The Breitling Watch Source Forums

hi there,

as some of you may have noticed, i'm new to breitling and to this forum. i'm finding breitling watches increasingly tempting, and am working lots of extra shifts to get one ;D

where in the world do you think you can get the best prices for new breitling watches? i've had a look on ebay.com and ebay.uk and it seems the US prices are cheapter than UK (?). i keep hearing about singapore and dubai as well...

i suppose US is a good deal as the retail price is cheaper and because of the conversion rate (i live in the UK).

thanks for your professional input

North American retail prices are lower than in Europe, but that's only part of the story. You also have to factor in shipping, taxes and import duty. The middle east is also a good source - especially locations like Dubai where there are no sales taxes.

eBay is certainly a source for some good deals, but the risks are obvious. If you are looking for a new piece you are better off with an AD. The online dealers may offer you a better price, but no factory warranty.

I see from your other post that you are looking at a LE piece, and obviously they are harder to get hold of - you won't have the same choice there.

North American retail prices are lower than in Europe, but that's only part of the story. You also have to factor in shipping, taxes and import duty. The middle east is also a good source - especially locations like Dubai where there are no sales taxes.

eBay is certainly a source for some good deals, but the risks are obvious. If you are looking for a new piece you are better off with an AD. The online dealers may offer you a better price, but no factory warranty.

I see from your other post that you are looking at a LE piece, and obviously they are harder to get hold of - you won't have the same choice there.[/quote]

-------

hi, and thanks for your reply!

well, that limited edition watch would be nice, but i think it's a lot of money to spend on a watch (for me)... i suppose it's better to buy outside the UK if you're on holiday... would you get VAT refunds in the US and Dubai?

on average, after dealing, what sort of a discount would be you be looking at (comparing UK to US)... 15-30%?

thanks

You would get local sales tax refunds if you are a non resident, but your purchases will be liable to UK VAT and potentially import duty.

North American discounts will vary depending on the location and store, but as a first time, unknown buyer you could still expect 20+% discount from North American list if you shop around - 30% is doable, but maybe harder for a first purchase.

Hi! Anything you need to know about Dubai - fire away!
1. No Sales tax in Dubai. No VAT in Dubai. No Income Tax in Dubai. Just NO TAX!
2. Prices ARE definitely cheaper in Dubai. if you go to the Breitling Website and Look up AD's - you will get the phone number/ email of the AD in Dubai - Kunooz Jewellers. They are pretty prompt in their response. I am not sure if they will ship it to you.
Perspective : Avenger Skyland & Super Avenger (All Steel) Cost AED 15,200 post their customary 15% discount. Or USD 4,135.

_________________
Black Breitling Super Avenger - 2008 Batons Model,
Black Hamilton Khakhi X-Wind
Black Marathon Le Grand Plongeur

Thats decent, but an AD is the US can get you almost a grand off that amount after discount.

hi.

sorry, i'm new to this whole breitling thing, but what's that compared to the US price? i have a friend that works there, so might be able to get something done... how about a standard navitimer? any clue?

thanks

Shamrock, I pm'd you don't know if you got it but if you phone that number just now or tomorrow afternoon I'm sure they could do you a decent price.

_________________

Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

cool. i'll have a look. thanks

Well, I am from Singapore and if you ask me I look at the prices online for the US sites it seems cheaper. Maybe due to the drop in USD vs SGD, but typically whatever price that is retail in Singapore you can get about 20% off it.

Let me know if you are interested to get one in Singapore and I let you know where you should head.

cheers!

_________________
Breitling Skyracer S/S with white dial

At the moment, You get the absolutely best prices for watches with the name "Breitling" in China. You can buy one, that looks like a navitimer for about 50 US$, one looking like a Chronomat costs a little bit more, about 65 US$. Believe me, Your friends will not spot them as a fake, unless they are experts.

Oh, You want a real one? Go to Your nearest 3 ADs, compare the discount and let them have the business. I don't know, what branch You are in, but I doubt, that You will receive money (even via 5 different trades) from a Businessman in Dubai. But maybe You can earn money from the attorney of You AD. Or You might walk on a street, partly paied with Your ADs taxes.

Shortsightedly buying things worldwide just because of the pricing kills Your local business, which leads to a detoriation of Your personal environment.

BG
Thomas

_________________
http://www.ellert.at

I partly understand your point and feelings Thomas.

But, and there is a but, if the local AD's are all heavily overpriced compared to the rest of the world, they deserve to go out of business. I try to support my local shops as much as possible (and I prefer to shop inside the city rather than at the big malls outside the city, just because I want them to stay in the city) but everything has a limit. Today, in the internet age, some shopkeepers still haven't realized their prices can be compared to others.

_________________
Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Fair point Thomas, and I can certainly understand your stance on this given your profession, but irrespective of where people buy their goods, the Taxman will still get his cut in terms of VAT when the goods come through customs. (Certainly here in the UK anyway).

I'm 100% with Aleister on this one I'm afraid. I have supported my local AD for over 10 years, but when I can save literally thousands of pounds by buying abroad....., well, I certainly know where I will be buying my next one from.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

I agree that if the price difference runs into thousands of dollars or pounds, then I would not hesitate to buy the watch in another country. If there is a problem with the high pricing in a paticular country, then something should be done either by the distrubutor, AD or even the government if it is due to taxes.

Think about it this way, you are getting the exact same thing and you can get a "free" holiday from the savings when you fly over. What is there to stop it? It is unlike things like a burger or a small value item where it might not be worth taking a trip to purchase.

Luxury goods makers usually price their items similiarly across the globe, differences are small. But in this case, the disparity seems a tad too huge. There is suppose to be some form of global price control and if it is not controlled properly, well the distrubutors, ADs or even the government (less taxes) in the country suffers.

These are global times with the internet to connect people, it is no longer such you can charge a certain amount in country A and expect people in country B to be clueless.

Just my 2 cents, or 2 pence worth. Hope nobody finds this offensive.

_________________
Breitling Skyracer S/S with white dial

Part of this debate revolves around exchange rates. I first visited the States on Freddie Laker's SkyTrain back in 1981 when you got about $2.30/£1.00. When I returned just 4 years later, the two currencies were all but parity. What seemed a cheap destination became horrendously expensive. A bargain watch would have become way overpriced.



I'm sure any manufacturer setting MRP on a global level tries to take account of currency differences but obviously can't forecast every slight variation. However, when long term US prices are far, far lower than European prices (after import duty/taxes), no one can be surprised that buyers vote (literally) with their feet and fund their holiday from what is saved buying overseas.

10/15 years ago, there was a booming trade in sales of "direct import" cars in the UK where buyers could save as much as 30% by purchasing a (UK made) car in a Belgium rather than at home. As pressure grew, so manufacturers revised their UK price lists to bring them in line and the cross border trade stopped.

MOTWYW