The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello,

I hope everyone had a great Friday. I am thinking of buying my third Breitling, but at the moment i'm still going through the guilt trip phase. Once i convince myself (hopefully a few days) i'm jumping for a Chronomat Evolution, white face, with roman numerals. When i was 19, that was the watch that led me to fall in love with Breitlings. My boss at the time had one, in SS and yellow gold, white face, with roman numerals. I used to stare at it all the time (i'm sure i worried him a bit), i thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world. So beautifull and delicate, yet so robust.

At 26, i jumped into the market and bought myself two Navitimers a Datora and World. They are incredible, i love all of the detail and beauty Breitling puts into all their models. I came to think, if i fell in love with the brand because of the Evolution, how did my first purchase end up with two Navitimers?

It's been some time since i got my last two watches so it brings me to where i am now. Trying to convince myself that it is ok to buy another watch during this economy, and that I deserve it. In anycase, my question to you guys is this, it seems from looking through the forum that most members are either a fan of the Navitimer style, or the more traditional Chronomat look. Rarely do i see people who have an equal amount of both in their collection. if someone does have a bit of both, it is usually weighed towards one.

I love the evolution, and Navitimers for very different reasons. The Navitimers because i love big faces, and busy dials. The chronomat, because it has traditional beauty, and it is a heck of alot tougher then any Navitimer. I love the gadgetry in Chronomats (screw down crown, and pushers) and the fact that they are ok to get bumped, and wet.

I really want the watch, but i don't want to get it and fall out of love with it once its mine (which has happened, but with inexpensive watches).

all comments and advise will be greatly appreciated. Especially on getting over the guilt of buying multiple expensive watches.

There's actually no question, so I'm not sure what you're asking.

I would argue that the more traditional Breitling isn't the Chronomat but the Navi. The Navi is THE iconic Breitling. But in the end, there's certainly no reason why you can't love both! My Navi, Colt and IWC look nothing alike, but I love each one for different reasons.

As for buyers remorse, I've never quite understood it. I work really, really hard. I make a lot of personal sacrifices for my job, and I bust my ass. I pay my bills on time, and I'm not in debt. At some point, there has to be some reward for myself. Otherwise, what the hell am I working for?

_________________
Breitling Colt GMT
Breitling Navitimer World
IWC Portuguese Automatic
Breitling Transocean Chronograph LE

I don't know how old you are now, but just doing a little figuring: if you were 26 when you got your two Navis, and it has been "some time" since then, that suggests you're older than 26 now. If that's the case (and even if you're still 26 now), it doesn't seem likely you saw an Evolution when you were 19, since the model only came out in 2005. Is it possible you "fell in love" with a late-model, pre-Evo Chronomat?

As for the guilt, you should only feel guilty if you really can't afford it, or are taking the money away from other important things. Of course, there's an opportunity cost for everything you buy; you can always put the money you would spend on a watch toward something more sensible. That being said, there's no reason to feel guilty about it if making the purchase isn't financially reckless.

I think it says a lot that after all this time you are still liken the Evo, since you were 19, so for that reason ya definitely go for the Evo and as any current owner will tell you, I think you will NOT be disappointed. As for Guilt trip what;s that....

_________________
Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

The Chronomat Evolution and Navitimer are to be phased out this year - both being replaced by their 01 movement versions so the Navitimer 01 and Chronomat 01 become current models. Don't know whether this changes your thoughts any.
Either way they are both fantastic models.

sorry i got lost in my rant. My question was have you guys with more then a couple of expensive watches fall out of love with one after you owned it.

also by traditional i did not mean traditional breitling look. I mean traditional watch look. i know that might sound very stupid, but i am not a watch expert. its just how it looks to me. the reason i brought this up, is because i really don't want to spend 5,400 bucks on something i won't like once its mine.

I'm 100% with you on working hard and making personal sacrifices for work. But like Jackonstone said. there is always a better place to put 5,400 bucks. I grew up in a waste not want not family, so thats where it comes from.

How do you feel about owning your Navitimers? If the guilt is eating away at you, then it will probably only get worse if you get a Chronomat. If you had a little buyer's guilt at the time you bought them, but are now OK, then that's probably how you'll feel with the Chronomat, too. As for how you'll continue to like the Chronomat after you get it, I can't predict that for you. I suspect, though, that if you've liked it this long, and still have a hankering for it, you'll probably still like it once you get it. Also, as maz pointed out, the Chronomat "Evolution" is being phased out. So, if you specifically like that design, now would be the time to get it.

