The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Well I have heard it said that we might see some come up for sale. Although I did read somewhere that the Italians themselves are still wealthy, it's their government that is bankrupt!

Most of the collectors I know would sell off a lot of other things before they did their watches. Vintage watches seem to inspire the Gollum in most of us.

Going back to Japan, certainly for the dealers I know in the UK it was a major market five to ten years ago, with Japanese dealers coming over and snapping up a lot of watches. Now they say while they can still sell to Japan it's a lot harder and the dealers coming on shopping trips have all but vanished.

Be interesting to get a perspective from your Japanese contact on it.



I wonder if the fact that we are a new generation of internet collectors has changed our intial perception. I can only go on my experience, when I started collecting there were something like 15+ watch dealers in Portobello market. Now there are maybe four to five. Having said that I hear that trade is still brisk in some of the dedicated markets around the UK and the German watch fairs and obviously the internet has had a huge impact in all collectibles.



I didn't know Breitling was featured in the books. Obviously Connery wore the Submariner mostly (he did wear that Toptime, that was redesigned by the props guys!), it's certaily the watch he's associated with.

However I still think that from a brand marketing point of view Breitling doesn't have the same name recognition to compete with say Heuer. The Carrera is the same as a TopTime, but that simple association with a famous motor racing event gives it a brand edge.



I think that is certainly true (although not to take anything away from Rolex's and their achievments) it's interesting for example that they have taken the first watch to Everest position, when in fact they were one of several watches on that expedition and the a Smith's was also worn to the Summit.



I think that as the big name brands become more and more expensive people start to search harder outside of those brands and that brings the value of other watches into focus and makes them more collectible. I also feel that collectors will prize the unique watches that each brand might have to offer and this will push their desirability further over time.

I also think that as people collect certain types of watches, divers for example, then adding a Breitling version of that type of watch will grow more often.

Here's a selection of watches that myself and a few friends lined up.



Nicely said. I think all of us who invest time in understanding the vintage objects we desire feel this way. I would add that for me it is more exciting to collect Breitling than Rolex, because I'd rather be the one mapping out new territory than following a map.

Thanks Yaffle ,
Great collection of divers got together !

we seemed to have diverted to why we collect as opposed to why there's aren't many more Breitling collectors

After thinking about this I believe it is part appeal insofar as many people do not want to be seen with an 'old' watch that doesn't 'demand' the same kind of respect that a new watch does with the non collectors , a new watch is so much easier identified as an "O" , "R" , "B" , "T" etc to name a few . I also understand the worry of not having a new watch , my reasoning however is "it's been working for 50 odd years and it will continue to work for another 50" and not having to worry about extra 'charm' (scratch) here and there counts for something as well.

why Breitling for me personally ? .. I think it again comes down to personal appeal , history , design , load of interesting pieces from different series to choose from .. and yes affordability of an A class brand certainly counts ! , I dont think I could have afforded all the watches I have/had if there was a crown on the dial

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard