The general concensus on Breitling
Discussion
Mazdarese said:
I'm no expert on watches, far far from it. I know nothing other than I've wanted a Breitling Navitimer for years, and I've promised myself one one day. I've even considered downgrading my car so that I can justify the expense.
But, I often read this sub-forum and notice there's relatively little discussion around them, which makes me think nobody likes them or rates them?
What's the story? Are they good, well-made watches? Or do people, the experts, view them as tacky and unnecessarily expensive?
I currently wear an Accurist that was a gift many years ago, and I like it but it's looking tatty.
I bought a Navitimer world in 2008, it was absolutely superb, it looks fantastic and is extremely well made, I paid a shade over £4000 for mine- they are currently around £6300, Breitling seem to be constantly raising their prices, it will only go up in value.But, I often read this sub-forum and notice there's relatively little discussion around them, which makes me think nobody likes them or rates them?
What's the story? Are they good, well-made watches? Or do people, the experts, view them as tacky and unnecessarily expensive?
I currently wear an Accurist that was a gift many years ago, and I like it but it's looking tatty.
People who appreciate a watch will give you positive comments, they look superb, I had the white face and silver strap, it looked amazing.
The only issue I had was when I wore it into the sea whilst on holiday and some condensation appeared inside the crystal screen- see forum post.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... NAVITIMER WORLD (2008) WATERPROOF?
I would strongly recommend buying one, I sadly lost mine earlier this year, so i'm on the hunt for another Breitling, see my recent post.
The only downsides of owning one are some people haven't heard of the brand (how, I have no idea) and secondly there are a lot of replicas of them going around, the Navitimer is probably one of the most popular replicas.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Fun Bus said:
I too would like a Breitling as my next watch purchase. What are the servicing costs and timings on a Breitling?
It all depends on the model and type of movement.The navitimer requires a service every 4-5 years, I am not sure of the exact cost as sadly I lost the thing before it was due a service, but I know it is costly, a couple of hundred at least.
Deano84 said:
Fun Bus said:
I too would like a Breitling as my next watch purchase. What are the servicing costs and timings on a Breitling?
It all depends on the model and type of movement.The navitimer requires a service every 4-5 years, I am not sure of the exact cost as sadly I lost the thing before it was due a service, but I know it is costly, a couple of hundred at least.
There is a school of thought that you just wear a watch until it goes wrong and then get it serviced. It's up to you really. Me, I've been wearing mechanical watches since my late teens, some 40 years ago. I think I've probably paid for about 4 services in that time.
Riff Raff said:
That's the book answer. In practice, it's going to depend on whether you wear the watch every day, or whether you do rotation.
There is a school of thought that you just wear a watch until it goes wrong and then get it serviced. It's up to you really. Me, I've been wearing mechanical watches since my late teens, some 40 years ago. I think I've probably paid for about 4 services in that time.
Very true, but I would service it to ensure strong future residual figures for a watch of this value, I, for one would not purchase a watch of this amount without checking it has been serviced within the manufacturers guidelines- much like buying a second hand car i suppose. There is a school of thought that you just wear a watch until it goes wrong and then get it serviced. It's up to you really. Me, I've been wearing mechanical watches since my late teens, some 40 years ago. I think I've probably paid for about 4 services in that time.
Also i would rather be safe than sorry, if something went wrong with this type of watch I dread to think how much Breitling would charge outside of the warranty.
I don't care about movement snobbery but don't like most breitlings as I find their design overly complicated and fussy, as are some of their straps.
Quite fancied an emergency chrono with a bright face though,and those one Jimi has posted above have a simple elegance most of them lack to my eyes
But go for it if you have reviewed all the other options and that is what you want
Quite fancied an emergency chrono with a bright face though,and those one Jimi has posted above have a simple elegance most of them lack to my eyes
But go for it if you have reviewed all the other options and that is what you want
Servicing through Breitling is £360 plus £12 postage. I have been using Russell Talerman. £250
http://www.russelltalerman.com/index.php
http://www.russelltalerman.com/index.php
al1991 said:
Also, was it Dominic Hackett you spoke to? Not heard a bad thing said about him, 
Yep, it was Dom and he was great. Knows his stuff.To be honest I still feel like a bit of a t
t for not going through with it after he'd helped me so much, but I got nervous about spending that amount of money. 
That said, he'll be my first port of call when the time comes.
Always liked Breitling. My wife took control of my old Colt Superocean when pregnant, thinks it is hers now. I wear this every day :
Paid around £4k for it 4 years ago, now priced at £7,640
Now needs a serice and one of the riders came off. £125 for the rider and a service and that'll be £525 sir!
If I won the lottery, i'd have one of these:
Paid around £4k for it 4 years ago, now priced at £7,640
Now needs a serice and one of the riders came off. £125 for the rider and a service and that'll be £525 sir!If I won the lottery, i'd have one of these:
Murcielago_Boy said:
My Superocean Chrono was sent to Breitling for service and repair via Watches of Switzerland.
I asked for full refurb, repair (it wasn't holding charge nor winding properly) and new pushers - basically make it new again....
The bill is £795 and so far it's been gone some 8 weeks.
Crikey. I'm not sure I'd be happy about it being away for 2 months.I asked for full refurb, repair (it wasn't holding charge nor winding properly) and new pushers - basically make it new again....
The bill is £795 and so far it's been gone some 8 weeks.
Servicing prices are on a downloadable PDF from here http://www.breitling.com/en/maintenance/retailers-...
I've owned quite a few Breitlings in the past and currently have a Navitimer Olympus and a Skyland Avenger. Not a big fan of any of the Windrider series except the lovely brushed finish Blackbird.
Generally they are very well built and very saleable second hand. I picked up my 6 month old Skyland last week for 50% off its RRP, but they aren't generally that cheap!
RRP -40% is the general price for a 2nd hand Breitling.
My current two.................
Stef
I've owned quite a few Breitlings in the past and currently have a Navitimer Olympus and a Skyland Avenger. Not a big fan of any of the Windrider series except the lovely brushed finish Blackbird.
Generally they are very well built and very saleable second hand. I picked up my 6 month old Skyland last week for 50% off its RRP, but they aren't generally that cheap!
RRP -40% is the general price for a 2nd hand Breitling.
My current two.................
Stef
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