By far the worst "Luxury" brand on the market

Noob · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2014 8:29 pm

I have two Bentley models, neither of which has given me any issue in the 2 years I've owned them. One is pre owned and honestly looks just like a brand new watch. I am looking to expand my watch collection to other brands like Rolex and panerai but I haven't yet. Since I'm not having any issues with my watches it's hard to me to justify spending 13k+ for another watch right now. But I've taken my watch with me to cancun just about every 6 months and swim with it on, swam with dolphins, snorkeled, and really wore it daily and they haven't skipped a beat. Luckily my experience with the brand is better than yours. Guess I got lucky with a good batch....

sharkman · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2014 9:24 pm

I wish the OP would tell us how he really feels.

My bad luck rate with Breitling is 2%. With Rolex it's 16% (a flaw on the dial of a Sub C). With Paneria it's 50% (A 287 Radomir that stopped two miles from the AD. Their watch ninja opened the case and a retaining screw was wedged under the rotor).

Individual results may vary. These statements are not approved by the FDA. Call you doctor if....

mfserge · **Posted:** Mon May 26, 2014 4:46 pm

38 Breitlings and only one had to go in for warranty service, ironically it was the B01 for a chronograph issue, it had to go in twice actually before I demanded the AD replace it with a new one which he did.

MattC · **Posted:** Mon May 26, 2014 5:47 pm

Perhaps the OP would consider a lobotomy? Has to be crazy to post something like that on a Breitling forum. Why else but to start trouble?

P51 · **Posted:** Mon May 26, 2014 11:50 pm

Well I don't mind anyone venting their spline on any forum especially if they get a little animated.

I just remember the sound advice of some long term members that I was given before joining my first forum. Don't take it too seriously & turn the other cheek, even if it's personal abuse. I am not commenting on the OP or the watch issue at all. I think that is the best policy.

shalako · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 1:24 am

Your totally deluded if you think Breitling are far inferior to IWC and Panerai, all are great brands but I've owned over 20 different Panerai's over the last 12 years and have had loads of problems coupled with poor customer service, especially with their new in house movement models. I've owned 3 x IWC's from new and all went wrong in the first three months, my 2000M Aquatimer leaked in the bath! (discussed previously in detail on another forum)
It is not at all surprising that with a new in-house chronograph movement that there has been some teething problems but I think Breitling have made a great gesture in relation to this by providing a 5 year warranty and they deserve credit for that as a brand.
The only thing I would agree on is their poor residual values although that varies considerably depending on the Breitling model.

FlyingFish44 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 4:55 am

Driver8 wrote:

FlyingFish44 wrote:

All,

I am happy to say that I sold my POS Flying Fish B01 after one year of ownership. I actually would not even call it a full year as it spent 2.5 months being repaired for a failed chrono only to come back with a broken winding crown. Overall I took it to another AD and sold it for a whopping 3k loss (after my initial huge discount). Since my time with this brand and this forum I have actually expanded my collection to a Rolex Sub ceramic dial, a Panerai 320 and an IWC aqautimer. I can easily say that breitling is the worst brand out there and by far.

Time keeping + B01 movement on my watch was easily 7-8 seconds gain per day. My chrono broke after 2 months of use and I thought that was an exception to the rule but 2 of my friends also had their models break in a very short time. After learing more about other brands and using them I came to undestand that Breitling is like Spirit airlines. Once you you fly once you never fly them again. My panerai and rolex and IWC are so far superior to this garbage brand that I can only be happy that I had a learning experience. A costly one but well worth it to move forward in the watch collection.

The forums like paneristi and various rolex and IWC(most) are a pleasure. I find that breitling forums all have the same theme of "Customer service was great", "Watch came back from service in such great condition", "BUSA is so nice". The reality is if yuo spend that much money on a watch, it shouldnt be at BUSA at all unless it needs an overhaul. Yup breitling is by far the worst brand out there. If they charged 1k for their garbage than all this would be moot points. Resale is the worst as well. 60 cents on the dollar and all AD throw 22% discount instantly. Try doing that with PAnerai or Rolex.

