The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi
I´m new to all this..
And then I mean all, like everything regarding watches.. (read my introduction in the introduction forum for details...)

I´m looking for a new watch.
But I dont have to much to spend..

About 5-6 00 USD or 3 - 4 00 Euro... (Just praying I don´t insult someone with that kind of price )

Is it even possible to get an vintage, genuine of course, Breitling for that kind of money?

If not..
Any suggestions on other brands?

Thanks for the help!

No one will take offence at someone wishing to buy a Breitling! You have a budget which is very low but many of us here cannot afford to buy new from an AD and have to look for cheaper alternatives. I'm sure you're as enthusiastic as a person paying 10 times as much. In fact, you probably will get more pleasure as you will be spending a much larger part of your income than the person who can buy a new watch on a whim!

As you say, you don't have much to spend so I think you have 3 choices.

1. Look for a 1950s vintage Breitling on EBay etc. There are some which sell for a figure within your budget but I would recommend you don't buy from South America as there are a lot of "Frankenwatches" (made from more than one watch) coming from there. Of course, even if the watch is being sold in Europe, the seller may have bought it from South America so take great care in what you buy. Note that the watch will be very small compared to today's watches and, due to it's age, will not really be suitable for daily wear. Watches of this age are really only for collectors.

2. Buy an alternative brand. You will have no problem finding a nice 1970/80s Omega within your budget which you could wear every day.

3. Keep saving to get your budget up to $1000/€600 and you can then look at getting something like a 1990s Breitling Colt. One recently sold for £475 with box/papers. You could even get a chrono if you don't mind quartz.

Personally, I would recommend the third option. This is what I did to take my first step on the Breitling ladder. You can keep saving and upgrade in the future if you wish. Whatever you do, take care who you buy from. Buy the seller - then buy the watch!

The third option in probably the best Breitling wise. And I probably could aford it in a month or so, but, and there a big but, I don´t think that I want to pay that kind of money.
You see, I have never used a watch regularly before. So I don´t know if I´m going to like it or not.

Maybe I´ll go for a alternative brand, to see if I like the feeling of having something on my wrist...

But you say old watches shouldn´t be used like an everyday watch.
Why is that? Is the gear worn down?

Just thinking a bit here.. What if I buy a new watch, spend, lets say 600$, don´t like the feeling on my wrist, the watch ends up in the closet, and I lost 600$. IF I buy a vintage (80´s - 90´s watch I can use every day) of a well known brand, I can sell it aigan, and pobably wont loose so much on it.. Or is that just dreaming?

That kind of budget will push you to one of the Argentinian vintages on eBay - and I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole - virtually all frankenwatches.

Yeah..
Spent a bit time on ebay now, searching for vintage lings..
One now at 860 USD, reserve not met. Ending in one hour..
Is this still to old for using every day? (sellers seems okay here)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270226025454

Nothing wrong with that at all. It's NOS so will llikely need servicing - it's spent the last 30 years idle - factor $300 - $500 for that, maybe less as it really should just need an 'oil change'

Yeah, heard the story.
Sitting here counting every nicle once and twice...
If I don´t want it after all, I could sell it aigan... As it´s vintage, I shouldn´t, in theory, loose that much..

But think his reserve is to high anyways..

How much you lose, or gain, will depend on the price you pay. I'll always consider a vintage piece, but as a business transaction, not a charity donation

It went for 1250$, and (for once) I managed to hold my visa =P

Probably going to buy an alternative brand..
Easier to get something that suits my wallet..
Read abut NB Yaeger another place on the forum..
They look nice, time will show..
But if you have suggestions..
Come with them!
Shape the future of a possible watch enthusiast to come

That wasn't you that bought it right?

I figure that was at least $300 over what it should have sold for had it been a regular vintage piece, probably slightly more - is NOS worth a 30% premium, well, I guess that's up to the buyer......

Just saw your latest post, obviously wasn't you

A vintage Breitling can be got in your price range, and it can be a perfectly wearable piece, just bear in mind that it won't have things like sapphire crystal so you have to treat it accordingly.

I can't tell you what to do, I can say that if Breitling is what you have your heart set on then you aren't going to be happy with something else. As suggested earlier, you may be better waiting a little while until you can afford what you desire.

I'm always happy to offer thoughts on a vintage piece that you find.

My mind haven´t set on one brand particularly yet..

But there are some beautiful breitlings.
I never liked Omega for some reason..
The watches are beautiful, but I dislike some people I know that swear to Omega. And that have ruined omega for me since I was young. (eerh.. Younger that is..)

I´ll post if I find something I like, should I keep it in one topic?
Sort of an "Find a watch for Rousp" topic =P

Guess I would have to settle down to a budget at first..
But 1000$ + 25% norwegian VAT = way to much for what I feel comfortable spending on a first watch...

Would this be one of you fameous Argentinian Frankenlings?



http://cgi.ebay.com/SOLID-18kt-GOLD-BREITLING-CHRONOGRAPH-1950-ORIG-STRAP_W0QQitemZ250235805092QQihZ015QQcategoryZ31387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

One of the less common sellers, but yes.

Guess it´s best just to avoid every single watch from Argentina..

I can just imagne how scammed I would be if I tried to buy somehing from ebay without your help.....