeal to it. The real pisser is the square dial, as you mentioned. The one current Chronomat I could see myself maybe getting (if it weren't so damn expensive) is the Flying Fish on Pilot, but even that still has the square in the dial, which is a real turnoff. If they returned to a more classic dial design, like the basic sunray pattern of the pre-Evo Chronomats, it would be a winner of a watch, even with that Buck Rogers font. That said, I'm with you: I still like the older models better. That Crosswind Special you have is awesome.


dlNYC wrote:
Then came the Super Avenger....I'm glad they kept the more traditional rider tab style bezel on these.

I'm not sure they have "kept" them, so much as they just haven't gotten rid of them yet. The current SA design dates back to when rider tabs were the norm, and is among the oldest of Breitling's current offerings. If/when Breitling does redesign the SA, who knows where they'll go with the rider tabs. They've ditched the tabs on every other model that had them, so I wouldn't hold out much hope they'll stick around on the SA.
Author:  dlNYC [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
Thanks for the comments guys. Yes, I agree...in general, I think they have been moving away from the older designs, including switching over their chronos to the tri-compax layout (Navi and Chronomat), and it's only a matter of time before the rest of the line changes. I just wish they'd at least keep their signature rider tab look intact, as to me, that's Breitling. Rolex, for example, slowly improves and evolves their designs instead of radically changing them. I like that, but unfortunately their current designs don't interest me. The multi-colored subs almost make me wanna barf.

I would like to see a Super Avenger done in a tri-compax subdial layout and a reissue of the Crosswind Special in a larger 47mm! :)
Author:  nr123 [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
angstfree wrote:
...a watch bought from them can be traded later for original purchase price. With
no depreciation...


For how long? So, if I went and spent $10,000 on a watch there, can I go a year later and trade it in for another one (without depreciation on the one I bought)? That wouldn't be such a bad deal then.
Author:  Cavalieresq [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:32 pm ]
Post subject:  So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday...
nr123 wrote:
angstfree wrote:
...a watch bought from them can be traded later for original purchase price. With
no depreciation...


For how long? So, if I went and spent $10,000 on a watch there, can I go a year later and trade it in for another one (without depreciation on the one I bought)? That wouldn't be such a bad deal then.


From what I understand, that deal is only good on Tourneau brand watches.
Author:  pbateman [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
Cavalieresq wrote:
nr123 wrote:
angstfree wrote:
...a watch bought from them can be traded later for original purchase price. With
no depreciation...


For how long? So, if I went and spent $10,000 on a watch there, can I go a year later and trade it in for another one (without depreciation on the one I bought)? That wouldn't be such a bad deal then.


From what I understand, that deal is only good on Tourneau brand watches.


Unless they've changed their policy, I believe you're correct, Tourneau brand only.
Author:  nr123 [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday..
That sounds reasonable. I wish it was on all brands, but doesn't seem practical from a business perspective.
Author:  sharkman [ Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  So I visited a local AD during my lunch hour yesterday...
And the trade in/purchase is a bit one sided. Sure they will take a trade and offer you near to high used value, but you get Zero discount on the new model. Say you are trading a Superocean on a Chronomat 01 - you are better just not doing the trade and taking the standard 20% Tourneau discount. Whereas all other ADs I've dealt with will take a trade AND give their standard discount which is more than 20%. I've dealt with them a couple times - don't like them.


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