The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Omega? Don't recall ever seeing them grouped with Rolex, PP and AP before.

It's true though...I lived/worked in HK a few years. Asians value the Omega brand more than Breitling...and although they won't see it as on par with AP or PP, it's more desireable than Breitling.

I personally always had Breitling in mind as a small step above Omega, but given the recent changes to Breitling designs, and Omega improvements, I now see Omega charging a bit ahead. It's too bad really. Breitling really needs to fire their design director.

_________________
18k Rolex Datejust / Breitling Crosswind Special / Patek SS Nautilus / Bvlgari Diagono Chrono / Bvlgari Scuba / Omega Speedmaster Professional / 60s Omega Constellation

Breitling really needs to fire their design director.[/quote]

You mean that Aztec/Aztek guy?

bingo! took the words right out of my mouth.



i use to personally view Breitling ahead of Omega...now sadly not so much. IN the last couple of years it really seemed that Omega made a huge push over in the asian markets. Youre totally right dlNYC Omega is not viewed on par as AP or PP in HK but its DEFINITELY more desirable than Breitling over there.

Well, technically I am the bad guy here... I'm the person Breitling has been (presumably) targeting with these redesigns...mid-to-late 20s professional... Yet I don't like some of the new designs much myself. When presented with the choice of a new Superocean or old Superocean, I went for the older Steelfish. When I felt the bezel on a new SO44, I looked at the salesperson and said "is this rubber?"...3 grand and rubber...really?...because that will hold up in a saltwater environment beautifully. The Chronomat models I like are discontinued ([real] Blackbird, Evolution/Cal13, and Crosswind). I'm a big fan of (regular) steel rather than painted or rubber, a dive watch I can actually use when diving, the ability to strip the band and bezel apart to clean sand and crap out of it, the lack of extra add-ons to get messed up, and satin over full chrome bands)...all of which are what originally attracted to Breitling years before I could afford one. Nothing wrong with the new ideas...I'm sure some people like them but why did they have to abandon traditional ideas outright? I like that 'sterile instrument' look.

I agree. I have now lived in this region for 15 years, I travel quite a bit between Australia, Asia and Europe and I very seldom see a Breitling on a wrist in Asia and if I do than most of the time it is on a wrist that belongs to a foreigner like me. I have no problem bumping into Breitling strapped to a wrist in Australia and in Europe. It is certainly much, much easier to spot an Omega on the wrist in Asia than Breitling. The area where I lived in Hong Kong is also popular with Cathay Pacific pilots due, well, nice area and proximity to HK Airport. I know only one pilot with a Breitling watch.
Brand presence is another thing. I remember a couple of years ago when I was not a fanatic yet, blindly looking for a Breitling AD in Hong Kong not having checked on their web site first.
Rolex and Omega flash boutiques by the dozen. Even a blind could find a Rolex or Omega boutique.
It took me quite some time of wandering from shop to shop until I finally stumbled across one that sells Breitling watches. Typically it is hardly obvious from the shop front, the Breitling corner is tucked away somewhere in a back of a shop.
So who and where and who are these buyers of Breitling watches here in Asia that are driving Breitling latest design trends, sales volumes and allegedly crazy prices?

Looking in my watch case, it is probably me

_________________
"It is just a matter of time!"

A blind?

_________________
"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."
2012 GShock 5I Mudman
2012 Breitling Colt 44
2011 Breitling Transocean chrono mercury silver
2011 Rolex Submariner 14060M
2010 Omega Planet Ocean XL
1979 Rolex Date Just two tone

That said, I've just sold my beautiful blue Aviastar and I'm already pretty sad about that. Longer post to follow, hopefully in the next couple of days.

_________________
Chronomat 41 BEB, Steelfish Chrono BEB, 2x Grand Premier, Chrono Cockpit 39 mm, Aerospace Avantage 79362
IWC 3706, 3705, 376706, 371928
Sinn 103 plexy
For sale: Sinn 356 II, Porsche Design Titan Chrono Valjoux
Wanted: Breitling Blackbird 13353 on bracelet

As a fellow Asian, I can totally vouch for the popularity of Omega. Very popular watches, especially the Constellations.

My mother had a TT Connie and then upgraded to the TT Datejust awhile back. Of course one isolated situation but definitely among my circle she wasn't the only one to have an Omega or Rolex.

Don't forget Adrian we love Cartier too.

_________________
"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Yes how could I forget Andrew. Cartier is a brand that us "Asians" love . The asian market is really about name recognition and face. Breitling just doesnt seem to fit into these 2 categories.

It's not necessarily grouping Omega with the big boys... It's just what the Asian market likes. Whether they see Omega on par with the rest of them is highly subjective.

_________________
"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

I would have been the same as all of the above up to six months ago. I now have a Chronomat B01 that is on my
wrist and would be the last out the door if it ever comes to that. I agree that tradition is an important thing in
most things of life but tradition can also be a anchor if allowed. I was very upset when the new B01 came out
as I was thinking of buying one to have the flagship with in-house but could not get past the look.
Enter the Blackbird blueface I bought almost out of contempt of the new design. Many months later a B01 came to me as NOS that I just could not take my eyes off, held it side by side with my BEB and was struck as to how dated the Blackbird
looked. Bought the B01 and am selling the BEB. I will be keeping my Nav, steelfish and colt auto as they show me
the tradition of the Breitling line but I can say without hesitation that this 63 year old control freak that has kept
"stuff" around years longer than I should have and have named all my work van's and lamented the passing
of them for the new replacement has no reservations or second thoughts for the move to the new B01.
I understand and respect all of your thoughts and I certainly acknowledge your feelings and opinions of the brand
but this conversation is the reason I stopped coming to this forum as I believe that if you do not like something, get rid of it and move on. Those of us who enjoy the "whatever" might be tired of hearing how much you hate it. Again, you have ever right to be upset and voice your thoughts but hasn't this gone on long enough? Buy an IWC, they seem to keep the same style for a long time and they look nice doing it.
Just my two cents but I happen to like much of the new stuff and I have no intentions of going anywhere.
Be safe all and please do not take this as a Lecture on my part. I just happen to like the Breitling watch and am tired of coming to a forum of alleged Breitling enthusiast's only to see post after post of how bad the watches are.
I will go away now as I am sure I have worn out my welcome.
Frank.

Don't do that, Frank. Your point of view is valid and needs to be heard.

Always enjoy your posts Frank. Congrats on the new B01, I've seen your photos on the other board and think it looks great. I couldn't agree more with your comments. The excessive negativity here has become unbearable. A lot of the criticism has been warranted but enough is enough.

Enjoy your new B01.

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

The Far East is outside my area of geographical expertise, but if what you describe is typical of Asian markets, then it sounds like Breitling has failed to build a strong distribution network there. Without distribution, products can't get sold. Anybody else have any insight into this issue?