The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I got a deal locally on a barely used Submariner (no date) for $5500, and backed out at the last minute. I just couldn't see spending that much money on last year's model. The new one hasn't quite been released, but the date version is out for $8000. Holy smokes! And I thought Breitlings were overpriced.

So, let's assume for a moment that Breitlings are good watches and Rolexes are also good watches. Why is the Rolex so damn much more expensive? Is it just the name, the marketing, or is it really that much better than our beloved B's?

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

$8,000 is comparable with Breitling in house models. The bear in mind that Rolex makes pretty much everything in house so it's an 'in house' watch, not just an 'in house' movement.

Of course the simple rule of supply and demand also factors in - Rolex prices them that way because they can (as does Breitling although the discounts have to be bigger to sell the required volumes).

Both of my closest ADs have either stopped carrying Breitling or closed up shop entirely, so I haven't seen the new in house models in person.

Maybe I should hurry up and buy one of the old watches while I still have a chance.

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

Both are expensive watches, Rolex actually not that bad, comparatively, for an in-house. The "trouble" with Rolex is that I think WISs tend to consider "in-house" and "mass produced" as exclusive things. It's easy to overlook that Rolex qualifies as an "in-house". Nobody makes anywhere close to the volume of "in house" that Rolex does, unless you want to call maybe Seiko an "in-house." And with that, the barn door is flung full open.

Rolex is the subject of another anomaly. "Mass production" and "high resale" seem also to be exclusive, but not with Rolex. I'm considering a pre-owned Transocean LE right now at a price far lower than you would ever see for any Rolex of the same age and new price point. Fastest selling watch I ever sold was my old GMT, for more than I paid pre-owned, nine years prior.

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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

Breitling will continue to make non-in-house models for quite a while. Breitling does not currently produce any three-hand models that are in-house, so comparing any of them to the Rolex Submariner in terms of price is really an apples and oranges comparison. Beyond that, most of the Breitling three-hand models are not in the upper tier of Breitling's offerings, so they will inherently be less expensive than Rolex three-hand models, and fit and finish will vary accordingly. If Breitling were to produce a flagship line, in-house three-hand model, I wouldn't be surprised if the price approached Rolex territory.

Transocean is the closest thing, it won't be a big priority to make it in-house IMO as Breitling is far more directed towards Chronometers.

You have a BMW as your avatar or whatever you call it....And you ask if Rolex is that much better.
Your parents bought you books.....sent you to school.....And what did you do?

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"In the end there can be but one"

because its a rolex man! only the best watch ever made

Rolex makes a great watch...with these caveats....

1. Any "mall ninja" in America can lay hands on a Rolex. They're everywhere...like the trees seem to be on any golf course I attempt to play.

2. They seem (to me) to show a lack of imagination. There are so many good watches out there...but it's a lot like buying a beige sedan. Sure, it gets you where you're going...but so does a Ferrari. YMMV.

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Breitling Super Avenger, IWC Mark XVI, Rolex GMT-Master II

im sure any of the brands making high end swiss watches would die to be in Rolex's spot today. the name of the game is to make money and no one does it better than Rolex.

as far as lacking imagination....well thats your opinion. im sure most of the enthusiasts will tell you that its more an issue of being iconic. look at how awesome Zenith was with their imagination of the Defy line. and we all know what happend to that.

Listen to this man...He knows..

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"In the end there can be but one"

What exactly is a "Mall Ninja" LOL ?????

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Chronomat Evolution / Mother of Pearle Face
SuperOcean 44 / Blue / Ocean Racer Strap
Tag / Formula Chrono / Black

See "Drug store Cowboy"......"PX Hero"

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"In the end there can be but one"

OK, you lost me. Are you arguing in favor of the beige sedan, or the Ferrari? And which one is analogous to a Rolex?