The Breitling Watch Source Forums

The adjustment made in Canada last year may be a good example of how it works 'in the real world'. In the space of about 3 years the Canadian dollar went from being able to buy 62 US cents at the low to $1.10 at the high, with a lot of that increase happening within a 12 month period peaking late last summer / early fall.

That led to a huge increase in Canadian consumers buying from the US (the vast majority of the Canadian population lives within 2 hours of the US border), and many manufacturers being forced to adjust (reduce) Canadian prices - Porsche was one of the first, and the publicity that got led to many following - especially high end brands. Brietling did the same thing around last November - likely responding to pressure from Grigoros who were seeing a downturn as business went to the US.

The Canadian dollar has now stabilized in the 0.97 - $1.00 range and the price differential seems to have been largely restored with larger Canadian list increases than US this spring.

My point - consumers can influence prices to some degree by their behaviour, but only in exceptional circumstances, and only temporarily.

I have purchased many watches throughout the years from AD's here in the US.

One advantage you have with Breitling vs. other high end brands is that they are sold at more locations so you can shop around.

Some Breitling dealers are extremely beligerant and state that if they sell for more than a 15% discount then they could get in trouble from the company (mostly bs).

With the US economy not doing so well, I've talked to many local AD managers and their business is hurting, don't be fooled into an employee telling you their high end time pieces are flying off the shelves...it's just not true. Especially with the Breitling line. They are targeted toward the middle class who has expendable income. That expendable income is hard to come by for many now a days. If someone wants to buy a $25k audemars two years ago when the economy was booming then they are still going to buy one today (the rich). Breitling's target consumer on the other hand are not like this.

I've purchased a couple Breitling pieces over the past 12 months and I've been able to receive a 30-35% discount on every piece I've received from the local AD's.

Here's a trick you can try. Go into an AD and tell them you just moved to town and are a big watch collector buying multiple pieces a year (works best if you have a nice watch on at the time). Tell them your looking for a new AD to call 'home'. In my experience, they will usually give you at least a 30% discount plus some free straps to win your business. Works more times than not.

Also, you need to ship it out of state. Even if it's not your residence, just find a friend from another state and ship it to them. There's an instant discount since you no longer have to pay sales tax. I know this can be tough sometimes because you want to walk out with that b'ling on your wrist, put patience can save you a couple hundred. Also, most dealers ship overnight for free so all you end up paying is an additional $50 to your friend and he can overnight it to you. Two to three day turnaround and saving a couple hundred isn't so bad.

Hope this helps.

I'm on board with mboverst thinking. Very accurate observation about todays economy.

_________________
- Nathan
_________________
Breitling Avenger Skyland (Black)

Good information and while this might hold true now I believe the days of AD's discounting at that large of a discount are numbered. Again, with the new Breitling USA head honcho, Phillipe Bonay running Breitling USA, these dealers that sell at that heavy discount will be targeted for these practices. At Panerai it was not tolerated by Mr. Bonay and their distribution network was much smaller so it was easier to control. Again, when you can buy a product at a drastically reduced price from one AD, while other AD's are holding the line (so to speak) it ruins the distribution network and eventually erodes the value of the brand.

Again, look at the brands that strictly police their product and pricing and you will see these are brands that hold vaue in the market and prestige in the horology world. I personally don't want or tend to shy away from brands that anyone can purhcase for vast discounts, as these brands eventually become common place and disposable.

I guess I want the watches I have to hold value, prestige, and maybe become heirlooms to hand down to my sons...

_________________
BC

I agree with you, I'm all for having my Breitling collection hold its value.

The last Breitling I purchased was about a month and half ago from an AD and the discounts were still there and I don't see them changing that drastically anytime soon.

It's going to be much tougher for Bonay to crack down on the discounting with Breitling compared to Panerai.

