The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello All,
I have been getting heaps of warnings from the mods.... please do not read this post if you are easily offended.

OK - a little generalisation...

Breitling is very much like Alfa Romeo.
1) Stunning design excellence.
2) Not terribly reliable - just ask the helicopter pilots about Navitimers a few posts ago... no need to mention Alfa... they are renowned for TROUBLE!
3) Expensive new - BUT HORRENDUS depreciation
4) A loyal following of fans who will not leave dispite any shortcomings
5) Made from a bunch of generic parts - Breitling is ETA based - Alfa is Fiat based.

Rolex is the MERCEDES BENZ of the industry - Mass produced, big sales volume, expensive, reliable, over priced for what you get.

Patek Philippe is the Rolls Royce of the industry. Hand Made, Expensive yet not necessarily trendy, very select cleintelle.

Omega is VW of the industry. Not necessarily a true luxury brand - however sold as a luxury brand in certain market. Good product. Iconic models and history.

Seiko and Citizen would be the Fords and General Motors of the crowd.

Frank Muller .... he would be Maserati - dodgy past (ask any bi-turbo owner), hughly big $$$$, stunningly beautiful, and no idea of the future.

Interesting.......

How would you see Panerai & Tag?

In terms of depreciation for Breitling, I don't think they are too bad, It's all about what someone is prepared to pay. Theres a cheap SA for sale on the site just now, not shifting at all.....I think 6 months ago it would have been a different story as the credit-crunch tightens it's grip! If an AD has a mark-up of 30%+ on a watch and discounts can be had of this, that will not help things either. Great for us buying the watches, but not helping the re-sale values
I agree with points 1,4 & 5 in your post Archie, although 5 sounds a bit harsh!

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Breitling Super Avenger White, Steel
Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 Black, Ocean Racer
Rolex Submariner Bi-Metal, Yellow Gold/Blue
Panerai 112, Black Leather (Soon Hopefully!)

How would you see Panerai & Tag?

Panerai is like Audi. Everybody knows it is really a VW but people as still happy to pay crazy money for it. A mercedes (rolex) is a much better car anyhow.

Tag is like any Vauxhaul/Ford product in the Ghia/Luxury version.... a luxury car that is really NOT a luxury car. Sure a tag 2000 looks like a divers watch but that crown is NOT screw done. Sure the Vauxhaul may have leather and electric windows but it aint no Mercedes!

Cartier is like BMW. Alot of style and quality but hideously expensive repairs and most models suck ie are quartz. Also most repairs need to go back to the stealer .... i mean dealer. High prices, very fashionable, new fashion pieces every season..... not much substance I am affraid.

I love my Breitlings....If you don't like them and think they are junk then look for other great forums. Try watchgeeks.net I think you will be happy.


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YOU CAN'T HAVE A GREAT TIME WITHOUT A GREAT WATCH.........MAKE IT A BREITLING

This is the only post of Archie's I have quite enjoyed

I do not find my Omega being compaired to a VW insulting and I do not mind my Rolex being compaired to a Merc either.

Your getting a little better Archie. Maybe because you have more time now that TRF has banned you

If one were to buy a 1969 Alfa spider Veloce (a Navimeter II to follow your analogy), one would expect a cerain amount of fuss and moderate reliability. Those with the passion for Breitlings (I count myself as one), unlike those for Alfa Romeo (which I have no use for at all) usually get hooked on the new models and then grow to appreciate the older. In my experience with AR owners they are quite the reverse and actually relish the fussiness of their automobiles -- much like MG owners.
I understand the Archie42 has had some troubles with his Navi, I had troubles with a Raymond Weil and will never own another, but one must realize that a single lemon does not sour the entire cask of fine wine. In large part I do not disagree with your expanded analogies, but perhaps Porsche would be more accurate than Alfa: models for almost every taste and budget (after a point) for many purposes and tend toward performance with a wide recognition to be sporty. Just a thought.

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

Well, what about not writing anything that could result offensive?.




I couldn't agree more.

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Collection
GMTIIc
Daytona
Nautilus 5711
Deep Sea D-Blue
Submariner Hulk
Tudor BB - FOR SALE
SOLD
Aerospace
Navitimer World
Bentley GT Racing
Cockpit
Navitimer 01 LE 788/2000

you guys are being too hard on him (for this thread at least)...

archie how would you classify jaeger lecoultre?

...and we all know what opinions are like...

Hey Archie...does the rest of the village know you're missing???

horrendous resale value???? where did you get this from. Breitlings are extremely coveted pieces and especially so in recent years which has made their resale values extremely robust. Although inevitably their is more of a initial hit that say, Rolex, re-sale values remain strong unless the piece is in bad condition.

for me Breitling is like Range Rover- strong, brutish and in your face but undoubtedly expensive and luxurious.

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Breitling Super Avenger Blue dial
Breitling Emergency Mission Black dial
Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoflex Bi-Color
Cartier Panthere Bi-Color
Rolex Oyster day-date 18ct
Rolex GMT II S/Steel
Tag Heuer F1 Chronograph
CVSTOS Challenge Chrono steel/rubber

100%

Lets keep this thread on topic and AWAY from personal attacks, guys. We're all adults here, right?

PS: I agree Breitling is like Range Rover. Alfa's are puny.

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

You realize that Range Rovers are Indian owned (Tata motors -- I am NOT making that name up) and are routinely ranked at the very bottom of all early and lifetime quality rankings? While I will give you the analogy on the visual and price, I think you play more into our friend Archie42's hand with that comparison.

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

What about Studebakers? Can Breitling be like Studebaker? They have Turbines, like planes, and Breitling is a Aviation inspired brand.

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

yes it is true Landrover vehicles have a dubious records when it comes to reliability but there is only so far one can go in making the needless comparison between watches and cars. My loose comparison was really more focused around brand image i.e. big and brash looks, new-money and old-money clientele, luxury etc.

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Breitling Super Avenger Blue dial
Breitling Emergency Mission Black dial
Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoflex Bi-Color
Cartier Panthere Bi-Color
Rolex Oyster day-date 18ct
Rolex GMT II S/Steel
Tag Heuer F1 Chronograph
CVSTOS Challenge Chrono steel/rubber