The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I share your sentiment but I actually think this is a great thing. Customer Focus Groups are death to any creditable product development. (See 25 words + numbers & brackets).

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Jim

"You have Control".

Judging by the results, it's hard to see it as a "great thing".

Hi Wrangler.

Yes, in a nutshell, that’s kind of what I have been saying here over the past few days. The results of not listening to customers is seen as a bad thing. I am not so sure though. We all bring our own idea of what constitutes a good watch by our own set of values and those of our peers. Breitling obviously beg to differ and they think it’s wise not to do customer salons or focus groups. I don’t believe it is arrogance, or at least I don’t believe they feel they are being arrogant. They are probably oblivious to it, but it is interesting none the less.

It’s been a downhill slippery slope for many products over the years where customer focus was used to generate the next big thing. You can listen to customers, sure, but in the end you make your own decisions for your own reasons. The lesson of ‘listening too hard’ to customers and believing that every tweet and every face book entry is going to kill the latest offering just shows a real lack of confidence, and is systematic of our times. Things seem to be at a paradox with our favourite watch maker, and we need to give them time (pardon the pun) and show us what they know.

In the meantime, if their new watch offerings are not to our tastes, then we can exercise our right to ignore them.

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Jim

"You have Control".

And write about it here if we chose to do so.
Amen.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

As long as you promise not to post those pictures in the WWAYWT thread

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"It is just a matter of time!"

All valid points (mostly) but lets not forget that the core memership, here, are not just fans of Breitling historically...but fans of darn near every other brand and are very aware of the other brands' offerings and innovations. We BreitlingSource members (and some of us have been here from the get go) are passionate about the tried and true designs ...but are NOT fanboys like most on the Rolex forums. We vocalize what we dont like and this place IS our personal hotline to Breitling, as they DO monitor this sight and they can clearly see the loyalty of the "base" sliding, because of some strange design choices. (IMO)

In as much as the newer designs attract a new (and sometimes younger) buyer, these consumers are generally NOT the multiple watch buying masses and instead I saw Breitling throwing anything they could against the wall and see what sticks....just to boost sales for a lack luster worldwide economy. They have done some great things of late, though. The B01 movement...great. I owned a Navi 01 LE for a while and only sold it because I didn't have daily duties that would allow me to wear such a nice watch...so the new owner benefited from me selling it. It was a great watch for two reasons, first that is stayed with the historical designs and second the new in house movement. Both items are what the die hard fans were screaming for.

In response to the "haters" comments... Like I meantioned before, I have been here since the beginning and the reason this sight is Soooooo popular is the anti-fanboy attitude and more of the passionate love of the brand and the community we have developed over the years.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I think there was another company that refuses to go the focus group route? They believed in their vision and that they know better what the customer wants than the customer does... What was it called... Oh yaeh, was it APPLE???

They took over the cellphone market, gave the customers excactly what they didn´t know they wanted and how bad they wanted it! ...And revolutionized the industry.

There was another company too, I think, that used to rule that very market complitely. They did focus groups, listened to their customers and played it safe. They gave the customers excactly what they were asking for! ...Nokia anyone?

They got left so far behind by the very people they tried to please. That´s the biggest reason why they´ve been struggling to stay in bussiness ever since.

Just a thought?



I love the direction Bteitlings taken. Making all the right business desicions. They still offer all those classic features in core models respecting and emphasizing their history, but at the same time they´ve been brave to tread in new directions with others. Finally not all models look like another version of the Chronomat evolution with some not so noticable changes in dial or size etc. Love the Evo, love the ridertabs, love all that jazz, but too much of the same thing is... Well, just too much. Very one note-ish.

The models I like I admire and purchase, the ones I don´t, I don´t. That´s that! Some I REALLY dislike, that doesn´t really effect me one way or the other. I move on to the ones I like. Some aren´t meant for me, but I know others who enjoy them and that´s great.

Variety is richness!

The Brand Changes with time. I change. My taste changes with time too. I might be even headed in a different direction over time then my absolute favourite brand, Breitling, where this all started for me. And that´s great for them. They make their desicion based on where they want to go or need to be. They´ll keep doing that as long as it seems to be working for them, regardles of us here. They´ll make some mistakes along the way and some of those that I think are mistakes works for them great. If I´m in a different place with my mind set. that´s not really Breitlings fault.

I´ll always have Breitlings in my collection new or old. Depending what suits me at the time. If another brand starts tickling my senses more, I´ll go there. All just the natural progression of things for me.

Everyone has a right to their opinnions of course and these are just my views, nothing more or less and nothing taken from anyone. All good!

Not a fan boy either, just looking at the world cup half full rather then half empty. Focusing on what fits me at the time, not dwelling on whats not for me, or what used to be for me.


