The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am getting ready to purchase a Breitling Colt automatic.....well actually it's going to be a wedding present from my future wife, so she will be the one doing the buying, but I am going to be involved with the purchase. I have a good friend who I trust that owns an operates a jewelry store. He knows I am in the market for a Breitling, but he is not an AD. He calls me earlier and says that he can get me the watch from one of his guys that he does some dealings with. He claims it is brand new in the box exactly what I have been looking for. I asked him how his buddy is getting it, and according to my friend that owns the jewely store, his guy buys them directly from the AD at a discounted price and then resells them, making I guess about a hundred bucks on it. I said that it sounds a little funny to me and he claims it is because of the economy and these AD can't afford to keep their inventory so they will get rid of them cheaper....I guess it would be considered a grey market. How would this affect the warranty and getting it sent back for its periodic service?? I realize that this is not the preferred method of purchase, but if I can save a few hundred bucks, and it won't affect the warranty or service, I just might consider it.

As I understand it, as long as the warranty card matches up with the numbers on the watch, and the card has the stamp of the dealer on it, the watch, for the most part should pass as just as legit as one you would get from an AD. Think of it like this, If your pal's guy, gives an AD $XXXX for the watch, he's purchased the watch legitimately, but then he decides he doesn't want it because he doesn't like the look...no he's not registered it, so he decides to sell it, unopened to your guy, then all he's done is sell a genuine unregistered Breitling watch to another guy...now your guy doesn't like it, so then he sells it to you...it's still an unregistered, genuine, Breitling watch...SO it should be legit! Now, if somewhere along the way, the real watch is replaced with a fake one, or a replica, then you'll run into a problem, but as far as BUSA knows, you bought it from the AD they initially sold it to, or from a customer, the AD sold it to, which is your pal's "guy that he does some dealings with..." Whew, long winded I know, but I wanted to make it clear...Can anyone add anything, or subtract if I'm totally misleading?
-Chip

As ong as it has:

1) serial number attached on the caseback of the watch(not polished off)
2) all the paper work, including the warranty card (stamped by the AD) and the COSC certificate with the SAME serial numbers

Should be just fine and you'll have a 2 year warranty from Breitling from the date on the warranty card

No serial number, no Breitling warranty and no future Breitling servicing

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

That answers my question, Thanks for the input and quick response.

Here comes the devil's advocat:

Are You sure, the buddy of Your buddy knows, what a good fake looks like?
Do You trust Your buddy, that he can trust his friend?
Do You really think, that AD will sell a watch on the lowest end of the price range, and sell an easily sellable watch without earning money, just to reduce his inventory? If You were talking about a golden Navitimer, I would say, sure, get ridd of it, when You the times are slow, but for Colt Automatic?

I know those buddy jewelers, they usually come telling, its for the wifes stepbrothers uncle or whomever.

But You never know, if these buddies know the brand. So I would never be 100% sure.

I am not trying to disturb that sale, but You should know, what the options around are. The warranty is not the big deal, as You will have the original retailers stamp in it. Its just, if there are too many people in the chain, everyone wants to earn a couple of hundred bucks, and You have to be sure, if You won't get it cheaper from Your next AD, then from Your friend.


BG
Thomas

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http://www.ellert.at

I do trust my jeweler buddy completely and he has assured me that I can trust his friend, but your right by the time every one gets their cut off of it I might save 100 bucks, and just for the peace of mind knowing that the watch is 100% authentic, I think I will be purchasing it from an AD. Besides, I think that is part of the experience of buying your first high quality watch.....going in the store and leaving with something you have wanted for so long. Thanks again for all of ya'lls advice and input, this site is great and I looking forward to being a proud owner soon.

Agreed go right to an AD the only way to go in my opinion. Especially for your first

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

I'd go with an AD. I've already exchanged PMs with a great AD to work with.

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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

yeah i agree...i don't care who ya know and trust, I'm only buying from an AD, for something like this.

go with jnelsons ad he is the best around.

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Bentley GT
Chrono Colt
Avenger Skyland Blacksteel
Steinhart LE#9/15