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I heard a rumor when visiting one of the larger AD´s in Stockholm, Sweden... would be interesting to hear your opinions on this:

Apparently ETA or Valjoux (cant remember) will stop selling "modifiable" movements in 2010. This means that the manufacturers can only to use them as they are delivered and cant modify them.
This will force Breitling to do all the movements themselves, and of course the prices will sky-rocket...

Opinions? Bullcrap? True?

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Blue Baton Super Avenger
Black Avenger Seawolf

The ETA rumor is true, however what Breitling will do is uncertain. They can move in-house, or buy from a different swiss movement maker.

This old chestnut has been going around for some time.

ETA and Valjoux are both owned by Swatch who have long been threatening to stop supplying ebauche movements to companies outside of the Swatch group.

Will it happen - maybe one day. Will it happen in 2010, I very much doubt it.

There's also the option that ETA will develop release more types of movements but make them "un-modifiable", then charge more for them than today. Breitling and others will still be able to get their movements, ETA/Swatch will make more money. I doubt ETA/Swatch will turn down the income from Breitling and other brands - it should be more than just lunch money.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

The smarter move for Valjoux would be to "pre-modify" to spec, and sell that at increased cost. Breitling and others would then have to decide if the manpower and expertise not then needed to modify movements themselves would justify the price increase, or if they should move to another vendor.

I suspect the quality level would not change, which is ultimately the only concern.

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Avenger Skyland
If I said I was good, you'd think I was bragging.
If I told you I wasn't, you'd know I was lying.

I've been told by several AD's here in Belgium that the Navitimers will be getting an in-house movement in 09 as Ling is S&T of having backorders because of non supplying movement manufacturers.
This apparently has been going on now for the last few years.

Will probably mean "growing pains" and prices heading north.

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Breitling Jupiter Pilot blue/reveil
Breitling B-1 blue
Breitling B-2 blue

Yes, but as I see it all options will either increase the final price or decrease the profit.

If Breitling and others have to buy the fully finished movement for a higher cost, they will either take that cost or transfer it to the end customer.

If Breitling and others start to produce their own movements, the same thing apply. Although, I believe it will initially be more expensive to produce own movements, but probably less expensive (all variables considered as price, flexibility, supply chain...) in the long run.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I can't say I've heard too much about these rumours from my AD, but then I've not specifically asked.

I'd be in two minds about it. On the one hand making their own movements is a step in the right direction if Breitling want to enter the truly exclusive high-end watch market. (It'd also stop the Rolex mob from thumbing their nose at Breitling with the old "Yes but Rolex make their own movements" line! ) But on the other hand, cost WILL increase dramatically and you probably won't see the diversity of movements that you see nowadays as the R&D work would just be too high. What I would not like to see if Breilting just dumping unmodified ETA's and Valjoux's into their cases. That'd be a backwards step.

I've said it before (and this is irrespective of whether ETA will stop supplying movements or not), but I'd like to see Breitling have a small Manufacture range (just like Panerai) while still keeping the standard range. That'd be the best of both worlds IMO - something for the real and not to mention rich connoisseur (and also something for the rest of us to aspire to), while also keeping something affordable for us mere mortals.

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Driver8

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