The Breitling Watch Source Forums

OK, so we recognise Breitlings at fifty paces but do other people?

One of the things that attracted me to Breitling in the first place was that it wasn't super flashy, the designs were classic and timeless and it could just go about its business almost unnoticed. I have been surprised when someone has noticed me wearing it and complimented on it. Usually at work or a friend but not randomly on the street.

Has your Breitling ever attracted unwanted attention?

Interested to know!

VI

VillageIdiot,

It all depends on which model you are wearing. If you are wearing 38 MM Ling somebody needs a magnifying glass to know what it is. If you are wearing a Super Avenger you will get a great many comments from friends and strangers alike. I was in a night club 2 weeks ago with my Super Avenger and 4 people asked about it. I wore my Bentley for 8 months before I got my Super Avenger and only a few people even noticed it and one of them was my Mom. So it's all about WHICH Ling you are wearing.

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LING MAN

Unwanted attention ? Only in the office. Buying two Breitlings within ten days raised a few eyebrows, then buying my third a month later ellicited a couple of lowbrow comments. I actually thought twice about wearing the third one in to work, almost self conciously deciding that it may look a bit flash etc. In the end any issues others have are theirs not mine. I'm still the same guy thats been haunting the place for 23 years, just a bit happier since splurging the dosh.

Interesting topic, I have had a couple of people ask "whats that" on my wrist (in a nice way!) maybe due to the size of the SOH46. When I wear my Rolex, you always get people asking if it's real or a fake. People seem to be more judge-mental towards you, when you wear a Rolex. The Ling seems to get more respect if you know what I mean

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Breitling Super Avenger White, Steel
Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 Black, Ocean Racer
Rolex Submariner Bi-Metal, Yellow Gold/Blue
Panerai 112, Black Leather (Soon Hopefully!)

I find that too. My old Rolex used to get the "Is that real?" comments all the time. My Breitlings just get curiosity and respect. I certainly don't buy these things becasue of what other people may say - I buy them for me, and me alone..... BUT if someone happens to notice and say something decent, then that's still a nice thing to happen!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I've never had any unwanted attention for my Breitlings. I experience the same as Damien do. However, sometimes I feel I take ewen's stand when wearing them at work. I have a few coworkers that know I'm watch addicted and they are quite curious sometimes, but there are also some others that probably think it's a little bit too much. But my opinion is that as long as I'm discreet/normal about it (ie don't shove my wrist in their faces), that's their problem.

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

My Navi-World gets quite a bit of attention....Most people ask "Is that like a Rolex?" I'm glad to explain the difference, and tell them about my small collection. Most people in my part of the country do not know about Breitling. If I fly in somewhere, or visit a larger city, the B-ling gets noticed a lot more. Especially at airports.

At work, there are a few people that ask to see my pieces, and some want to try them on. I'm hesitant on letting people handle or try on any of my pieces because they do not handle them as I would so I usually just offer my wrist for them to see.

I get a little uncomfortable when people ask "How much does it cost?" It's the most commonly asked question. I usually range them to give them an idea. I do work with some really simple people, and they say "I'd never pay that much for a watch, you're stupid!" I don't want to be rude, but I tell them "Well, it's my choice." Believe it or not, there have been some that really try to belittle me. "That's more than I paid for my car!" They always ask how I afford things like that. I don't mind asking certain questions, but there are several people I work with that mismanage their funds. I tell them "I stay out of the Casinos." We have a few that are problematic gamblers.

People that need some chlorine added to their gene pool, it's just a hassle. People that are more educated it's not an issue.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Its a funny thing in our office. Wether its a new watch, or new car or new pair of sunglasses etc....we inevitably get asked 'how much ?' The answer (if you are in the mood to provide it) results in a chorus of 'ooooh's, followed by the sound of furious keyboard activity as they all try to find the cheapest deal for said item on flea-bay or similar...the triumphant googler then denouncing the buyer as being 'had' for paying so much
Slightly back on topic, I was present at a client spec meeting once, and in a scene reminiscent of the 'business card envy' scene in the film American Psycho, one of the assembled group noticed a watch someone was wearing...the meeting then went off at a tangent for 40 minutes as other watches were then displayed, compared and admired (my Tag stayed hidden under my sleeve) The Breitling someone was wearing (Cosmonaute I think) left the biggest impression on me, and it was fun to see grown men acting like kids in a toyshop.

owning a ling def puts you in a diff category.

