The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I live in Chicago and own a BlackBird. I was out with a few buddies the other night at a nice steakhouse downtown - they all own Rolexes and I'm the only one who own a Breitling.

Anyway, a couple of Polish gentlemen stopped me and asked to see my watch and were quite impressed. The boys with the Rolexes seemed a bit puzzled as they know nothing about the brand. In fact, I find more women to be familiar with Breitling than men.

Long story short - they felt Breitling was a much more sophisticated and desirable watch and that got me to thinking.

How is Breitling perceived around the world? I have VERY few acquaintances that know anything about them and in my 20+ years of professional work, only ran into one other colleague who wore a Breitling. I love my Ling and wouldn't trade it for a Rolex, but was wondering if anyone had any insight as to how the watch/brand is perceived around the world.

I think its pretty similar in the US and Europe. I probably get complimented by a stranger once a month or so, even though others claim to never gets any attention. From what I hear, breitling is very popular in Japan.

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-RJ

In Australia - which I guess has a market more similar to the US than Europe - my Bentley GT receives comments all the time. Although, when I think about it, those comments often come from people with a European background.

It seems quiet a few people are vaguely aware of the brand - I've had irritating comments along the lines of "like a Rolex" or "like an Omega", along with slightly more enlightened comments about it being "a pilots watch type thing...but very flash".

Anyone who ever handles it is rightly impressed and they uniformly praise how well it's made.

I've had several Rolex owners state that they would much rather have something like the GT than their Day-Date or Sub.

I am stationed in Germany and get compliments on my Skyland from time to time. Breitling seems to be fairly popular over here, I see ALOT of Navi's and some Bentley GT's over here. I also see a fair amount of Rolex and some Panerai although I have yet to have anyone notice my Pam.

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Avenger Skyland
Panerai 000

Not that you asked.....but I just got a SOHC (in India) and my friends think its extremely well finished , looks classy and wears great with suits !!

Indians have an affinity for rolex and omega as they were the first luxury brands to enter our country. Whenever anyone can afford one they go for a day date or daytona/ seamaster etc. However last 4-5 years have brought popularity to hublot's, AP's corum's and the like.

Breitling enjoys an aspirational status over here. I have seen quite a lot of people wearing navi's (even though not one knew what the circular slide rule could do.....lol). Sells very well over here. The only regret is the 25% higher MRP/MSRP US/ SIng.

I would wear it before the subbies or the day dates. The 43mm sea sweller is the only threat to my priority list when it comes to breitling vs rolex !!

Cheers

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Breitling SOHC
AP Royal Oak
Pam 0161

I just ordered a PAM321 about a month ago and am waiting for my AD to receive it - funny thing though - Breitling has over 18,000 "fans" on Facebook and Panerai - well, there's 90 of us

I suppose Breitling is better known by the typical watch person, and by that I mean someone whose not obsessed with them, than Panerai. I dont know one person outside the internet who knows about Panerai, which kind of makes me like the brand that much more. I dont like people knowing how expensive these little machines can be.

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Avenger Skyland
Panerai 000

That's true, you can spot a lot of Breitlings in the subway/on the trains every day. However, Rolex are even more visible - in Japan (as in many other countries) people with not so much knowledge of watch brands automatically turns for a Rolex for their first expensive watch. The image of Rolex = success is rather strong here.

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

IMHO, Breitlings seem to be a bit more "niche". I do get some great compliments periodically, but they seem to be from either other Breitling appreciators, or general fine watch enthusiasts. I find that the general public isn't all that interested.

Now, I do see that a good number of US Air Force pilots do choose Breitlings, especially fighter pilots getting custom-buy Aerospaces. I think my Airwolf w/Co-Pilot tends to stand out pretty well among those.

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Chris
Club Member #0070
2009 TT Chrono Evo w/Rose gold, blue face
2009 Airwolf w/black face, Co-Pilot module
2009 TT Lady Cockpit w/Mother-of-Pearl, Diamond face for the wife

In my limited experience, Europeans seem to be slightly more cognizant of the spectrum of watch brands than Americans. Who knows...maybe it's just the proximity to Switzerland. Or maybe it's just that Rolex's marketing was more successful over here...it just seems like there's Rolex and "everyone else."

--M

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." --Dave Barry

At my workplace, which is a law-enforcement establishment, we are just a bit over 300 employees. There is only one of my colleague who owns a Breitling (Super Avenger). We are about 3 or 4 guys that like fine watches very much, these guys are all aware of the major brands like Panerai and so on.

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Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

A very good question, in the UK I have had both knowledgeable comments (one from my Bank Manager) and others from people just admiring a good looking watch, in Australia the same again, folks who knew the brand and those who did not. In Poland a very interested guy who was already planning to buy a Ling, I even let him have a try on of my Navi.

In Europe I think Breitling does have a wider brand name recognition in the general public, as a watch making company, but then its probably fair to say that there are more Breitling owners in the States than elsewhere, is that because of the higher level of disposable income, more pilots, or just the appreciation for the finer things in life.

Ian

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Navitimer World, Callistino.
Omega Speedmaster Moon, Hamilton 992B, Steinhart BS LEII #2, B&R 01-92 Heritage