The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have no idea where 'here' is, but there are enough independent confirmations (including Breitling) to leave absolutely no doubt.

My AD (Long's in Boston) called me on Wednesday and left me an urgent message. I called him back, and he said he wanted to tell me ASAP about the memo he got about an 8% Breitling price increase in a couple of weeks.

I told him I've known about it for 2 weeks. This is also the same AD that had no idea what the TransOcean was, and on Friday, told me he never heard of the Breitling book.

You need to come to grips with the fact that the info on BSource is usually more timely and accurate than the info you'll get from a lot of AD's.

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

I confirmed it as well with my AD and forum sponsor 3 weeks ago, it is happening.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

The part that amuses me is that the AD is using some fuzzy math in claiming their discounts are larger because they are relative to the post-increase price, even though the increase hasn't kicked in yet.

Sheesh. My math skills are better than that.

Latest info is February 21st price increase in US...

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BC

Latest info from my AD:

No price hike here in Switzerland. Price increases abroad due to the power of the Swiss franc. Do not understand though why the Swatch group announced price increases within Switzerland for Longines, Blancpain, Breguet and Omega though.

Having said that, it seems that we're in for some big surprises for the Breitling range, most of them dictated because delivery of ETA movements will be discontinued by the end of the year.

Some highlights: Blackbird (I did not want to believe him ), Colt, GMTs, Steelfish will be discontinued as will most of the Chronomats. Navitimer (Montbrillant and Cosmonaute had low sales anyway) and Galactic ranges will be seriously trimmed down. That could mean that prices will be even higher in the future if solely in-house-movements are used.

However, they're currently working on the 02 movement which will, most probably, not be presented before BaselWorld 2012.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

This is consistent with what I have ben told - expect a dramatic reduction in the number of models available. Especially the Navi range will be decimated. Of course the original Superocean is gone, the Steelfish will be replaced as well, we know the traditional Chronomat is gone.

It is much more than putting some in house movements in existing models and leaving some other alone - it is a complete restructuring of the ranges - top to bottom.

All the while BOTH the ADs I frequent lament their inability to sell Galactic watches and the general "eeeeww" factor they get from most customers. Especially the ladies Galctic, my contacts are steering people to other brands. They didn't have to do that before the Galactic replaced the other ladies models.

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SHARKMAN

Yes for once and for all - this isn't speculation. My AD read me an email from BUSA's Southwest Rep where she stated in part, "Please tell MR. [Sharkman] to purchase any pieces he is considering in the next 2 weeks."

I suppose one could take the position that since he haven't seen the ressurected Christ despite what the other 11 delusional guys keep saying, it hasn't happened. Know what happened there.

It's happening - heck even the folks at the local Tourneau know and that's one step above COSTCO.

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SHARKMAN

I've started hearing some noises about dramatic changes at Basel as well. There definitely is a need for rationalisation in the offering so I am OK with that, and a more modular approach makes sense as Breitling becomes more self reliant.

The amount of time that it is taking to announce the next in house variant disturbs me, and I am hearing that it won't be ready for Basel, and I am a little confused by the continuation of the Bentley relationship - money I suspect. I'm also a little surprised that the Galactic styled offering is going to be cut back so quickly which it apparently is - although that's a pleasant surprise.

I think we are certainly going to have some interesting fodder for debate in the next couple of months, but it sounds like we may have to wait until later in the year for some of the new pieces to emerge.

B01 movements are rolling out for the Navitimers first. But the Chronomat that we know and love is going away to be replaced by the case design of the Chronomat B01. For my part, I will not miss rider tabs!!

Also the four classes of Windrider, etc, are getting renamed.

All this second hand from the BUSA rep.

Tom

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Now: Chronomat '97, SOH chrono, Airwolf Raven, Navi LE 01
Past: Aerospace(5x),Aviastar(2x),Blackbird(orig, 2nd ed),B-1(3x),SOPro(2x),Cockpit,Chronospace orig,CosmoLE,Emergency,Montbr.(2x),Navis: Old,A23322(2x),Fighters,50th(2x),ChronoMatic(2x),...

I think this is all welcomed news. The Buck Rogers Experiment can't end soon enough. Do away with the gimmicks, the countless "LE's", useless bezels, funny colors and return to turning out true instruments for professionals.

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

NOT GETTING RENAMED, GOING AWAY!

Yeah that's what I heard as well.

Well, I was eyeing a Steelfish. I wonder if now would be the time to get it.

I think it's high time Jackson.

Steelfish Steelfish Steelfish

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.