The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Took the wife shopping to Truro this morning and had a good look in the window at the local AD, Michael Spiers, to see what they had in.

She noticed that they were having a sale so quick as a flash she says "let's go in and have a look".

Thought I had struck paydirt when she found an Avenger with blue face and blue leather being offered at just over £2000 brand new. She asked me if I thought it was a bargain and I told her it was really good at that price. She told the assistant to get the paperwork sorted as she was going to buy it!

I thought my birthday had come early and was really excited until she told me she was buying this as an investment as the rates at the bank are so low and she thinks it better to buy something decent and hold onto it for a while before selling it on at a small profit. She is now thinking of checking out sale offers at any other AD's in the area as well.

Can't argue with her reasoning but she is now taking up space in my gunsafe with her watch that I could be using for a new one for myself



We even got given a Breitling box of chocolates into the deal as well so all in all a very happy morning for all concerned.

If she's buying as an 'investment' then I would stop her now before you lose all your money!

Watches make horrible investments.

She reckons on the idea that if she can get them at a good price in the sales, and keeps them as new and unworn, then she will be able to sell them for a small rpofit in the future...not too shabby when you consider all the banks are giving at the moment here is 0.5% interest

Even if the watch is new and unworn it depreciates because the warranty will have expired in 2-yrs. This is a horrible, horrible investment.

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Current:
Chronospace Silver, Black Ocean Racer
Navi World Silver, Aero Classic
Chronomatic 1461 Bronze, Bronze DP-1
SA White, Diamonds, Pro 2 Diamonds
SA Black, Bentley Rubber
Navi 1461 LE, Black DP-1
Chronomat GMT Silver, Pilot

Sorry guys but I think she has got it right, she has a brand new Avenger Chrono on blue leather for £2000 and reckon she could move that on quite easily within the next 6 months at £2200 due to condition and model etc...this would give her a 10% return which she could not get anywhere in the UK at any bank. Not sure what your rates are for savers in Canada but half a percent here in the UK is awful

If you can find a buyer for £2,200, why would an AD not have sold it at that price already?!

This topic has been discussed in the forum before but if you think you know something that no one else does then go buy 10 watches and make a fortune!

Ignorance is bliss.

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Current:
Chronospace Silver, Black Ocean Racer
Navi World Silver, Aero Classic
Chronomatic 1461 Bronze, Bronze DP-1
SA White, Diamonds, Pro 2 Diamonds
SA Black, Bentley Rubber
Navi 1461 LE, Black DP-1
Chronomat GMT Silver, Pilot

Jeez there was me thinking Breitling owners were nice people, maybe that's just in the UK!

What is your problem? Ignorance I would say is emanating form Vancouver at the moment!

Not making any comments on the tone of the responses, but....

Here's an LE Avenger that recently sold on eBay - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/BREITLING-Avenge ... 4ab0b1a577

That was 'like new' and sold for US$2,350 - about GBP 1,500. You don't say whether the strap was calf or croc, deployant or tang, and I am no expert on UK prices, but I have never, ever, heard of someone buying a new watch and flipping it for profit with the exception of the original Avenger Skyland Blacksteel for a couple of months when it first came out.

I've seen a few people try here, and they don't sell until they drop their prices. I know of many people who have bought a 2 or 3 year old watch, worn it for a few months and then flipped it for what they paid or perhaps a little more, but not new.

I hope that you can buck that trend, but I would very sincerely caution you and your wife not to go into this as a business venture to make money on watches. Even in this economy there are many, many better investment vehicles.

I'm just happy you're not doing what I thought, the way i initially read the title--collecting wives. I did just wake up this morning, better grab breakfast before I read any more.

I know nothing about the market for Avengers right now, but I would suggest you tread lightly trying this out for financial gain. I have made money on a watch, but it was a pre-owned Rolex that I owned for several years, and then the old GMT which had the color options with the bezels. They went up in value after the GMTII-C came out. More often than not I have lost a little money, though I have always bought my watches to wear them.

