The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi All!

The Watchery, Buy.Com, Ashford, Jomashop it is my understanding that they all sell “grey market” products. However, are they legitimate, in other words intact serial #’s, authentic watches and as a result if an issue arose you would simply pay for a service with the watch manufacturer. (Yet I know that with a little diligence the watches can be found at nearly the same price point and not be “grey market” & thus will have a 2 year warranty from the manufacturer.) I am just curious!

Thank you for your prompt replies in advance!

Best Regards,

Enezdez

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IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

These days most of them have serials intact, but you need to check on a watch by watch basis as very few grey market sellers have a policy of always having serials intact (Jomashop is an exception), so if the AD removes the serial to prevent the watch being tracked back to them the grey market seller will likely still accept it.

Also be aware that there is no guarantee that a grey market watch is new - it may be a return.

Yes they are the real deal watches. For a number of reasons an AD may need to dump a load of inventory at near to or dealer cost. This is the primary inventory source for the grey market. (When my AD fired Omega they priced everything at 40% off. After a couple months the remaining watches- quite a few - were boxed up and ready to be shipped in one lot to a grey market seller. In this instance, the AD severed it's relationship with a brand and needed actual display room to show the reps for the 2 new brands with whom it was negotiating.)

I've heard some negatives though. Often serial #s are removed (to protect the existing ADs who are dumping inventory to the grey market). You have to be very specific that all #s are intact. It's pretty much agreed that factory service and grey market service are not on par. Lately I've been noticing the discounts don't look that great versus what you can get at an AD (if I get a Breguet soon it will be less than the big online grey market dealers are offering.). I've read some complaints about orders for thousands of $$ being processed online where it appears in the ordering process the watch is in stock and in reality it will be 2-3 months. (Of course I've read some threads here where someone is waiting 2-3 months for a new watch already paid for to be delivered to an AD). Resale value without a factory warranty or factory service history can't be as good.

I recently ordered a bracelet for an Omega P.O. from authenticwatches because it was quick, easy, and not much money at stake. (and I didn't feel like looking for a new AD just to order a bracelet). Ordered on a Sunday and received it in factory plastic Tuesday.

These dealers fill a need in the market place. There are ADs who wouldn't survive some tough spots without the ability to dump inventory. The more ADs who keep their doors open, the happier I am. They also provide some very good discounts for folks who don't have ready access to local ADs or whose local ADs are unreasonable.

I'm a free market guy. So I'm glad to see the grey market exists. The only time I would use it for a watch is if it was my must have and the discount was outrageous. That hasn't happened to me yet and I'm glad - there is something comforting knowing the AD is 10 minutes away.

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SHARKMAN

I can vouch for Jomashop selling genuine items. A mate of mine bought his Chronomat Evo from them and it was perfectly fine except for the fact that they witheld the COSC cert as well as the original warranty booklet. My mate sent the watch to Breitling for authentication (even though I told him it was fine!) and to get a new COSC cert, and it was absolutely genuine. And it had the serial number intact as well.

Cant speak for the other ones you mention.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

. Having a good relationship with your local AD far outweighs any pricing advantage that you can find from a grey market dealer. Also as Shark mentioned...in many cases the AD can beat the discount being advertised online. I think that many people are drawn to the online dealers because the price is right there in front of you w/o having to negotiate a discount as well as the savings of not having to pay sales tax.

My Ad matched the price on Jomasshop.com for my Super Avenger, so you may want to check with your ad and see if they will match it.

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One Watch At A Time.

Just don't expect that to work if it's your opening buy with an AD. When I was looking for my first Breitling I went in armed with the grey market offerings and got the "Hey, we're a brick and mortar store" rebuke. I think that's a standard AD response to people walking in and spouting online prices.

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SHARKMAN