The Breitling Watch Source Forums

To be perfectly honest I can't think of a single watch manufacturer's website that is just right. I don't have a huge problem with Breitling's site, other than the sound effects and a few framing issues, but they could still improve it IMO.

Ultimately what I want to see when I go to any watchmaker's website is all the models in an easily accessible place. I want to be able to see all the colour/dial/strap combinations available. I want to be able to see the watch from all angles - either still shots or a dynamic 360 degree view. I want a full run down of the watch's dimensions, and it's full technical specification. I want to know what the movement is - whether it's running a standard ETA, a modified ETA, and "brand exclusive" movement, a full in-house, etc. And I want to be able to see all this QUICKLY!

Anything else IMO, is all just fluff. Sure if they want to put moody/artistic macro or half dial shots, then fine do it..., but do it in addition to the standard pictures and information I mentioned above. I'm also quite happy for Flash to be kept to a minimum, and I sure as hell can do without sound effects that don't end within 10 seconds of arriving at the homepage!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Many watch manufacturers websites = pretentiousness on an epic scale, their collective heads stuck up their a***holes.

Same here. The temp on my MacBook shoots up precipitously after a few minutes on that site (Rolex too). I stay away for fear of computer damage.

I have come close to posting a thread like this many times. I dread wanting to reference the info on that site, because I know it will take me an eternity to access it. Pretty much everybody has already voiced what I feel about it. I'm with Driver8: give me the info and comprehensive views of the watches, and ditch all the animation.

And, while I'm on the subject, what's with all the depressingly dark photos of airplanes?

[quote="JacksonStone"]I have come close to posting a thread like this many times. I dread wanting to reference the info on that site, because I know it will take me an eternity to access it. Pretty much everybody has already voiced what I feel about it. I'm with Driver8: give me the info and comprehensive views of the watches, and ditch all the animation.

And, while I'm on the subject, what's with all the depressingly dark photos of airplanes?[/quoteCould be worse - last year they had that hip-hop beat with the fake radio traffic playing on a loop on the entire site.

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SHARKMAN

Totally agree. I recently bought a SOH Chrono and if I show someone online, I take them to PrestigeTime.com. The site is simply too painfully slow to use.

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I'm in the "web" industry and yes the Breitling site is pretty bad.

I dont need to see the New York Boutique screen EVERY time I visit especially with no skip button. That first video with audio that autoplays is annoying to see every time too. The graphics and design isn't bad, but an all flash site can lead to poor navigation and long load times.

Omega redesigned their site last year, it's easy to navigate but a little on the bland side.

I like the graphics and presenstation of the Rolex site, but I can see how the flash might irritate users. at least they offer an HTML version.

Tag Heuer probably has the worst graphics and style. It's just a big mess and the newer models never get added. I think they are in the process of developing a new site.

The IWC site is probably my favorite. Very clean, professional, lots of information and little/no flash.

+1 I was extremely disappointed the first time I went to lux watch sites like rolex, omega, etc.

+1 to IWC. They've recently done a redesign and I like it. Clean and well done. Judicious use of javascript and no flash.

Breitling's site is horrific. At least they got rid of the '99% of watches online are fakes' crap.