A while ago, a discussion the idea of getting a custom made LE started while seeing 50th Anniversary models of the SOH 38/46.
After some wild ideas a mock up of a model that met several member's interest was made by Mario. However, remember that at this stage nothing is even close to decided yet:
Roffensian is currently working on gathering interest, so please fill out this form and send it to him:
http://www.roffensian.com/BreitlingLE.xls
It all comes down to find enough people willing to pay the cash, and as hinted below probably up front too.
Roffensian has also started to get Breitling to approve of us as a potential group trustworthy enough to move on with this idea.
Roffensians communication so far have resulted in that Breitling will consider producing us an LE watch, and are open to a number of different possibilities. However, they do need some assurances before they will commit to anything. The first point that they made is that cost will be based on the standard list price of the model plus list price of all options that we add. Discounts will be available because an AD will pay x% of list and then sell for whatever - same concept as a regular model. As some kind of comparison a logo generally results in around an $800 lift in the list price.
They will consider custom dial colours / features
They will consider a custom bezel colour on an SOH series (less relevant to other watches)
They will consider a DB for certain models (no details)!!
They will consider a run as small as 25 depending on the watch / customisation - but price will be higher per unit than a run of 50 - obviously
They will consider engraving on the caseback (beyond the xx/xx)
Here's the flip side:
They need to review the prospective buyer and approve them. They initially asked for a profile of the company making the purchase. Roffensian explained that it was a community, not a company and they said that the principle was the same - a profile of the group, history, goals / aims etc. Breitling haven't done something like this earlier. A community would be considered against the same standards as a company - this is all about protecting the brand.
thelynchmob4 contributed with own experience from the process of buying a LE:
And here are the Group Order Requirements, directly from Breitling:
CUSTOM LOGO WATCH ORDER REQUIREMENTS
• 3 models are available for logo printing: Emergency, Airwolf and Aerospace – please see our website to view dial color options
• For the Emergency & Airwolf watches: a minimum order of 50 pieces is required of the same dial color and same logo design.
• For the Aerospace: a minimum order of 25 pieces is required of the same dial color and same logo design.
• Camera-ready artwork for logo sent by e-mail file, preferably jpeg. Artwork sent must be exactly how you want it to appear on the dial (images of patches or pins are not acceptable)
• Pantone color numbers (PMS) are required (A Pantone color is an international printing language providing an accurate method for the reproduction and control of color) – we cannot create an image or logo dial without these numbers
• Prepayment in the form of one bank check is required after the image of the watch has been approved by squadron – we cannot accept credit cards
• Shipment of watches are made to one U.S. address, not to individual addresses – we do not charge for freight. APO addresses are okay
• Sales tax is charged on orders shipping to CT, NY, FL, IL & CA only
• At least 6 – 7 month approximate delivery time after image has been approved and payment has been received
• Custom logo orders are Final Sale - No returns or exchanges
• Prices available upon request
TIMEFRAME OF CUSTOM ORDERS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:
1. Group leader chooses watch model, dial color and attachment, then sends camera-ready artwork via e-mail to: susan.mcdonald@breitlingusa.com
2. Breitling USA will send artwork to Breitling SA home office in Switzerland to create an image of your watch choice with logo on the dial. This usually takes about 2 weeks
3. Breitling USA will send watch image to squadron leader for approval.
4. Group leader sends check for entire order made out to Breitling USA. Check is sent attention; Susan McDonald to Breitling USA, 206 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897
5. Breitling USA places watch order with Breitling SA
6. Breitling USA will deliver custom watches once they arrive from Breitling SA approximately 6-7 months after order date – watches can be delivered all at once or as they are received in batches.
Hopefully people will find this easier now, and hopefully we'll make it happen.
(The background can be found here:)
http://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/v ... sc&start=0
Me too.... on all counts. I'm also more than happy for it to be a smaller run in order to get this done - in fact I'd ENCOURAGE it - BUT I'd have to be careful if limiting the run pushed the cost up significantly. (I've already mailed Roff with the max I'd be prepared to pay).