The Breitling Watch Source Forums

What are your thoughts on Breitlings as an investment? I have a Navitimer and hope it isn't worth $2,000 dollars in 5 years.

I'd say these watches are not investments. They hold their value better than some but not as much as Rolex or Patek Philippe which can climb in value.

I don't think there are any Breitlings which increase in value although rather surprisingly a local AD did tell me my 2001 Colt (which I paid £1000 for at the time) was worth about $3000. I doubt it very much!

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2000 Emergency - Orbiter 3 Edition
2001 Chrono Colt Quartz SQ
2003 Navitimer Olympus
2008 Navitimer

Ouch not the answer I wanted to hear.

Prices of new Breitlings along with any other fine watch should increase over time. Let's say in 2020 or something a new Navitimer was $9,000 MSRP. What affect would this have on the second hand market?

Sorry, but as a general proposition I'd say they're a terrible investment. They lose a whole chunk of value the moment you take them out of the store (much like a car). There are isolated models that hold their value better, but it's a specialised market and by all accounts it's pretty thin at the moment.

Buy a new Breitling, sure, just buy it because you love it.

Right now your Navi is worth about half of its retail price (hope you didnt pay retail). The only way it can hold its value is with the regular price increases over the years, but whether or not it can match or exceed inflation is anybodys guess. Either way its irrelevant since its a bad investment anyway. Dont feel too bad about it though; just about every watch, including a Rolex, is a pretty horrible investment.

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-RJ

couldnt have said it better. on that note though....theyre still great to have. just enjoy your watch.

I'd love to be able to buy shares in Breitling alas its not possible because its a privately held company as shares they'd probably be a good investment, as for a watch- I think we all know that its more the joy you get out of owning 1 or 2 or 3 lol ...rather than the resale value.

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Breitling Chronomat BO1 Riviera Blue Dial Stainless Steel Case and Pilot Bracelet

100% agree... if you want a watch for investment, breitling is not the right one, rolex, patek philippe, breguet, JLC, etc are watches for investments.


d

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Breitling Antares B10047
Breitling Chronomat B13050
Breitling Chronomat A13050.1 - pilot bracelet
Breitling Chronomat Blackbird A13050.1 - serie spéciale
Breitling Avenger Seawolf E17370
Breitling Chronomat EVO A13356 - pilot bracelet

Investment? Try Panerais. The Fiddy (PAM 127) is now what... triple it's launch retail price?

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a few Pams...

This will be seen in future but of the Breitlings the Chronomat B01 may do ok- especially the B01s that are kept in good shape, serviced properly and have all the documentation including the box etc, in time the 1st year manufactured Chronomat B01s may do well, but that is yet to be seen!

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Breitling Chronomat BO1 Riviera Blue Dial Stainless Steel Case and Pilot Bracelet

There are clearly some brands that hold their value more - just look at any of the sale prices from places like Antiquorum and PP is always at the top. However even with these it's the rare and unusual pieces, the limited run LEs, etc that hold their value and potentially gain, and at the time of issue those aren't always readily identifiable - it's easy to provide examples after the prices have gone crazy, but that's a bit late!

The only watches that I have that have increased in value are vintage pieces where I either bought before the increases of the last few years or where I bought a rough piece cheap and paid for the restoration.

As others have said a modern watch is a lousy investment.

Perhaps if you got a killer deal on a used one and flipped it for a little more down the road? That’s the only investment return I can think of.

As RJ alluded to, getting the right discount up front can minimize, but not eliminate your loss on a new piece.

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Chronomat Evo (White, Arabics)
Avenger Seawolf (Black, Batons) INCOMING?

This is true in many domains. If only you'd bought Microsoft or Apple or Google right at the IPO. If only you'd stocked up on Wayne Gretzky or Barry Bonds or Babe Ruth rookie cards. Or some Picasso's when he was an unknown artist. The list goes on. Hindsight is 20/20.

Roy Rogers said "Buy land, God isn't making any more of it.". But even that's been dicey recently .

As other's have said, watches are a horrid investment. Not as bad as computers or other high tech toys, but pretty bad. The best way to improve the situation is to buy used.

Someday I'm going to find a 1959 Les Paul cherry burst in an estate sale.

Peace

Mike

Watches are like cars...a wasting assett

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Breitling for Bentley Barnato 42
Rolex Submariner