It's a shame you had a bad experience with Breitling, as there are literally hundreds of members here (me included) who have bought a great number of Breitling watches with little or no problems at all. Personally I have owned somewhere between ten and twenty Breitlings over the years, and with the exception of a couple of simple regulations, I've had no issues at all.

From a personal standpoint, my experience with IWC has been absolutely disgraceful - to me they are by far and away the worst luxury brand I've personally come across..... and yet there are many members here who say they're brilliant. It's human nature to base your opinions on your own experience - we all do it.... it's just the way it is.

So once again, I'm really sorry you had a bad time with Breitling, but on balance in the cold light of day, they're really no better or worse than any other brand of comparable price and standing : it all just comes down to personal experience, and unfortunately with all brands there's always a few customers who have poor service. Glad the Rolex and Panerai are working out for you.

I might have to agree with you about IWC. Their customer service is rough around the edges and most of their watches are "dress up" eta or VJ 7750 movements in expensive cases. My aquatimer is pretty nice, but i also bought it on such a low price ($2950) that I just took my chances with them. So far no issues but its also a basic 3 hand movement. Rolex is my favorite and before I actually gave the sub a chance I didnt even look at them. I would be really scared to purchase naother brieting

FlyingFish44 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 5:01 am

Novacastrian wrote:

I counted it up and I have now owned twenty Breitling watches (I still have ten of them), both vintage and modern. Only once have I had a problem: a broken crown, which Breitling fixed, out of warranty, gratis!

Driver's right: personal experience is not objective fact. It's a shame you had a problem but I can guarantee you this: some day soon your Rolex or Pam will also stop working. It's the nature of mechanical instruments.

Listen, mechanical movements do break and do need some service after time. The Breitling was my first ever really expensive watch. To have it break so soon after purchase and then come back with one issue fixed but another created was insane. 2 of my friends also like my watch so much that each purchased it for themselves and their chrono broke on one watch and the other guys whole movement just stopped winding. That is not normal and I can gaurnetee you a mass produced rolex will not do that in the first few years.

sco · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 7:15 am

FlyingFish44 wrote:

Listen, mechanical movements do break and do need some service after time. The Breitling was my first ever really expensive watch. To have it break so soon after purchase and then come back with one issue fixed but another created was insane. 2 of my friends also like my watch so much that each purchased it for themselves and their chrono broke on one watch and the other guys whole movement just stopped winding. That is not normal and I can gaurnetee you a mass produced rolex will not do that in the first few years.

LOL, how can you possibly say in one sentence that mechanical movements break etc. and in the next Guarantee that a Rolex would not....

It seems like you need more experience with mechanical watches. I also feel you should think before crapping all over a brand most here love in one form or another. With that said, I guess no more Breitlings for you.... so no more Breitling source either? :lingsrock:

poppydog · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 7:48 am

I recall seeing a few instances of Rolexes going wrong on other forums. Does seem bizarre, though, that it was your watch and then two others the same that failed.

Scott · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 8:04 am

I'll agree there is something "cool" about having an in-house movement. For example, my Breguet was a joy simply to wind and I have great admiration for JLC. But I have owned several now from various manufactures and none ( and this includes my Rolexes) has been as accurate as the modified etas I have owned in my pre-01 Breitlings and a Panerai with a 7750, maybe also modified. None has malfunctioned on me yet.

I wouldn't expect the Rolex movement to break down, it's the basic movement they have used for decades now, just recently updated slightly. Still, sometimes, even they do. The 01, as the Omega Co-Axial, had some teething pains and the horror stories, like this one, are scattered across the internet. If I had gone through something like that,I might not go back either and I'd surely be unhappy. Still, I also know better than to skewer the brand. They have been around for a while now and they have earned the adoration of more than a few beyond this forum who put them through hard duty.

