The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Don't get excited, it's not a scoop from inside the factory but rather me just wondering how Breitling decide on their designs for new models.

Having never bought new from an AD, I was wondering what, if any, market research they do with current buyers. As a (former) marketing man, the obvious way to develop the eg Super Avenger line is to ask it's current owners how they would like it changed. Coral dial anyone?

Do they maybe talk to the dealers - which would make sense. In which case , do dealers do any research on behalf of Breitling?

Is all the design work done in house with a couple of B execs deciding that what the world really wants in 2008 is a 49mm Chrono-matic with a rubber bezel?

Do you think they monitor comments on here and/or WUS from the more enthusiastic brand followers?

Or maybe they just ask Puff Diddly-Squat whether there should be 3 or 4 rows of diamonds on the new Super Duper Mega Avenger 69.

Some of the recent models could not have come from a focus group. No one would have asked for the Superocean Heritage. But any group of Breitling owners would tell them if they make a limited edition display back of any model it will sell like hot cakes.

So, anyone know/guess how they do it?

Good question.

My AD have just recently started to ask what I would be interested in. Maybe there are instructions from Breitling HQ that he should collect info, or he's just curious. Earlier I've had no questions at all, so something has changed - either in his interest or in his instructions.

Apart from that I have really no idea. Maybe they hire an old blue-haired lady with a crystal ball?

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

I don't know, so speculating, but I'm sure that they are aware of and monitor sites like this, WUS, TZ, etc. Whether they take any notice is another matter, as was noted in another thread recently, we aren't the 'normal' buyer.

I did have a discussion with the Breitling factory rep for Canada (or at least Ontario - not sure if she has the whole country) when she was doing the circuit of major ADs introducing the new models announced at Basel. It was pretty clear from that discussion that she had not been contacted by Breitling for any input on new models. Maybe discussions happened at a higher level, maybe Canada isn't a major enough market to matter, but she is the person closest to ADs, and by extension the public.

Having said that, there must be some regional / market awareness - look at the country specific models that we see, look at the apparent reversal on the red OR.

A part of me suspects that consumer demand pays little impact on design because Breitling has it's image that it wants to preserve and protect. They are clearly not immune to industry trends - to bigger watches for example, but only within the confines of the 'Breitling look'

Oh and if anyone from Breitling is reading this post I would be more than happy to offer my opinions on a 51mm, DB, rattrapante, minute repeater with a retrograde power reserve in tantalum, but would need to wear the prototype for around 10 years in order to form a reasoned opinion!

I agree completely, even if my wishes would be slightly different. The only drawback with a one-of-a-kind would be all the guys screaming "fake"...

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

...which really shouldnt matter as we all know that if you know you have the real thing you dont care if people scream "fake".

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Blue Baton Super Avenger
Black Avenger Seawolf

True.

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

Exactly!

Good post, Sharky!

A little while back while I was asking my AD questions about why the SS Monty Legende doesn't have gold batons to match the gold hands, he actually said, "Well, let me know what you'd like to see as I do feed back opinions from our customers back to Breitling". So while on the one hand that's good to know, whether Breitling take any notice at all is quite another thing altogether......

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Super Duper Mega Avenger 69

...don't tease me like that... not nice

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Very interesting to find out that ADs report back Breitling. I'll my AD next time when I'm there if she can get them to make me a 46mm Chronomat

I wouldn't mind seeing as few more models with display backs and rattrapantes.

I like the look alot and, from what I've read, so do a few people on here.

Also, I wouldn't mind seeing Breitling put tritium in their watch faces instead of luminscent paint. I wore a Luminx for years and LOVED the tritium. Heck, I'd pay extra $$$ if Breitling would fit one of mine with tritium. My only concern is how much would they have to move things around to make room for tritium vials.

It'll never happen.

One of the reasons Breitling moved away from Tritium completely was the threat of legal action by the US Government if they didn't start complying with the regulations for handling / importation / transportation / etc of radioactive material within and into the US.

Although Breitling were already moving towards SuperLuminova that was the final straw. You'll need to be looking at the likes of Ball for your tritium fix.

I would just be happy if they did a bigger range of the Chrono evolution. Yes, you heard right. Would like a graphite dial with graphite subdials, but with roman numerals. Maybe a diamond bezel, those things are starting to grow on me.... bit of a concern.

That's quite a comon request actually, and one that I CERTAINLY agree with!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I agree completely on the agreement!

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