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Bentley Le Mans dilemma - help? (Driver8 ?)
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Author:  swiftnick [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:57 am ]
Post subject:  Bentley Le Mans dilemma - help? (Driver8 ?)
Hi guys,

I know the answer is one I have to find myself but would really appreciate your views on this one (esp Driver8 as he has a Le Mans).

My most recent purchase was the Chrono-Matic LE 24 hour dial. It took me a while to find one (and when I did, it was a new one). I was also in the lookout for a Bentley Le Mans 24 as an alternative.

A reputable dealer I know well now has a Le Mans (pre-owned of course)! If I buy it, I will have to sell/part-ex my Chrono-Matic (partly for funding and partly because I don't want two 24 hour dials when there are so many other models I'd like!).

Please throw your opinions into the pot, guys!

Thanks,

Nick
Author:  aleister [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:46 am ]
Post subject: 
It's all about which one you like most and then keeping it or getting it. Unless you find funding somewhere else, making it possible to have them both. Sorry not to be able to be of more assistance...
Author:  Driver8 [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:00 am ]
Post subject: 
You'll get nothing but recommendations to buy the Le Mans from me Nick!

My Le Mans is by far and away my favourite watch - just everything about it appeals to me. The size, the dimensions, the dial, the rarity, the polished case and bracelet, the bezel, the movement......, the whole lot.

However, while all that stuff appeals to me, it may not appeal to you in the same way... Watches are just such personal things.

What I would also say is as it's now 4 years old you may be looking at getting it serviced, in which case make sure you factor in an additional £415 for that. (I had the bill in for mine today).

But as a watch I just can't fault it.

Can I ask how much you are being offered it for?
Author:  Alien [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:22 am ]
Post subject: 
I would swap for the LeMans without long thinking.
BG
Thomas
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:10 am ]
Post subject: 
I would also do the Le Mans, I'd also consider keeping the Chronomatic if you could.

If you decide not to go for the Le Mans I'd be interested depending on dial colour.
Author:  swiftnick [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:24 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for your comments, guys.

Roff, it's the black dial.

Driver8, it's £5k. Not sure how good that is as the watch has been worn a fair bit with a number of resulting dinks. (Whereas my Chrono-Matic is mint, like my others!)

I hate having to make big decisions quickly, but I don't suppose he'll have the Le Mans for long.

Looks like a difficult weekend...
Author:  Driver8 [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:59 am ]
Post subject: 
swiftnick wrote:
Thanks for your comments, guys.

Roff, it's the black dial.

Driver8, it's £5k. Not sure how good that is as the watch has been worn a fair bit with a number of resulting dinks. (Whereas my Chrono-Matic is mint, like my others!)

I hate having to make big decisions quickly, but I don't suppose he'll have the Le Mans for long.

Looks like a difficult weekend...

I'd say £5K was upper end of the price range, especially if it isn't mint. However, they are hard to come by, so......... tricky one.

If the dings aren't too bad, Breitling can remove them during a full service, but as I say you need to budget somewhere between £400 and £500 for that. However it will come back as close to brand new as possible. The thing to remember is, as time goes on mint condition ones will become harder and harder to come by as they are worn and not serviced properly. If you get him to budge a little on the price and get it serviced you'll have a nice piece.

I was exceptionally lucky with mine as it was mint, except for a tiny scratch on one link! (Took me a long time to find one like that though.... and I'm not sure I'd fancy using the Bay for something like that). However, it had never been serviced and the crown thread looked a bit mucky and stiff, so in it went for a service. £415 later and it is due to be back with me tomorrow! :woohoo:
Author:  Roffensian [ Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
I wouldn't pay that much for one unless it was in exceptional condition, but I guess that's only the 'starting point'.

Shame about the colour (or maybe a good thing depending on your decision) - it's probably the only colour I wouldn't buy (too may black dials).
Author:  breitlingsource [ Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:43 am ]
Post subject: 
That definately seems a bit high. I see them usually go in the $8000US range normally.. and that is quite a bit above that, but it's from a dealer. I guess it all depends on what you can get for your Chrono-matic :)
Author:  swiftnick [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for all your comments, guys.

Your views on price (Driver8 & Admin) were particularly interesting. In fact I saw 2 Le Mans on the Bay over the weekend for £3300 and £3750. One blue, one white dial. Both seemed genuine and in decent condition, so it made me wonder about the price of the black one I was offered, even allowing for a little negotiation.

Upon further reflection, although a Le Mans was my initial preference when looking for a 24 hour dial, I'm really reluctant to chop in my absolutely mint Chrono-Matic 24 (bought new) for a used Le Mans with dinks.

Mmmmmm......
Author:  Driver8 [ Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:51 am ]
Post subject: 
Personally I'd be very wary buying a Le Mans from eBay as even if it's genuine, you can't really tell the condition.

As I say, I searched for a long time and eventually found one with a watch-trader I'd sold things to in the past. While I wasn't able to handle it before I committed to buy, I trusted him completely as I'd used him before. He also sent me some excellent pictures and spoke to me on the phone to tell me all about it and that it was absolutely mint. (He wasn't wrong either!)

IMHO eBay is a risky place to spend £3k or £4K on a 4 or 5 year old watch!
Author:  veilsidegs3 [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:32 am ]
Post subject: 
Lemans all the way!
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