The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi i just bought a SA recently brand new from the AD.
Was wondering if the value of breitling watches, in particular the SA will drop to a pittance say after 10 or 20 years?
have no intention to sell at this point of time and i am aware that breitling preowned are value for money as they have a poor resale value.
bought this SA brand new cos there was no preowned avail in the market in my country.
in addition i like it lots and was quite certain of keeping it.

_________________
Rolex Submariner 14060
Breitling Super Avenger A13370
Oris Aquis Staghorn Restoration

I think that you have already answered your own question - Breitling (and most brands) have poor resale value. Most of the drop is going to be in the first few years, and value of older pieces will be dictated by service history and condition, but just look on eBay or Chrono24 for prices of pieces that are 10 - 20 years old and you will see that they aren't great. Inflation will help to create a relative floor for dollar prices but obviously the value of the currency becomes less over time due to that inflation.

if you are at all concerned about the future value of watches I suggest that you only buy Rolex and Patek. Almost everything else will surely disappoint.

Just wear your watch and enjoy, everything is is bull****.

In most European countries 25-30 percent discount is possible if you know the right AD's. Buying with those kinds of discounts reduces the losses significantly. Currently lots of European AD's are having trouble making the targets and loosing AD status is inevitable for quit a lot of them the next couple of years. Depending on your travel options it could we worth it contacting AD's out of your "comfort zone"
If you need a model thats not available on the used market (or grey....)

The above statement is even more true as AD's will also see themselves loss their lines as more boutiques are opened worldwide. This is a growing trend not only for Breitling but all the major watchmakers in an attempt to keep money in their pockets by way of eliminating as many AD's as possible and reducing future grey market watches. Small steps now...

Maybe, but the downside is that you are then (more or less) saddled with wearing these brands only.
That would be reason enough to give up.

So, the alternative is; lose a little of your invesment but wear something choice and desirable. Sounds reasonable to me.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

have you ever owned a Patek? I am still striving to add one into the lineup. but i have been fortunate to have some friends that have introduced me to the brand. Trust me there is no downside to being "saddled with wearing these brands" as you put it.

I have never owned a Patek, although I knew a man once who had (or should I say, did). Its personal taste and price point that shapes our decisions on the watch acquisitions we make.

bwyt has decided on a Breitling SA, which is a wise choice, as this is obtainable by most, being a good high end watch and at a reasonable price. It’s a very attractive piece of kit and he will have trouble not wearing it, so addictive are these watches.

As a Rolex or Patek would be at a higher price point, the burden for him would be on either; waiting till you could afford a R or PP, and delaying the enjoyment of a good watch now, or buying one of these premium brands now and at an investment level you may not want to get into. So, I don’t see these alternative makers as a good way of him shielding against the loss of value that buying a Brietling might return, if you have to break the bank to buy in. Its a false economy.

So, buying an SA now, he gets the watch he wants and he can comfortably live with the decision he made on price. The loss of value is the trade off. We all do that, and that’s part of the obsession of watch ownership.

I think it’s a wise choice.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

i am based in SG and the RRP for SA is $8xxx.
i bought my SA brand new almost 1mth ago at $5xxx.
i bought it brand new cos there was no used SA in my country.

recently got a shock when somebody advertised to sell an SA (2009) in my country at $3xxx.
i usually saw used SA (2009-2011) at $4xxx in my country.

as such i was wondering if my SA will be worth a pittance down the road that it isn't worth to service it.
i am not sure how much is a full service for breitling in my country but omega charges somewhere around 800 for an automatic chrono.

_________________
Rolex Submariner 14060
Breitling Super Avenger A13370
Oris Aquis Staghorn Restoration

well i bought a preowned rolex submariner 14060 in 2012 and sold it off without losing money.
neither did i make any money.
i sold it cos i didnt have much feelings for it.
i have more feelings for my Breitling

_________________
Rolex Submariner 14060
Breitling Super Avenger A13370
Oris Aquis Staghorn Restoration

I agree with you. Your feeling stated above also answers your original question on whether an SA will be worth a pittance in the future. As you have great feeling for your SA, then its value in years to come is not as important. If you were buying for an investment, then perhaps it is. However, I maintain that if you have a Breitling that goes onto become a classic, and if you wait long enough, you might get your money back + Inflation in years to come. Thats drawing a long bow I know, but I think its possible.

I also think the words; worth a pittance, is too strong for the value of a Breitling in the future. Watches drop in value very quickly, but then stabilise after a number of years. It’s just like prestige vehicles, as in just about every country they do the same thing as pretige watches. But then they bounce back up if they are highly sort after, and some years down the track. So, even if I thought I was going to lose a lot of the value out of owning an SA I would not let this worry too much, as its passion that drives your interest in this watch, not a financial return.

Cheers.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

You might (stress might) be able to make that argument for one or two vintage pieces, although I highly doubt it when total cost of ownership is considered. You sure as heck can't make that claim for a Super Avenger.

And in about ten years the descent serviced and documented yellow or coral Emergencies with matching UTC are the most wanted B pieces with prices way above 10K. grab one while you can

Why do we keep going back to return on investment or resale values with reference to watches?
I never think about return on investment or resale value when I have a pint of beer or a glass of whiskey, the motive is simple- enjoyment.
Fundamentally not much difference Dollar wise between a watch and 12 months of pints
Having fun costs money! Most of the time at least

_________________
"It is just a matter of time!"

I must say that's my attitude, though admittedly more like a car than something as literally consumable as a beer! Ie I go for the one I want without worrying about a variable like depreciation. If I glanced across at the next wrist / petrol pump and thought "damn, I preferred that to mine", it would be little consolation that mine might have depreciated x% less.