The Breitling Watch Source Forums

My local AD is giving me a price of $6800 US for this model:

Model no.ab012312/g756-ss.
Navitimer 01 limited, white dial w/ 756ss bracelet

My first reaction was thats a good price. He's states that he is the distributor of the AD that I originally got a price of $7900 from. Just wanting to get member feedbacks as there will be no receipt, cash deal.

He mentioned that he has to call breitling in CT as they were closed on friday when I talked to him, if the watch checks out fine and legit, is there something I should worry about as I feel this is a great deal. Thanks

I have heard of distributors cutting deals like this before. Just be sure the watch is legit first, because that price is 30% off retail.

Thanks for the advice

So he's the distributor for an Authorized dealer... This doesn't make sense. Breitling sells their watches directly to AD's, at least in the US. Looking at the margins, since Breitling sells to AD's for approx. 60% of retail, that doesn't make much sense.

Lets also keep in mind. No receipt, cash deal = no warranty on your new watch. If he can't show it on the books, if something happens during these next 5 years, and it goes to Breitling, you won't get it covered by warranty, since the watch is still shown as "unsold" in Breitling's inventory tracking.

Even after the warranty period runs out, you'll have the same issue when the watch goes to the Breitling Service Center.

It just sounds like it's too good to be true.

Not really.....

Breitling sells to distributors in every region of the world, distributors sell to ADs. In the US it just so happens that Breitling owns the distributor (BUSA), but that's not the norm. There are also quite a lot of US sourced watches out there with BUSA stamped in the warranty book rather than an AD.

In terms of warranty, if OP has the stamped / completed warranty book then who cares about the rest! Paperwork between AD, distributor and Breitling may be off, but that's not the OP's problem.

Precisely. OP's cash deal with the AD could simply be an attempt at avoiding local taxes but as long as the watch comes with a completed warranty booklet or the new electronic warranty gadget then the AD's receipt has zero significance as far as warranty is concerned.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Except in cases where the manufacturer requests additional documentation to show that the warranty is valid. Considering how the new e-warranty's are designed, it's going to cut out some of the grey-market's ability to sell watches.

It's not too uncommon for the manufacturer to request an original receipt. Rolex does it, Panerai does it, and I've had Breitling ask for it.

Good luck trying to enforce that under consumer protection laws anywhere in the world (including the US). If the customer has a valid warranty then they have a valid warranty. Breitling can ask for more if they want but they have no right to deny warranty coverage if a receipt isn't produced.