The Breitling Watch Source Forums

What is your impression of Tourneau? I know for those that live in the Continental U.S. it is not a big deal, but I was pretty excited when the first Tourneau opened here a couple of months ago. The Tourneau shop is in Waikiki, which is out of the way for local folks, but I made a point to go there and check it out and came away pretty disappointed.

I was impressed by the selection, as there were a couple of brands that I have never seen first hand (U-boat, Bell & Ross) but the service was horrible – none of the staff appeared to know anything about watches other than what they had memorized from whatever training they received. I had a salesman follow me around and randomly pull out watches at whatever display case I happened to be looking at. He also used the word “actually” in almost every sentence, as if I were the one that didn’t know anything and had to be corrected and educated (“…actually, that brand is a sister brand to this one here…”).

I was wearing my Skyland on Ocean Racer and none of the staff looked at it or commented about it, leading me to believe that none of them were watch people, just salespeople who just happened to be working at a watch store. I wasn’t looking for recognition, but I figured that the sales staff would be somewhat interested in what I was wearing. By contrast, I was recently at a smaller jewelry store and was approached by an older woman who I assumed was just a salesperson. We started talking and she glanced at my wrist and said something about the Heritage. I turned my wrist and she corrected herself, she knew right away that I was wearing a Skyland. So, with that one glance, the saleswoman knew what I liked and about what I could afford, which I would assume would be valuable information to her.

In the end, should I shop at Tourneau to get a better price and ignore the fact that I won’t get any expert help? Or should I spend more and go to a more knowledgeable jeweler? I try to shop locally and support my local ADs, but sometimes the price difference is in the thousands of dollars and I can’t afford to let that go. Are there any other upsides to shopping at Tourneau besides price, like better after sales service or the fact that they are a national operation?

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Chrono Avenger, Grey Dial, Pro II
Steelfish, Black Dial, Ocean Racer
Super Avenger, White Dial, Pro II
Casio GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster
Sinn UX

If it's thousands less, I would buy regardless of knowledge. Service is important, but if you have a warranty card, you can take it anywhere.

Sure it's nice to support those that are local, but $1000 means a lot to me in today's economy. If you find a salesperson you like and it saves you money, roll with it!

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Since you obviously know your homework, I'd forget about the service and staff knowledge and buy where you can get your Ling cheaper.
Lots of ADs don't know much about stuff they sell.

Don't make up Your mind too soon. When You say, the store opened only a couple of month ago, You cannot expect the staff to have decades of sales experience. Most of them are also new. I have never been to a Tourneau store, but I know, that it takes at least 2 years until a new store is up and running smoothly. Even worse, if You have to run it with already experienced staff from other stores (who know everything better than the manager). Plan a visit in more than a year, then make up Your mind.

BG
Thomas

Aloha,
Give them a chance. Mahalos.

I've had 5 experiences with AD's and only one was knowledgeable (thanks roff).. And I'm pretty much a newbie (first breitling like 5mos ago) so it's pretty bad when I know more. One AD in my city kept refusing to believe that a "motors t" existed.. She kept saying "oh you mean bentley gt, there's motors but no such thing as motors t".. It got to the extent that she started getting frustrated cause she thought I was the crazy one..

I've been to horlogio in vegas and they have everything including the tourbillon.. I asked a pretty senior salesperson about the issue of changing the time and date on a ling between 8pm-3am and he told me I would have no problems if I did that on my blackbird..

So yeah, as long as you get a good deal I wouldn't sweat it!

My experience buying my first Breitling was interesting for the same reasons some of you guys witnessed. One AD I rang assured me he had the exact model I wanted, when I arrived he tried to convince me a Skyland was a SA, turns out he didn't have what I wanted. Also it became obvious I knew more about Breitlings than him so I left disappointed with the whole experience.
I did eventually find an AD where the price, service, and knowledge were excellent.

Of course they said that - they want to sell you a new one when the first one breaks.

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I had a very very good experience with Tourneau here in NJ. The manager there really bent over backwardss to help my wife make the right choice & locate the watch she wanted. Good price to boot as well.

I didn't have the best experience also.........I have shopped at the one in Las Vegas and Chicago. They aren't the most professional especially for high-end watches....They will deal with you thou for a lower price.

if you like paying VERY lil under retail go there.

I just like seeing ALL watches at one place but I would never buy something there...

plus the salesmen over there seem too much car salesman like.... :l

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Breitling for Bentley Motors
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