The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Ok I'm slightly confused.
On this site and a few others the general consensus of opinion seems to be that the only Emergency worth a premium in second hand value is the Orbitor.
I can obviously see the reasoning here,1995 examples in titanium? plus 25 in white gold/25 yellow gold? Forgive my figures but I think they are a roughly correct.Plus the fact that it was the only official Breitling limited edition,if that makes sense.
But here's the rub,what about the squadron etc limited editions?
It's widely quoted that Breitling would produce a limited edition Emergency for anyone and his dog, another member mentioned 1000's of different "limited editions" which I find a slight exaggeration but you get my drift.
However by doing the most minimal amount of research it seems that some of these limited editions were made in very small numbers, plus the fact that examples such as "Top Gun" ,"Cruz del Sur","Raf" etc etc rarely come on the market, well certainly less so than the Orbitor anyway.
In a market where rarity always always commands a premium surely some of these,often derided "specials" must be worth more than a standard Orbitor, even with the balloon piece.....................
preston

Breitling has produced thousands of limited editions, obviously not all Emergencies.

Generally speaking the market value resale of a logo edition is the same to slightly lower than regular models. That's because the logo limits the market appeal which offsets an premium that a small subset of buyers will be prepared to pay. Some are better than others - ADs couldn't give away the NHLPA Skylands and Super Avengers a few years ago, some LEs can sell for more.

With the Emergency the Orbitor is the well known one and if it comes with the balloon panel will sell for a premium, the others may be rarer, but so what? They aren't sought after by collectors. If you want an Emergency buy it for what it is, highly unlikely that any will increase in value in any real terms.

There is one Emergency that is made out of unobtanium...the first edition Emergency professional which is the military frequency rather than the civilian frequency. They never come up for sale [I have seen one in twenty years] and I doubt that there are many left...

Maanwhile Termite's old Ti Emergency sits happily on my wrist

And have to agree with Roff - special editions with logos on the dials sell for the same or loss. Mainly because most of us have no interest in buying a watch with a squadron logo on the dial that means nothing to us. I personally prefer the cleaner look without any extra logos on the dial.

That said, if the medical retrieval service I worked with was to ever get LE Breitlings with logos, I'd buy one and hold on to it

Interesting replies, thanks guys.
I have to slightly disagree with the general consensus but each to their own.
Firstly I wasn't really interested in the investment value, I just love all Emergencies!!!
But to me the Emergency is an professional aviators watch, period , and to have a squadron logo on it emphasises that fact and in my mind increases the kudos. Not the same for all models, but the Emergency...................
All Emergencies are special, I remember many years ago seeing one of the first public models in a New Bond Street jewellers. I was blown away by the uniqueness and with the briefcase and contents, unbelievable!! Oh and the price of course.................
It's still pretty unique even now, but I can buy a basic model in any large shopping centre jewellers ,ie Ernest Jones etc, and fleabay always has around 6 Orbitors for sale, but rarely a logo.
Anyway that's the argument, but then being honest I am slightly biased.............................

preston