The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have to agree that Joe's posts have been some of the best threads over the past year!

Dr. J.. you're right.. I've been using the "view active topics" button for several years. I guess I should check out some of the "stickies".

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

Some good ideas. I particularly like the one about visiting ADs and taking pictures and dedicated reviews. Many valid comments, Wessa's comes to mind, that so much has already been discussed and learned on the basics. I think my first post in early 2010 was asking for the difference between a caliber, ebauche and chablon.

The site's mission statement says -

"I started this Breitling information site because I noticed a lack of information on Breitling watches on the internet. There was always something I could not find, or had to spend a ridiculous amount of time to find it. Information on calibers/movements, bracelets, casebacks, and model productions years among other things were always so difficult to find!"


I think we take for granted what the site has accomplished. Admin's vision succeeded - google a Breitling question and BS is one of the top hits.


Which brings us to the problem as I see it - sorry to beat the proverbial dead horse - Breitling. Let's face it, interest once soared with new watches or the first post with pics by a member who acquired a recent offering. If the brand does not produce a bevy of excitement, a site devoted to the brand has trouble generating participation. Many active members considered Breitling "OUR" brand and felt somewhat betrayed, leading to an exodus to other brands. Want proof? This year's Basel generated more excitement and involvement here than anything I've seen in years - mostly over ONE watch! To be fair, the excitement was as much about the trend we hope that watch represents. Thus, the Airborne is more than a nice watch, it seems significant. Most other interest generating threads in the last couple years lamented Breitling's offerings and direction. This is consistent also with Vintage threads dominating the site. Vintage is constant and, thus, interest does not wane. New watches change, and when the change is perceived negatively, interest does wane. We can only sustain interest so long by bitching (said by one of the main bitchers).

Mostly, the site has become a place to out eBay listings, primarily Vintage, the last couple years, and post wristies. I don't see a problem with either, including the cooing and "Thanks!" on WWAYWT, which some seem to dislike, but with apologies to The Godfather - "After all, we aren't curmudgeons."


At the end of the day, I believe interest in this site goes as interest in Breilting goes. Imagine the interest and participation over the last 3 years if this site was omegasource.com, as Omega made incremental changes with new movements and quality materials while maintaining the essential "look" of their watches. Breitling has made a good re-start recently. More than anything else, we need help from the brand!

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SHARKMAN

I agree that this year's Basel generated more interest than in years past but to be fair there were a few solid offerings this year. Airbone, the 46m Navi for the big wrist crew, and the new colt is very nice. I hope the brand starts going in the right direction again. Back in the day, it seemed like every week someone was posting a watch review of a new watch from other brands, Altair, Sharkman, and a few others. That has since stopped and there hasn't been much talk about other brands or Breitling's new watches which is why I think we need a 'reviewer' or possibly even and AD to post more photos and reviews of watches in their stores, similar to what Ricardo used to do.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Well, sure, that is true. But the big boost was a step backwards for the Chronomat design. I'm still holding my breath for the Superocean line.

As for reviews, I am leery of it being someone affiliated with an AD. Not much objectivity in reviews by anyone, but none for those with financial ties to the brand. Someone needs to step up and begin a 2 year buying binge!

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SHARKMAN

Don't tempt me, I can't afford that again....and if you start buying again then I'll be spending money buying them from you....can't have that happen again. You make a good point tho that it can't be someone associated with an AD because they can make even the ugliest watches sound good.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Thanks Tunnel Ling & Dr J

Its nice to know people enjoy my posts I hope to make them longer and more detailed. Should be some interesting posts coming in the next few weeks as we have some special visits. Thanks

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Rolex GMT 2
Breitling for Bentley GT Racing
Ball World Time Diver
Rolex precision oysterdate
Breitling chronometre bi metal
Omega seamaster professional chronometer
Ball fireman
Rolex datejust diamond bezel
Rolex Explorer 39mm
Omega James bond 50th

Yep, I third this. George at Govberg used to do that blog for a while. I found it interesting.

We could ask for volunteers to be BreitlingSource reps and go out to do interviews with various people in the industry. Hell, maybe we could even get in front of some Breitling executives.

We could also hold more formal events in which we get various people from the industry to come speak at an evening or all day discussion forum. Given our disparate locations around the globe, I'm not sure how feasible this is, though. We could co-sponsor events with Paneristi.com or TimeZone.

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Just a thought. Perhaps we can have a 'what were they thinking !' thread. It could be devoted to Breitling but maybe a wider appeal by including other makes. It could be articles or actual models released now or yesteryear or perhaps some of those innovations that we don't quite get the point of. Yes I can see it now!

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Jim

"You have Control".

I don't know if the 'thread starting' ideas are going to work. Roff started a good thread about what Breitling's material focus should be and it only got 30 responses. This thread has gotten less than 40 responses. A few years ago they would have both gotten a few hundred responses. Maybe this is just a case of people losing interest and not wanting to participate? I'm curious to know if 'site visits' have dropped over the past few years or if posts counts have decreased? It seems like the same few people are only ones contributing lately.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

I have another idea to liven up BreitlingSource . . . get Archie back on the forum!

For the newer members who may not be familiar with 'ol Archie, do a search. Some good stuff in there.

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

This is a rip off from other sites and don't know how it will go down, but with all the effort Fred and others do on identifying fake/frankens how about a section on honest looking/second hand ebay breitlings- it seems to work quite well at omega forums. Obviously a disclaimer may well be needed so no one could say "you said this was.... " if they got stung and only promotion of your own listing if you are up front about it!

Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

Holy crap!!!Don't you dare.
That guy was 100x worse than that wanna-be lawyer who bitches about everything!!

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)