He ruled with an iron fist, I don't believe there is in AD in the world who will back down on the prices...but, there was never a need to. Every Panerai model has a limited run and always in high demand because of this. Most US Panerai dealers I have visited have at MOST 10 pieces for sale. About three months ago I went cruising in Vegas and between 3 dealers I found 4 Panerai...amazing.

Breitling on the other hand has infinitly more watches and 100x more dealers. Supply vs. demand, I don't see Bonay being able to regulate the discounts as long as some of the smaller AD's need to put food on the table for their families.


*quick edit*

For the record I completely agree with everything from the above post and indeed hope he's able to regulate the discounts. Just my .02 on the subject which is probably worthless anyway

Agreed on all points... He does have a challenge ahead of him and hopefully he will keep the brand fresh and exclusive. You are right about Panerai. Every Pam I have owned has been easy to sell when needed and there is a cult following for their brand.

I know I feel the same way about Breitling and hope it's storied history continues with Mr. Bonay at the helm.

_________________
BC

One thing to add. Try to negotiate an even better deal by paying cash. When you do you can often time get away without paying a sales tax. This way you avoid shipping charges (x2) and walk away with it on your wrist. An added bonus and bargaining point for you is that when you pay cash the AD won't have to run it through their credit card system and payment gateway saving them another 2-3%

_________________

I know my AD, who happens to be out of state, will throw in free overnight shipping. He's told me that with the way the economy is going, now is the best time to buy since sales have slowed down tremendously. Add in the fact I'd save on sales tax, and the deals I could get from him end up beating most on-line retailers. I was surprised when I was looking to buy my Breilting at how low the ADs went. My first trip was to an AD in the Bahamas and they said no more than 20%, since that was all Breitling allowed, but a few emails to ADs and 25% off was easy.

Mario probably has the best idea when he says just go in with cash. I don't think any AD would turn that down, but then again, I could be wrong. I'm glad I found an AD that I can work with and refer friends to without a problem and he treats them all very well.

_________________
Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

CASH IS KING.

AD's love to save $. If they can save the extra 2-5% from credit card use they will.

Everybody wins!

_________________
Breitling for Bentley Motors
Breitling Navitimer World
Breitling Super Avenger Black Steel LE 3000
Breitling for Bentley GMT Midnight Carbon Black Steel LE 1000
Hublot Big Bang Aero Bang Steel
"You gotta pay to play..."

Not quite so true for chains as for independents though. You'll have a lot more success waving the real stuff around if your AD is in business for himself than if you are just dealing with a manager / staff of a faceless corporation.

True...

I would just emphasize to the big AD's though that you will be a returning customer...

_________________
Breitling for Bentley Motors
Breitling Navitimer World
Breitling Super Avenger Black Steel LE 3000
Breitling for Bentley GMT Midnight Carbon Black Steel LE 1000
Hublot Big Bang Aero Bang Steel
"You gotta pay to play..."

That fact only reinforces the decision to purchase from a local, smaller AD IMO.

_________________
Avenger Skyland
If I said I was good, you'd think I was bragging.
If I told you I wasn't, you'd know I was lying.

In theory I agree - I'm all for supporting the small business, but in many cases you don't have a choice - there isn't necessarily a chain and an independent in the same market.

Plus of course economies of scale kick in and likely allow the chain to offer lower prices in the first place.

So can I just clarify something?

If I wanted to buy a new Chrono Evo from an AD in the UK it'd be £3,505 (US$6,860) before discount and probably no cheaper than £3,155 (US$6,174) after discount.

Does anyone know how much the same watch would cost (- discount but + shipping, import duty and any other costs) to have delivered door-to-door from an AD in the US? I'd be interested to know what the actual comparison is.

By the way, this is a fascinating thread so, if this is going to drag it off-topic from the more theoretical discussion of why (or not) to buy locally or the cache of the Breitling brand, then please PM me.

Thanks.

PM In2Deep for details on this. He has a current price list and a phone number for you to call. Do It, It will make all ther differance. The Chrono Evo is a great choice by the way!

_________________
- Nathan
_________________
Breitling Avenger Skyland (Black)