The Breitling Watch Source Forums

When I buy a watch I prefer to save a few thousand $$ and find a good deal online rather than go to an AD. I know there are a lot of fakes you have to look out for online, but with thorough research I think it's worth the savings.

What do you all think? Did you spend the extra $$ for peace of mind by purchasing at an AD or did you rather save $$ and buy online???

Just curious on other people's watch purchasing views

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Nick


Rolex Datejust 18K + SS

Navitimer 01 L.E.

I saved some money and got peace of mine through participating in the group buy. Best decision I've made in a while.

I have to buy online to save, because the average monthly salary in my country is around 1000$ or 700€.

Without a doubt... Develop a relationship with your AD and you will have peace of mind knowing you get what you paid for and be able to get proper service in the USA if needed.

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BC

Got mine from my local fantastic AD! Must admit though it was a gift! Having said that with the experiences so far due to a couple of problems with both watches(my friends needing a complete movement change!) I would happily pay the extra for the service from this dealer. My friends watch had it's new movement installed and pressure tested in an afternoon in store! I had mine regulated as it was running fast, went in in the afternoon and picked it up the next morning as they wanted to check overnight all was well! If either of these had been bought via the net I would still be without a watch whilst it was sent to Toronto, all that and they threw in an extra years warranty!
Service like that is worth it's weight in Gold!

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All the best.
Ian

This topic comes up every couple of months, and my answer never changes. I buy from an AD, and having developed a relationship with a few people I always get peace of mind, superior service, a few value add services (like a free polish for example), a local contact, a Breitling warranty and I always pay less than online. Wasn't always that way, but that's what relationships are for.

The only time I will consider buying online (and I consider a lot more than I buy) is for pieces that I just can't get through an AD - vintage / older pieces for example.

You can always find an AD who's willing to go as low, if not lower than the on-line retailers. An AD gets you the Breitling warranty and piece of mind, just like everyone has said.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

If you need a good AD in the U.S. pm me.

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I agree with al the comments here, I did my research then bought from an AD, I managed 20% off my first purchase. I think you can do much better in the US especially, on follow up purchases.
John..

Buying online does not immediately mean buying crap or not getting service from an AD. I bought all my watches from the same AD in Antwerp. This year I found a Breitling Emergency I wanted for sale on the net from a very reputable English jeweller (did some checking via Google) : 2 years old but never used, all the papers and bits and bobs. I payed directly into his account and 5 days later the watch arrived. A week later the battery went dead and I took it to my AD (where I purchased allready a lot of watches, including Breitling, before). He arranged the transfer paperwork to put the watch into my name, he shipped it to Breitling Switzerland and since it was the first service it costed me exactly 0 euro's.
Now I asked my AD before to get me that exact Emergency (Coral + Coral UTC) and he told me he coud not get a hold on one since it is not a very common colour and the UTC's were all sold out and they stopped making them. So he perfectly understood why I bought one on the internet and even congratulated me with this purchase since the watch was new and it costed me 40% less than listprice. Do your research and it can save you a lot of money or you can get that watch you allways wanted but could not get a hold of via your AD.

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BREITLING EMERGENCY + UTC CORAL DIALS
BREITLING AEROSPACE TITANIUM PROF (SOLD)
ROLEX SUBMARINER BI-COLOR BLUE DIAL
LOUIS VUITTON TAMBOUR DIVERS
PANERAI LUMINOR

My first was through an AD, I wouldn't and shouldn't go anywhere else on the first one.

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

#1 AD
#2 AD
#3 Sales Forum (Its the only one I still own)

If im buying new, ill go to an AD without question.

All mine came from an AD, except the B&R which was second hand.

Edit - oh yeah, and the Monster - I have no idea where it came from, I got someone to buy it for me in Japan.

I'd say definitely buy your first watch from an AD without a doubt. And continue to do so unless you really REALLY know the product. I'd only recommend a forey into on-line purchases if you are a) sure of the seller, and b) know what your doing.

My response would be very similar to Roff's, except that UK AD's will not generally discount to any great extent and certainly not to on-line levels...... even after 10 years of knowing me. In financial times like these, money-talks I'm afraid and while I've been a slave to AD's for my personal collection (except my Le Mans), I will definitely be considering on-line for future purchases.

I actually recently bought a Bentley 6.75 on behalf of a friend of mine on-line and it's turned out to perfect with all the papers (including the warranty), etc. If anything, it had less "handling marks" than you sometimes find in AD's!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I almost did buy mine online, but was not sure of transport, warranties etc so I spent a little extra to buy at a local AD. Better security and also got a free insurance.

Maybe online next time?

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Breitling Colt (Blue)

www.gunnarandreassen.com