How old are you now, by the way? I'm still trying to figure out how you could have been 19 when you first saw the Evo, if you're 26 or over now.

I'm 27 i guess "some time" was a bit of an exaggeration. I guess it could not have been a evo. I wasn't 100% but i have not seen my old boss in about five years. So i could not guarantee it, and would have to go off your word. Still the evo is the one which i feel best represents what he owned, i never did ask him.

It wouldn't even be a thought to buy a g-shock if it would effect me adversely. First thought is, if i have any extra money i should put it into my IRA or 401k, or buy some more apple stock (while jobs is still sick).

I know i'll get a lot of heat for this but...... Most of my co-wokers, are much older (45-61). They all talk about doing the same thing i'm doing, and regretting it now that they are older (45-67). They kind of guilt me about things like, cars i own, vacations, accessories and how i could do much better with my money. Nobodies business, but makes you think. They have been around a lot longer then i. could they be right?

Will there be anything that looks like the Evo? If so would you buy before or after the change?

I've said this before when similar topics come up.....

I've worked for every penny I have - I've never inherited a penny and never will, and neither will / has my wife. I work hard and I have my priorities straight - I'm not 40 until later this year but have not a penny of debt. My RRSP (Canadian version of a 401k) is maxed out, as is my wife's. I have a financial plan that I review with the person that manages my money once every 3 months. Basically what I am saying is that I only spend discretionary income on watches. I have no interest in being the richest man in the graveyard and refuse to feel guilty about spending money that I have worked hard for on something that makes me feel good.

I have never sold a watch that I didn't specifically buy to sell, and as a result I am very clear in my own mind about pieces before I buy them.

If you aren't sure about the purchase, then don't make it. You can always buy one later - there are enough Evos in the world already that you won't have trouble finding one when you are ready. If reading this makes you think in horrow about the prospect of not buying it, then you probably are ready so buy it and don't let personal guilt spoil the enjoyment. As long as other aspects of your life don't suffer, there is no reason for guilt.

well said, and thank you.

I currently own a chronomat eve with a black face and Romans. Love it! On the other hand I purchased a Navi World which should be here in about a week, I can't wait! I'm sure when the NW arrives the CE will take a back seat for a week or so ... Which I may use that time to get the CE serviced at breathing since it is still under warranty because it has been running very fast these days. Ive been waiting to that it back though until my next watch arrived because there was no way I could be watch less! Lol

I love them both for different reasons and imagine I would wear them completely differently too! I cant wait to have the option of choosing

The funny thing about my purchasing the World is that when I was first introduced to the breitling brand I hated the Navi line with a passion.(I know I know!) but after seeing pictures more and more I can honestly say I fell in love...especially with the world!

Sorry if I didn't really answer your question but those are my two cents.

_________________
Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

Im 28, and have worked for each dollar that I have. Ive been in your "guilty" shoes and gotten back out. Spending it doesnt take any food out of my family or friends mouths, doesnt mean im gonna lose my home...nothing.. So why not? Im a good person that will continue to do good deeds regardless of whether or not I buy another $5000 watch.

BTW, the reason you see less Navis is because they cost more and arent as rugged. Ive owned probably 6-7 recent Breitlings of all types, and ive liked them all. Yes, getting a new one sometimes turns another one into a stepchild, but youll come around and love them all after a little r&r.

_________________
-RJ

This is academic at this point. If you're clear that you like the Evo, then you do; it doesn't matter why. Having said that, if you're sure you were 19 when you first saw your boss's watch, and you're 27 now, then there's no way it could have been an Evo. The numbers just don't add up. Even if you just turned 27 this month, you would have turned 20 in January of 2004, meaning you would have been 19 mostly in 2003. Since the Evo came out in 2005, you can see how this doesn't work.

But like I said, who cares? If you like it you like it. BUT, it does logically point to another option. Rather than going for an Evo, you might look at a pre-Evo Chronomat on the pre-owned market. There are still plenty of opportunities out there for picking one up, if you know where to look. It would likely cost you less than picking up a new Evo, and would actually bring you closer to the watch you first fell in love with. 'Just a thought.'

That depends on how much you think the 01 looks like the Evo; but if you're looking at the 01, then you're talking about a watch closer to $8000 for steel on steel. You might find the current Blackbird is closer to the Evo, and it's less expensive than the 01 (although still more than the Evo), but I heard the Blackbird might be reconfigured to take the 01 movement; who knows what will happen to the design when that happens. Also, check out some of the models in the Aeromarine line and see how they strike you. They're certainly not clones of the Windrider models, but there are similarities.