The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi,
first post here. Yesterday I visited an authorized Breitling dealer in my area to have a first hand look at the Navitimer 01 46 mm. I asked what the best deal was he could give me, and he gave me 5% reduction while saying that was the maximum he could do, otherwise he could loose his dealership...
I've searched the web and this forum, and in the past, some people refer to big discounts of up to 25%. Most of the posts however are not of the recent years.

What is a realistic discount figure I can hope for with an authorized dealer in Europe? ( I'm under the impression that discounts go higher in the US )
Since I wasn't going to buy the watch right there on the spot, I didn't try to push for more discount... Basically the retail asked price was € 7070 (with leather strap and deployant ), he could do € 6716.

Thank you for your help!

I hope to be a proud owner of the navitimer in a month or two

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Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm, Chris Ward C11 MSL auto, Lüm-Tec Combat B16 auto

Welcome to BreitlingSource. The days of 25% discounts are largely over on current models, but 5% seems low. I'll let European members comment on recent experiences but 10 - 15% should be doable.

10% is more or less standard in Europe. If You are buying a non standard watch (which a new Navitimer is certainly not), You can of course get more. Specially on models no longer in the catalog.

BG
Thomas

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http://www.ellert.at

I talked to an AD and a Bretiling boutique about the same exact watch, and none of them were willing to offer me any discount at all. I was told that since it just came out, they didn't have a problem selling it fast. The only other thing that boutique offered me was an extra croc strap on a tang clasp.

Btw, they wanted around $9,000 incl sales tax of 7% on a calf leather strap with a tang buckle.

Well Alien is a European AD and sounds like he'll give you a discount

It's a bit of a long drive for me to get his shop ... probably 800 km's
Thanks for the replies so far!

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Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm, Chris Ward C11 MSL auto, Lüm-Tec Combat B16 auto

Well I don't expect great discounts on the new in-house built models, even from US dealers. They may offer a bit more if paying cash, so if I had the cash I would go that route while also making a compromise on strap options. Tough, but that's how Breitling choose to position their in-houses.

belgium ?

ermmm, fly to Amsterdam cheap , buy one in the Breitling store on Schiphol Airport (ex 21% VAT) and fly back to Belgium

you just earned yourself a 21% discount minus flight costs ?

edit:
and if you're concerned you cant buy ex VAT flying within the EU
fly from Amsterdam to Basel and back same day , spend a nice day in Basel with your new watch, for 75 euro and buy in Amsterdam
you can even pre order and ensure they have your watch waiting at the airport for you to pick up and pay

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

I offered the AD and the boutique cash payment, and they told me that they can't offer any discount regardless.

Thanks for the suggestion. I had a quick look into this option, but trying to bypass customs is a risk and then there's still the problem of their location in case of warranty issues... Finally, it's not going to be a nice experience since 1/ I have to dodge customs 2/I have to deal with a shop that apparently has salespeople who have zero knowledge about the watches they sell... 3/It's a rather sterile unpleasant location.

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Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm, Chris Ward C11 MSL auto, Lüm-Tec Combat B16 auto

Warranty isn't an issue, it's worldwide. If you would rather avoid a "sterile location" than save money just buy from the AD that makes you feel the most comfortable regardless of cost - someone has to pay for the sales person to gain that knowledge and maintain the ambience.

Customs should not be an issue as you dont leave the EU flying from Amsterdam to Brussels , so no dodging customs

They do however still give you the ex VAT price

Warranty not an issue either as they are an authorized AD

Anyway, just a suggested route that I would take if I ever wanted a new watch (any brand really)

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

@Dracha: I appreciate your suggestions. I searched the net about the Gassan shop in Schiphol airport, and it remains unclear if they really give you 21 % reduction ( for EU residents who can't use the tax-free ) or that they pretend to give you 21 % reduction, but in reallity it's still the price with no VAT included ( and so you' re still making an infringment on the laws ). Can you confirm that for EU residents they give a 21 % reduction, and that price is then VAT included? I deriously doubt this...

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Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm, Chris Ward C11 MSL auto, Lüm-Tec Combat B16 auto

He did say "ex 21% VAT".

I am flying again next month and will ask and make price comparisons
Will let you know

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard