The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am curious to know what you all think is the point of diminishing returns on saving some $$$ versus paying a little extra for a new watch. I bought my first nice watch new because I felt the difference between what they were going for used was not all that great versus what I could get a new one for and the comfort of a face to face AD deal and a full warranty seemed worth it.

In order to more closely compare apples to apples let's assume we are talking about a new watch from an AD and he gives you a reasonable discount. The used watch needs to be in great shape, come will all papers/boxes and have a few months left on the warranty. That just seems like a good place to start the argument. A 4-5 year old watch with no papers that has been around the block, in my mind, would be a different animal than a minimally used watch that is a year or two old.

Here is my fictitious scenario, but not too far off from a few watches I have been considering:
$4000 watch. AD will give you 25% so it is $3000 to you. You can get the same watch used for $2500.

All round numbers and maybe not 100% accurate but you get the idea. First $500 is nothing to sneeze at (at least for me) but if you have $2500 to blow on a wrist ornament you probably can stomach the extra $500. The devil on one shoulder says get the new one and be done with it, it is a waste no matter how you slice it to tell time so if you are going to do it, do it all the way. The angel on the other side says why not save a few bucks, it is almost new, after 6 months you would never be able to tell the difference between the two. Also, if you by used and don't fall head over heels for it you can probably sell it for close to what you have in it and be right back where you started.

Based on your scenario the 500 would not be much of a point to consider in my purchasing decision. Now if the stakes were to be higher it would be a major point of consideration.

Example: Watch new lists for 15k/AD discount of 25% = 11,250/Pre-owned price point is 8k with box and papers (most likely no warranty left). In this scenario the price difference would be a major consideration to me. Of course based on each individual's financial capacity, this is all fairly relative to his/her means.

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I totally hear you on that, the bigger the initial price the more in between. Given my situation and other high dollal (to me anyway) consuming hobies/interests I don't see a 5 figure watch any time soon. I think about 7,500 is the max I see paying for a watch in the next several years....not that I would not love to have several.

I get the scenario but the circumstance I have run into is just a little different. The preowned is a private sale but new is a retailer, so add about 9 % sales tax. Now the scenario takes it to 750-800 more. That's the point where I run into a dilemma.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

Lots of brick and morter businesses out there you can work with out of state. Most will ship overnight. If you buy out of state there is no sales tax. Given my limited time and the hassle of traffic it is almost "better" to deal with people via email/phone and have it shipped to you, save the tax AND the drive.

That said I did buy my Steelfish and my wife's Cartier locally. Bit the bullet and paid the sales tax. Figured there is some fun in having it right now, plus hopefully the taxes get some of the $hitty roads around here fixed, but not holding my breath.

In the price range I generally look at, $2,000-5,000, generally would need to save about $700+ for me to go used. A savings of less than $600 would most likely push me to go new. $600-700 difference could be gray area depending on other circumstances.

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Yea that is right about where I am. I was using round numbers to make it easy; 4000, 3000/2500, 500 etc. but it realy is more like 6-700 when all said and done. No brainer for me at 400 or less I would go new. At 8-900 easy decision to go used. Somewhere between 500 and 800 is the gray area for me.

I'm right there close to $1K for the decision area, and howspecial the watch is, if it's a long-term keeper, and how much my mood requires instant gratification will also come into play.

For me, the fact that I know almost nothing about watches means I would only consider new or at least unworn, newer watches. It's one thing to "buy the seller", but what if the seller is as clueless as me with regard to wether or not his watch is functioning perfectly (or worse yet, it has changed hands a few times, exponentially increasing the risk)?

Fortunately for me I haven't lusted after any piece that's long sold out with only well used examples available for sale.

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a few Pams...

Spending the $500 extra for the new watch is a better move because you get the full two year warranty.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

There is the full warranty, the taxes as mentioned, plus there is always a risk (varies) when buying used. Could be anywhere from watch is exactly as described (no risk) to a total rip-off.

I've bought and sold several B's used, only once was there an issue and that was an eBay purchase (by me) of a fake. A few days of worrying over it but the seller claimed that he didn't know and refunded me the purchase price and return shipping, mostly to save his eBay rep I assume. In that case, there was no way that a reputable experienced dealer would not have known it was a fake, so I got lucky.

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Breitling, Omega, Rolex... what can I say, I like Swiss watches.

I agree. New all the way unless you know and trust the sellers reputation. The only exception I can think of is if you visited an AD that sells pre-owned pieces with a warranty. It might be their own warranty but at least you know it came from an AD therefore it's authenticity should be without question.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

I'd buy Rolex new all day long and Breitling used as the prices fall heavily initially on Breitlings so you can get a real bargain used Breitling, Rolex hold their values (on steel)

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Rolex Daytona Panda Dial 116509 40mm
Breitling Chronomat GMT Limited AB0412 47mm
Tag Heuer Link Chrono Auto CJF2110 42mm