Btw... paying attention to Porcshe? Haven´t Breitling done just that? What was the initial reception from Porsche fans with the brand destroying models like Cayenne, Panamera or even Boxsters? All huge sales successes that over exceeded all expectations. Regardless of Porsche fans ...Imagine that?

Still they kept 911 true to it´s roots.
...Just like Breitling with Navitimer, Avenger models, Emergency, Aerospace, Super Ocean Heritage etc.


Peace out!

Well this is quite an interesting thread, I would like to add my opinion to the many on here.

I have three 'Lings, all bought brand new, but if I were to buy a new watch I think I would look elsewhere. Like many on here I don't like many of the current offerings; for example I have a Chronomat GT, it is an absolutely beautiful watch, with many signature details such as the rider tabs, etc. Getting rid of those was a mistake, the current Chronomat does not look like a Chronomat because of it; so now it is simply a very nice chronograph watch rather than it being a Chronomat. The one I have was I believe the first redesign of the Chronomat since it came out in 1994 but it was subtle and kept the main 'features' of the traditional Chronomat to be seen as an evolution of the watch rather than a complete new look like we have now.

You only have to look watches from Rolex or others - certain watches look the same today as they did twenty years ago, such as the Datejust or Reverso as they are total classics; the Chronomat could be that as the 1994 design was quite timeless so it is a shame they changed the design so much in the present day Chronomat that it doesn't look like one now.

Using the car analogy, it is things like the doors on a Lambo, or the grille of an Aston Martin; they are so key as design touches that they become part of the reason why a person would buy that particular car. Lets face it, when you spend £5k+ on a watch or £100k+ on a car you are not buying something that just does the job of telling the time or being able to transport you from a to b, you are getting something far more special than that. Yes of course Breitling have the heritage, but part of that is having classics that have design changes that evolve rather than change dramatically or have models that just disappear to be replaced with totally new models.

Ultimately Breitling have gone down a route of radically changing a lot of the watch designs; and IMO are overpriced; but then again the Navitimer is still there and recognisably a Navitimer, so there is that semblence of heritage.

Overall, I don't think there is 'hate' as such, just people on here would are passionate about Breitling as they have been fans/owners for a long time and are seeing the company going down a path they disapprove of and that is disappointing. However if Breitling make enough sales to new fans who like the new watches then that is good business of course!

This thread has turned into a competition on who can write the longest post.

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

My final comment - on another thread all decried the odd paint job on a Bentley. Had the modification instead been hot pink tires, would the unanimity of disdain been any different? Welcome the mind of Breitling's design team.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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SHARKMAN

/competition of who can read the longest post before just skipping to the bottom

Yep, a good point on customer focus groups. I think, if memory serves me correctly (and if anyone knows better, please let me know), there were customer clinics before the Aztec SUV was introduced many years ago. Thats what the auto industry does of course, so no surprise there. Can you remember the vehicle? It suggested to me at the time that the idea of Customer Focus Groups can be a real mixed bag.

Not in the same breathe and not my personal opinion either, but equally poignant from someone I admire greatly; I think LJK Setright summed up Customer Focus in regards to the auto industry with the following. He reckoned, ‘The Public airs its ignorance and the stylist evades his responsibilities.’ Might be a bit strong, but still, its an interesting point of view.

This has been a great debate and I am pleased everyone who posted here has had a real good chance at writing up their opinions. It’s a very important topic and the space taken to do that, and express it, has been warranted IMO. One thing we can all look forward to in the future is that the debate will continue. It’s not ended here, which is a good thing.

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Jim

"You have Control".

I know this a site dedicated to Breitling, but I do wonder how far people are attracted to a brand as opposed to particular watches, and, of course, I can only comment from my own perspective. I only have, and am only interested in dive watches, and as well as two Seawolves, have a few from other brands too. However, I can honestly say that Breitlng has far more models than any other brand, that I would buy if money were no object. And as far as customer interface goes, I think its website is much more interactive than many others. Breitling is responding to a global market, and I imagine there are many discusion forums around the world?

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Regards

Steve

Hi poppydog.

I only collect Slide Rule watches, so my collection is small and not all Breitling, or Brilliant for that matter.

Breitling are the star billing though, but I do appreciate well thought out watches from other makers. I think you will find thats probably the same for most members on this forum.

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Jim

"You have Control".

Hi Jim

Yes, I agree and understand. One of the reasons I joined here is because in my opinion, the brand offers a greater range of watches that I would potentially buy than other brands. As I said, I only have dive watches, but at some point in the future, would like to think I'd also get something from Breitling's Professional and / or Navitimer ranges.

Regards

Steve

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Regards

Steve