Even the first thing that comes to my mind when I see a rolex IS is that real.

With a ling even there are fakes out there it will not get the "is that real" question quite as much as rolexs do IMO.

I typically only get comments when wearing my SA, It didn't dawn on me when I was buying it that it would command such attention. I usually smile when I get smart a$$ comments from those who don't know much about anything. On the other hand if the persons comments or questions are genuine then I would take the time to share my passion for watches. Like most the question I hate most is the "how much?" and when confronted with it I usually smile and say "I rewarded myself with this as a milestone gift". I find by doing this it opens the door to talk about said milestone. However, If I sense the "how much?" question or comment is getting out of hand I would then drop comments such as "If one doesn't waste money gambling, smoking or drinking then the cost of this watch isn't as outrageous as you think"

Again it all boils down to how I'm approached

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Jerome

When I got my SuperOcean - black dial, stainless PRO I bracelet - back in 1997, I got quite a few comments. I worked for Delta Airlines at Vancouver airport, Customer Service, and both coworkers and passengers made quite a few comments.
Now that I have my new Steelfish, purchased a couple of weeks ago, I have not received one comment. I even wear it at work with a short sleeved t-shirt. That's OK. I bought it to please myself, and it certainly does that very well.
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

My SA really grabs the comments. I actually like it though. I have not had to deal with the bad "how much" question yet but I think I will be able to bat it away if I get it. I went to my AD to get a White Datora and then left with a white SA so I didn't have a long time to think about the size/comments. It really seems to fit my clothing style and personality so I don't get the awkward "what the hell is that" mostly just the "holy s*1t that's big" and following conversation.

After hearing so many "is that real" on the Rolex, it makes me think about getting the Panerai next rather than the Rollie?

Yes, the "How much" question is not the sweetest topic. I certainly don't by watches, cars, clothes... just to display how much money I've spent but because I like the particular object. There are some rare moments when comments about the watch lead further into a discussion and then out of admiration of the watch and for pure interest the "How much" makes sense, but in most cases I believe the question tells more about the other guy's personality (in a non-preferable way).

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

My Breitlings have garnered many more comments than my other watches, mostly I attribute this to their size and high polish finish. Almost all Breitlings are eye catchers after all.

I have gotten a ton of "Is that a Breitling?" questions. Not is that real, or what is that. Most of the people who ask that question also follow with the standard what model? what did it cost you? I dont take offense to these questions because the people who ask them seem to have a genuine interest in Breitlings and are probably looking for some more information on them. I respond by giving them the name of my AD and saying he gave a good deal on the price, if you are interested go check out their selection.

I have gotten the ignorant people who say my Timex or Casio keeps better time for a 1/100th of the price. I tend to refrain debating with these people the difference between wearing a Digital Casio and a Ling. Usually I just shrug it off and say some people like cars, some people like guns, some people like boats, I like watches.

As far as my Rolex goes, most people assume that it is a fake. "I can tell thats not a real Rolex." "Really? How?" "It doesnt have the date bubble." "Thats because its a Sea Dweller and not a Submariner." I dont really care what people think of my watches, I purchased them because they bring me joy, and I appreciate the design, and the care and precision that went into manufacturing it. Conversely, I would never be a watch snob to someone else. I have seen too many ignorant people with an expensive watch on their wrist denegrate others for having what they deem a second or third rate timepiece, when they have little knowledge of the Horological world themselves. To them its about a price tag, not design or the history of a particular company. So whether its a Rolex, Ling, Seiko, Tag, or a Citizen, wear it with pride. You spent your hard earned money on it, and it brings you joy, and you know that your's is genuine and not a cheap knockoff you bought to impress others.

I had a friend of mine comment, "its well done, some guys think its a real one (wink)". I left it without comeback, but was slightly hurt. I dont make a show of them, but then again I dont really want people thinking I wear fakes pretending they are real. Like it or not, within a close community like an office you will get the complete spectrum from ignorant know-it-all right through to knowledgeable enthusiast. I ended the day on a high after modifying his computer settings. Simple pleasures and all that.