The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Im not actually a TAG fan--I just think it would be a good fit because its relatively good quality, costs significantly less, and is probably a much more familiar brand to the cousin and others, who see it as being very high end. It just seems much more fitting.

Fair point. I'll let you off, RJRJRJ.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Ok my opinion on this matter is this... a watch is something very personal either it speaks to you or it does not...I woudl compare it to getting married to what you consider to be the most beautiful gilr in the world..every one has different tastes.... and most on this forum have been fortunate enough to be married a few time (watches terms ofcourse!)....

I have been in exactly the same situation as yourself (however for me it was my brother in law and it was his graduation)...and what I have done is taken him out in the guise of buying a time piece for myself... and wanted to get his much valued opinion! noticed him carefully as we went around on different shops/brands... saw his face light up at an omega...seammaster... anyway walked away form the shop and then on his graduation presented him with the watch...

what i am trying to say is this, to thsi date he is still nto a watch person but he loves his omega!!! as this is the one that spoke to him... so.....

if you are going the route of watch... plan on some getting soem intel... and then decide oh and one last this PLEASE KEEP US POSTED???

Sorry if the response was a bit long....

M

A watch is a nice gift. The only doubt Id have giving someone a Breitling is knowing how hard it was to choose my own...its such a personal thing, the choice of style, colour, strap etc etc. At this price level, it may be worth thinking about giving him a hint as to what you are thinking of gifting him ? Can you get a handle on what he likes or dislikes in some way without totally spoiling the gesture ?
How about getting a 'gift token' or credit note for the amount you wish to spend from a dealer you want to use...that way he can buy something from personal choice. Difficult, I sympathise.
My sons 21st birthday went a similar way (a Breitling was the goal from the start), and after a lot of thought my wife and I decided to split the risk. We took him out on a mystery tour (he had no idea what we were up to) to the town where my AD was....I took him into the AD and told him to have a look around Luckily it panned out...after a close call with a Tag, he found the Breitling display. It was good fun for both of us.
Good luck, Im sure he will really appreciate whatever you choose to go for.

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"Per Ardua Ad Lingi"

What's a Tuxedo Navitimer? Black dial w/black face?

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

Generally, I would not recommend spending a good sum of money on a watch as a present without first ascertaining the interest in fine mechanical timepieces of the potential beneficiary.

I have a similar story to that of the neglected Navitimer.

Years before I became interested in watches, back in the early nineties (when even a lot of Breitlings were shite), I remember a university friend whose uncle had given him a Rolex Daytona 6263 as a high school graduation present. We just kinda laughed that my mate had a Rolex – the story was that his uncle had bought it in the early eighties for five hundred bucks. It wasn’t gold or anything, so what was the big deal? My mate used to skateboard with it on. Yes, the plexiglass was ruined! It wasn’t until one day during lunch that a student from Hong Kong made quite a funny scene over this watch that anyone – including the lucky, but naïve owner – had any idea what a cool watch it was.

Watches are such a personal thing – I would suggest first taking someone into a top store, and seeing if they’re interested in the whole thing.

If he has shown interest in Breitlings, I think it would be the best gift he could get. We were on a cruise last year. My wife wanted to get a watch, so we went into a shop. Our sales guy was wearing a Breitling. That got my interest. After we bought her watch, we went to a couple other stores to look at Breitlings, but I couldn't justify the price. The last watch I had was a fake Tag. Last Christmas, she bought me a Breitling. I think I almost cried. I definitely do not know much about watches, but I absolutely love this one. Greatest gift ever.