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After 2 ½ years wearing my yellow Breitling Seawolf, I figured it was time to add the inevitable when it comes to Breitling watches, a chronograph. These days, living in Hong Kong is getting harder and harder. Prices are going up, up, up, and due to the spending power of the mainland Chinese, prices of watches have become higher than elsewhere, regardless this city being a tax free place. With my European background and a trip to the old continent in the pipeline, I started checking out the prices in Europe. They were first of all indeed lower than in Hong Kong, and,as I was travelling with a Hong Kong resident, VAT could be returned upon showing a foreign passport.
With rumors of high discounts in Belgium, I started my trip with a pre-booked visit to a jeweler in Holland, my home country. They had an unworn Chronospace on sale, as seen on Chrono24, but upon close inspection, it had tiny scratches,as if it had been worn by a staff of the shop. There were no protection films whatsoever, as usual with buying a new Breitling. I left. Then I had an appointment with a jeweler in The Hague. They had some Super Avengers (not SA II. I prefer the older one) on sale, my favourite watch. Upon closely looking, they had tiny scratches as well and I was explained that that's the reason why they were on sale. Unable to further lower the price, I left the shop.
I made a side trip to Malaga, Spain,and bumped into a shop in La Cañada mall, selling Breitlings, yet again on sale. The prices were incredible, and I asked the lady to show me the Aerospace and Airwolf Raven. Yet again, dejavu! All the watches had minor issues. I really liked the Airwolf, but it seemed that it had been lying in the display window for a long time. I checked the Breitling website and it showed that that shop was not an official AD (anymore).
The last full day before going back to Hong Kong was a day trip to Antwerp in Belgium. After lunch we stumbled upon an AD with lots of Breitlings on display. The shop ladies were very kind. One of them was a Chinese lady, there of course to help the Chinese clientele. She wasn't needed as I can speak Dutch, but she chit-chatted with us and was very helpful. The ladies showed me the Super Avenger (yet again, not SA II), the Superocean Heritage Chrono, Chronomat GMT and the Blacksteel Chronospace Auto.
The sheer size of the SA just overwhelmed me. Being 5''11, 240 pounds and a gym freak, this was the right watch for me. It's huge! I'm not a watch collector, I am a watch flasher. Most people in Hong Kong seem to only know one brand, Rolex. You see a Submariner everyday. Even the “Limited Edition” green bezel one. I have seen housewives wearing a Milgauss here. I want to wear a watch so in-your-face, that they would have to turn and look, and let them know that there are other brands available, albeit maybe not fit for their tiny wrists,but for me, being big now is an advantage!
The ladies started with around 10% off. I kept quiet. Upon further asking, they took off another 10%. Now that's the same price of those scratched SA's in the Hague. This SA had all the protective films and the Qualite Controle Breitling sticker on the back. Then I asked about the tax refund. They made it so simple, it was an offer I couldn't resist. They would take off the tax amount immediately, so I would pay and walk out with that discounted watch tax free. They would take a manual credit card imprint of the taxed amount, and upon me sending back the customs stamped invoice to the shop once I had returned to Hong Kong, they would destroy the imprint. It couldn't be easier! That's in total 40% less than the price of this watch in Hong Kong! I came out of the shop as happy as can be. After a delicious waffle, my trip was a success!
As a final word, when buying a new watch, wherever it is, make sure the protective films are in place,or at least make sure it doesn't have scratches. Later on, it will feel better to tell people that you accidentally scratched it yourself instead of having to tell them it came like that when you bought it. Some jewelers say it is new, but it isn't, and when buying a new watch, it has to be perfect. And Belgium is a great place to buy watches. And here is the watch!
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Breitling Avenger Seawolf Yellow SS
Breitling Super Avenger (2009) Black SS
Omega Speedmaster Schumacher (Yellow) Steel
Tissot T Navigator 3000 Blue Steel
Fortis Flieger Cockpit L.E. (No. 788)
Seiko Black Monster Rubber Strap
Tissot PRS516 (2004)
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