I suggested this to a fellow who posted suggesting the investment angle a couple of months ago--if you want to try this, you likely will have better luck with some brands than others. Unfortunately, Breitling isn't one of them. Resale is generally tough on them, a little better on the limited editions, but tough. I have seen some people who bought really, really right who could possibly have sold their pieces for more money on a quick turnaround. But they had to get them, again, really far off MSRP. It's the exception, not the rule.

Rolex has some manic collectors who will go nuts over just the right model, but it isn't a matter of just picking up one down at the local store. As with any collectible investment, it takes a little research. Same with Panerai, which makes more limited editions than I could ever keep track of. They have a rabid, and younger, fan base but again, research is the key. Probably time as well, as the big appeal is being out of production.

You obviously have the Avenger so try it and see what happens. Worst case, you have a new Avenger.

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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

For the most part we Breitling owners are pretty nice people and the Breitlingsource community is pretty cool. All of us hope your wife can make a profit, but through extensive expereince we are realists. We are trying to be helpful.

Here is reality - an absolutely awesome, top drawer, hit paydirt price on a LNIB Avenger on the BRACELET would be $3000 US, a little less than what your wife paid for the piece. Worn or unworn, Breitlings and most other brands are worth 50-60% of retail the moment you get it home. So even with a great deal from the AD, the actual resale value is almost always lower than what you paid for it. And they do not appreciate over time. That's not being nasty or nice - just the facts.

But there is a good spin for you! If (when) your wife discovers she cannot sell the watch for a profit, YOU get a LNIB Avenger to add to the rotation. WIN-WIN baby!

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SHARKMAN

This is not a business venture and is the first time she has shown any interest in Breitlings or watches...she doesn't even wear one herself. She has seen though that banks are not paying any interest on savings and if she keeps the watch for a few months and then sells it on she could stand to make around 5 or 10%, which is way more than she would get in the bank. This is her first and only watch purchase and shocked me when she bought it.
The example you quote was sold in the US where watch prices are quite a bit lower than here in the UK and so the secondhand market here in the UK is different as well...you only have to look at Watchfinders secondhand prices to see that.
You have a 3 year old one on that auction site here in the UK and that is with a bid of £1920 to sell so you never know in the UK market.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Breitling-Sup ... 4600294bf6

She bought this at half the UK list price so reckoned it was a good deal, remember guys that many of you are spoilt by the great prices you have overseas that we don't benefit from...UK list on this one is over £4300.

I had thought this might be a slightly amusing post and never imagined the hornets nest this has stirred up chaps...do like the thought of another new Breitling though at a later date

That's not an Avenger, it's a Super Avenger, and it's on bracelet.

That's a Super Avenger - higher priced and has a bit higher resale % than an Avenger because it is Breitling's most popular model. Plus it is on a bracelet, not a strap, so again higher start price, higher resale. You indicated she bought an Avenger - different watch.

Is it an Avenger or Super Avenger?

We all hope she can make a profit. It's just rare even in the UK. Many of our memebrs and one of our moderators live in the UK. Roff is a former resident of England himself.

Anyway, good luck.

EDIT - Roff "fast fingers" The Prof beat me again.

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SHARKMAN

My mistake as I am sure hers is the Avenger and the book price was £4300 or thereabouts so it must be the standard Avenger.

I reckon she stands a good chance and will keep you updated when she decides to sell it on. I still reckon that she stands to sell in the next few months for around £2200 making herself 10%...even if she sells at £2100 she has made herself 5% which is more than she would have got letting the money sit in the bank.

Good luck. If I were you I'd be praying it didn't work out. The conversation would be -

W - I'm sorry Darling, but it looks like we will lose a little money on this Breitling.

H - Well Honey it was a good try. I am very impressed with your efforts.

W - Now what do I do with this silly watch??

H - It will be hard, but I suppose I could get used to wearing it. Anything for you Sweetie.

W - I have the BEST husband!!

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SHARKMAN