The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have posted the following in the sticky thread, but thougt it might be better here (easier to find)...

Authenticwatches.com

I just made a purchase through Authenticwatches.com, here's my reflections on them.

Website/Initial contact
I had a few looks at their website since I was interested in a special version of an Omega, which they had in the products list for $17.500. For this model it's a very good price.

I e-mailed them, placed my order and asked about payment instructions, since it seems a bit limited not to accept credit cards or regular bank transfers from customers outside US. I got a very fast reply, saying that they only could deal with bank wire or international cheques. A bit disappointed, I went down to my bank office and made the bank wire, having to pay additional $200 for the transfer. Still, the watch was at a very good price even after the $200 raise.

Shipping process
I was told my watch would ship within six weeks. After three weeks I sent an e-mail to check that they actually had received my payment and that everything was going as planned. I must say that I think it's a bit weak not to confirm when they have received the payment... Again, I got a very fast reply saying that unfortunately I couldn't have my Omega, since production had ended (!). One would think that they could have told me that from the beginning... Now, I got to choose between a refund or other watches. I had already planned to invest in a watch and with the dollar at a very low rate the refund was not really an option. I selected three other watches and was making sure that I ordered models that were both with intact serial numbers and in stock. My decision ended up in a Zenith, another Omega and a Breitling SA. Still, the pricing was very good (I believe). I made my replacement order on a late Thursday night, got a quick response Friday morning and on Monday morning I had them delivered to my office (in Sweden, trans-atlantic shipping). Ridiculously fast!

Quality of received watches
The watches and their boxes had been very well packed and were completely without damages. The watches were perfect in quality, with the serial numbers intact and working as a charm.

Post purchase contact
I had one question for one of my three watches, posted an e-mail and again got a very fast and satisfying reply. However, since I also was entitled for a refund they had included a company cheque in the package. I would have preferred cash, a credit card transfer or something else instead. Now, my cost for claiming the cheque was some additional $50.

Overall
Model supply: A bit mixed. I think it's poor that they had my model as available, when they couldn't provide it. On the other hand, for back-up watches the supply was good. The mark can't be higher than 3/5.

Price: Really nice prices, even if I had to pay $250 extra for handling my order/refund. In spite of that I feel I have done a good deal! The mark, 4/5.

Contact: Again, a bit mixed. For all but one reasons they have been extremely quick to respond. But, and it's a big but, I think they should have a payment confirmation sent out - especially when the payment is as large as $17.500. The mark, for that reason, can't be higher than 3/5.

Quality: Nothing else than excellent. Mark is easy 5/5.

Payment: A disaster. Why on earth can't they accept credit cards or other "easy" payment methods (even paypal would have been better) from outside US? In this case I'm not very upset with the extra $250 I had to pay, but I had bought a single watch at ~$3000 it would have been a bad surprise. The mark should maybe be even lower, but I rate it as 1/5.

So, would I buy from them again?
The answer would be yes, but only in some cases where I'm interested in a expensive watch (above $6000) where I could deal with additional payment costs. And, only after they had confirmed that they absolutely could provide the watch. For any normal models/brands below $6000, I'll probably find another way.

I hope you find this information useful. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a PM about it.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Great write up!

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Wow that was fantastic, thanks Aleister!

I guess I am so used to sending and receiving wire transfers now that it is normal for me for a big transaction. Only costs me $40 to do one, your bank is pricey!

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

well done!!!

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Certified watch nut.

Unfortunately, it was not my bank that was pricy when I sent the bank wire... It was theirs, while accepting the wire.

Thanks for the feedback on the feedback.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

...yes I think we have a clear need for a "Feedback on Feedback" forum now....

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Navitimer World, Evo, Blacksteel, Avenger
Loads of Panerai
Submariner Date, GMT Master llc

I've never been charged for the other Bank's fee for receiving a wire.. strange. They usually take it out of the amount when it arrives over there... and sometimes its funny when a guy receiving the wire complains that it was $10 less than what he was supposed to get.. then I say "buddy, it cost me $40 more that what I was supposed to send.. you wanna trade?" And they're the ones that said they prefer wire.

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

Speaking of bank wires, I sold a Rolex a week ago. I called the buyer and gave him my bank info, he said he would call his bank and wire the amount right then. Three minutes later I got an SMS from my bank that the amount was in my account, I checked online and sure enough there it was. This was specially astonishing considering that my bank was closed at the time and that I live on the other side of the globe!!! Will the wonders of the digital age never cease?

Sorry for the OT but it is really astounishing for me, not so much the technical but the financial part, the banks seem to be ALL in cohoots.

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Certified watch nut.

Altair - That's great, that's how it should work. I just wish they all did like that.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

No doubt.

A fee for EXCEPTING funds is bullsh*t.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

** I've edited this one down since yesterday as I've had time to calm down and obviously I've slept off most of my frustration over the incident! **

Just to add my own experience of AuthenticWatches.com -

The other day I found that they had a Navitimer World bracelet in stock, so I thought I'd go ahead and get one from them on eBay.

However it was an immediate no go as their "No Paypal or credit cards from international bidders" policy along with "Instant Payment Required" effectively prevents me as an international buyer from buying from them via eBay. (Incidentally my bank only arranges wire transfers in person at the bank, which means they are far from instantaneous... and also charges me £40 for the privilege).

In todays global market-place, not accepting credit cards or Paypal is a totally ludicrous. And then insisting on instant payment as well....?? Too much hassle. I'd rather pay the extra £160 and buy a bracelet from my AD and save myself the aggravation.

And also, in contrast to Aleister, I've found their response time to emails to be particularly poor - ranging from days (on a previous occasion), to no response at all this time.

I'm sure they're fine you can deal with them at arms length - i.e. you live in the States, can pay by Paypal and don't have to interact with them. But for me.... WAY too much trouble.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

thanks fior the write up.

I'm considering buying my first Breitling (10 years with Omega is enough!) from these guys and this stuff is invaluable.

Emergency Mission is on the hit list at ~$4500 US....so more research required!!

Deviating only slightly from this subject I would like to confirm to all of you that it is a nightmare for me to get something from the US. Most of the persons hear the A-bomb in Japan fall when you start asking about paying by banktransfer/wiretransfer insisting on Paypal or CC instead.
I am a firm nonbeliever of Paypal as I am still convinced such transaction are less secure than a banktransfer as PP is still "hackable".
I've had the same problem of late with someone in the UK who didn't want payment by banktransfer declaring it wasn't safe.
Inside our beloved continent we can now transfer money easily from account to account.
Why is the rest of the world not following??????

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Breitling Jupiter Pilot blue/reveil
Breitling B-1 blue
Breitling B-2 blue

very very nice write up bro!

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Breitling for Bentley Motors
Breitling Navitimer World
Breitling Super Avenger Black Steel LE 3000
Breitling for Bentley GMT Midnight Carbon Black Steel LE 1000
Hublot Big Bang Aero Bang Steel
"You gotta pay to play..."

aleister, question for you: how can you be 100% sure that what you bought from authenticwatches.com is authentic indeed?