The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am a bit confused about purchasing my next Breitling online through a website... say http://www.prestigetime.com. They offer much better prices then your local watch store, however I know the home page of the Breitling website says this,

I always thought it was a big NO NO to purchase a Breitling from any site on the net, but then I saw the banner add on this site for http://www.prestigetime.com. This confused me because this site is dedicated to maintaining the integrity and brand of Breitling.

What's the story? How do sites like http://www.prestigetime.com, http://www.watchmaxx.com, http://www.authenticwatches.com and http://www.jomashop.com get new Breitling's to sell?

Gray Market:
http://www.chronocentric.com/watches/graymarket.shtml

Nobody is really sure why Breitling makes the claim that they are all fake, but it may be that since gray dealers are not authorized to sell the watches, they are selling "fake" (read: unauthorized) merchandise.

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-RJ

I think Breitlings statement is designed as shock tactic, and for most people its probably a good thing. Not everyone knows how to spot a fake, or knows to ask about the perforated, serial numbered warranty booklet and other papers for grey market or second hand watches.

Its just safer for them to not associate themselves with internet sales. That way if someone does get ripped off, they're not seen to be supporting that seller.

I bought my cheapest, most simple piece, a Colt Quartz from an internet based company. It just happened they are near to me so I picked it up anyway. If it was a more expensive piece, say a Chronomat, I would rather go to an AD.

The point is: Breitling will not guarantee, a watch bought from an internet seller is a genuine watch. And even big internet sales companies sometimes buy fakes on the grey market. It happend before and it will happen again. When You buy from an AD, there is a shop and an owner, who will guarantee, that their Breitlings are real, and if it is not, You can go there and beat the sh*** out of his face. When You buy from an internet company and have a problem, it is normaly quite tough to finde someone responsible.

Also You have to think about the following:
Thousands of Breitling ADs worldwide invest money in stores and in stock to sell You the watches with well (or at least decently) trained and hopefully friendly salespersonal (wich also costs money) to show You the watches in question, to let You try them on and to aid You in Your decision to spend Your money there.
Now there are a few, who think, they are smarter and want to do the same business (more or less illegally) with less cost, responsibility and service. It is up to You to decide, if You really want to buy a watch on the internet and not with Your local AD.

BG
Alien

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http://www.ellert.at

The search function will reveal dozens of discussions about this.

PrestigeTime sell real watches, with serial numbers intact, without Breitling warranty for prices that are not significantly better (and in some cases worse) than a North American dealer will discount with some shopping around, but likely are better for many European buyers.

They provide their own warranty which to me is virtually worthless for repairs because it could be Joe in the back with a bucket of generic parts. If you have a warranty issue with a grey market dealer the only option is to insist on a replacement watch.

So are the bracelets on authenticwatches in fact genuine?

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Tatonka

Try to decide how good your hand is at a given moment. Nothing else matters. Nothing!
-- Doyle Brunson

Breitling Blackbird

Yes, again this has been discussed before and the search will give you all the details.

In summary - prices are genererally msrp or very close so no reason to buy from them.

Awesome post... Couldn't have said it better myself!

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BC

my view is as per the line in roff's get a better deal from an AD but shop around for it.

grey market = big risk imo

or buy second hand that is less than 2 years old there are plenty on the market right now and get a genuine watch much cheaper and possible still with warranty.

personally ill never buy shand unless its from an AD or someone on here or someone on here has given me the all clear

Valmont,

I too was skeptical about buying my first Breitling online, but I went ahead and did it because the company offered a 4 day refund policy with a FULL refund and no restocking fees so I felt the risk was worth it. I did a lot of research and the company had great feedback, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger. As soon as I got it, I took it to my local AD and they confirmed the authenticity of the watch. It came with the serial numbers intact and all the official paperwork.

I ended up getting a way better deal than anything I could have gotten from an AD and definitely have no regrets.

By the way, I bought it from Interwatches.com.

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Breitling Bentley Motors

Wait a second.........Don't you NEED to have the Breitling Warranty booklet filled-out by an AD, in order to return your watch to Breitling for service? At least I thought that's what was in my warranty booklet (My watch is currently being returned, so I don't have the booklet right now).
How do the internet buyers get their watches serviced by Breitling?

They pay!

Breitling will service without the warranty booklet, but not under warranty.

Grey market dealers offer their own warranty, but as they can't get access to Breitling parts you will only get standard ETA / Valjoux parts from their service. To my mind if you have to use a grey market warranty then you must insist on a replacement watch.