My Breitlings have been modified etas. My IWC is a pre-Richemont model, with case and bracelet construction and detailing superior to what they put out now and which honestly puts the Rolexes I have owned to shame. Again, its a modified eta, about as accurate as my present Rolex. My attraction to Rolex has been posted here before, and I have nearly always had one in the collection, probably always will.

I'm sure you'll get many good years out of your Sub FF, and I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with Breitling. I just can't agree with your premise.

FlyingFish44 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 12:09 pm

sco wrote:

FlyingFish44 wrote:

Listen, mechanical movements do break and do need some service after time. The Breitling was my first ever really expensive watch. To have it break so soon after purchase and then come back with one issue fixed but another created was insane. 2 of my friends also like my watch so much that each purchased it for themselves and their chrono broke on one watch and the other guys whole movement just stopped winding. That is not normal and I can gaurnetee you a mass produced rolex will not do that in the first few years.

LOL, how can you possibly say in one sentence that mechanical movements break etc. and in the next Guarantee that a Rolex would not....

It seems like you need more experience with mechanical watches. I also feel you should think before crapping all over a brand most here love in one form or another. With that said, I guess no more Breitlings for you.... so no more Breitling source either? :lingsrock:

You kidding me? A new watch shouldnt break. If it does break its a garbage movement. It was mine plus 2 more so that makes 3 watches with a B01. Mechanical movements do break after years of use..hence you get it serviced. My rolex and anyone else I know that owns one never breaks. They keep great time. My panerai and all the other people I know with them also havent had theirs break. The people I know with a breiting do break and break often. Hence their 5 year warranty. You bought one watch and think you know brands? I have already owned and experiecned more than you will in your life time with mechanical watches. Go read up on the blogs about others experieces since you will never know for yourself. back seat driver.

FlyingFish44 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 12:12 pm

Scott wrote:

I'll agree there is something "cool" about having an in-house movement. For example, my Breguet was a joy simply to wind and I have great admiration for JLC. But I have owned several now from various manufactures and none ( and this includes my Rolexes) has been as accurate as the modified etas I have owned in my pre-01 Breitlings and a Panerai with a 7750, maybe also modified. None has malfunctioned on me yet.

I wouldn't expect the Rolex movement to break down, it's the basic movement they have used for decades now, just recently updated slightly. Still, sometimes, even they do. The 01, as the Omega Co-Axial, had some teething pains and the horror stories, like this one, are scattered across the internet. If I had gone through something like that,I might not go back either and I'd surely be unhappy. Still, I also know better than to skewer the brand. They have been around for a while now and they have earned the adoration of more than a few beyond this forum who put them through hard duty.

My Breitlings have been modified etas. My IWC is a pre-Richemont model, with case and bracelet construction and detailing superior to what they put out now and which honestly puts the Rolexes I have owned to shame. Again, its a modified eta, about as accurate as my present Rolex. My attraction to Rolex has been posted here before, and I have nearly always had one in the collection, probably always will.

I'm sure you'll get many good years out of your Sub FF, and I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with Breitling. I just can't agree with your premise.

Modified eta is a workhorse and usually runs great for years. Im sure breitlings with ETA run better but I know for a fact that the B01 movement is horrible.

WatchFred · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 1:06 pm

FlyingFish44 wrote:

You bought one watch and think you know brands? I have already owned and experiecned more than you will in your life time with mechanical watches.

well, a forum search for Mr. FlyingFish44's posts reveals interesting facts and conversations: search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&author=flyingfish44

July 2012

FlyingFish44 wrote:

I am new to these boards and luxury watches in general! For the last 2.5 years I have been looking at watches and trying to figure out what a good starter watch I should get.

22 months later, he's owned and experienced more than others ever will in their lifetime.

pathetic. let's stop feeding the troll, please ?

juventino619 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2014 1:20 pm

Exactly. His logic is so flawed its not worth even responding to. Apparently he bought one watch and thinks he knows this brand!

Its always funny to me that no matter what type of conversation you would expect to find regarding "luxury" items, it seems you'll always find these type of people/personalities that really make you wonder and think..about quite a number of things. :shock:

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