Buying off e bay
Discussion
The purchase of eBay would no doubt cost billions 
Buying watches off eBay is fraught with dangers especially high end stuff from abroad. The risk is reduced if the seller has loads of immaculate feedback and you can always ask for high resolution photo's to be sent by email, for the serial numbers etc. and for a picture of the watch set to a specific time (and day /date if applicable).
Breitlings are one of the most frequently faked brands too. If the price looks too good to be true.......
Buy from anywhere outside the EU and you need to budget for VAT + circa £30.00 "release" fees. There is always a chance customs won't snag your parcel, but best assume not.
Buying watches off eBay is fraught with dangers especially high end stuff from abroad. The risk is reduced if the seller has loads of immaculate feedback and you can always ask for high resolution photo's to be sent by email, for the serial numbers etc. and for a picture of the watch set to a specific time (and day /date if applicable).
Breitlings are one of the most frequently faked brands too. If the price looks too good to be true.......
Buy from anywhere outside the EU and you need to budget for VAT + circa £30.00 "release" fees. There is always a chance customs won't snag your parcel, but best assume not.
I've purchased a number of Breitlings via eBay, WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.
Maybe just lucky.
Purchased from the UK mainly, and always had a chat with the seller prior to purchasing. In most cases they have original receipt and I've asked where and when it was purchased, and then contacted that AD, or Breitling themselves.
I've collected a couple of watches - one for cash on delivery and the other after having paid by Paypal.
Purchased the Frecce Triccolori Chronomat Evolution from a seller in Brooklyn, New York (the name has "Matrix content") - again did the same checks but in this case emailed the AD - all checked out OK and I got a fantastic watch at a very good price.
However I've also purchased via Breitling Source, and looked around on TZ-UK.
Look at as many sources as possible for pricing and specification - most sitessellers don't give ALL the details of the watches, but you can get a cumulative list -and then you know what to look for.
Maybe just lucky.
Purchased from the UK mainly, and always had a chat with the seller prior to purchasing. In most cases they have original receipt and I've asked where and when it was purchased, and then contacted that AD, or Breitling themselves.
I've collected a couple of watches - one for cash on delivery and the other after having paid by Paypal.
Purchased the Frecce Triccolori Chronomat Evolution from a seller in Brooklyn, New York (the name has "Matrix content") - again did the same checks but in this case emailed the AD - all checked out OK and I got a fantastic watch at a very good price.
However I've also purchased via Breitling Source, and looked around on TZ-UK.
Look at as many sources as possible for pricing and specification - most sitessellers don't give ALL the details of the watches, but you can get a cumulative list -and then you know what to look for.
I was going to sell my Breitling on eBay, after reading this it looks like I might need to find another outlet to sell it.
But I do agree that only an idiot would buy a high end watch from abroad, as for ringing shops up where it was originally bought; if you cannot tell the difference between a fake and a genuine Breitling then you deserve to be ripped.
But I do agree that only an idiot would buy a high end watch from abroad, as for ringing shops up where it was originally bought; if you cannot tell the difference between a fake and a genuine Breitling then you deserve to be ripped.
dazco said:
But I do agree that only an idiot would buy a high end watch from abroad, as for ringing shops up where it was originally bought; if you cannot tell the difference between a fake and a genuine Breitling then you deserve to be ripped.
Not necessarily - As long as you can research your buyer, which in most cases is rather difficult, then you can pick up some good deals by buying from sellers aboard. This is certainly the case with sellers in the EU, where import duties are not of concern. There are lots of EU sellers on Chrono24 and TZ-UK - I myself have bought from someone living in Sweden!
However if a seller was outside the EU, I'd probably be a bit more wary. I believe one of the Andy's on here has bought the majority of his large collection from sellers across the globe!Also, if you have a look at some of the better replicas, I think you'll find that spotting the difference between a fake and the genuine article can be quite a challenge! In some cases you'll have to remove the back of case to view the movement to determine whether it is a fake or not (or serial numbers etc).
What with Breitling being the most copied watch, there are some pretty convincing fakes available!
ETA: Here is a good example - There are a few tells that this is a fake, so it's not a perfect replica. Overall, it would be enough to fool most people:
Edited by Ikemi on Thursday 8th September 20:46
Ikemi said:
Not necessarily - As long as you can research your buyer, which in most cases is rather difficult, then you can pick up some good deals by buying from sellers aboard. This is certainly the case with sellers in the EU, where import duties are not of concern.
There are lots of EU sellers on Chrono24 and TZ-UK - I myself have bought from someone living in Sweden! However if a seller was outside the EU, I'd probably be a bit more wary. I believe one of the Andy's on here has bought the majority of his large collection from sellers across the globe!
Also, if you have a look at some of the better replicas, I think you'll find that spotting the difference between a fake and the genuine article can be quite a challenge! In some cases you'll have to remove the back of case to view the movement to determine whether it is a fake or not (or serial numbers etc).
What with Breitling being the most copied watch, there are some pretty convincing fakes available!
ETA: Here is a good example - There are a few tells that this is a fake, so it's not a perfect replica. Overall, it would be enough to fool most people:
Who said Breitling was the most copied watch? I do not believe that for a moment.There are lots of EU sellers on Chrono24 and TZ-UK - I myself have bought from someone living in Sweden!
However if a seller was outside the EU, I'd probably be a bit more wary. I believe one of the Andy's on here has bought the majority of his large collection from sellers across the globe!Also, if you have a look at some of the better replicas, I think you'll find that spotting the difference between a fake and the genuine article can be quite a challenge! In some cases you'll have to remove the back of case to view the movement to determine whether it is a fake or not (or serial numbers etc).
What with Breitling being the most copied watch, there are some pretty convincing fakes available!
ETA: Here is a good example - There are a few tells that this is a fake, so it's not a perfect replica. Overall, it would be enough to fool most people:
Edited by Ikemi on Thursday 8th September 20:46
I have researched fakes a little and a few people have said that the movement might be the only genuine bit of a well made fake. These are mass produced in Switzerland and used by quite a few manufacturers.
I am fully aware that my knowledge of watches and watch bits is a slim percentage of most posters on here but there is not a chance a fake Breitling would get past me. And they should not get past other members of the public too. There are just too many 'tells'.
dazco said:
Who said Breitling was the most copied watch? I do not believe that for a moment.
Apologies - Breitling is one of the most susceptible brands to counterfeiting, along with the likes of Rolex, TAG etc. The majority of the general public will have heard of Breitling and will most likely know of their 'prestige' status and their 'into the thousands' price range. Therefore it's a safe bet for replica companies, as people will buy them to fool others of their social and financial status ... Not much point buying a Carl F. Bucherer fake; The originals are lovely, but no one outside watch circles will have heard of them!I'm not stating that all Breitling watches sold on the Internet are fake, but with the likes of eBay, you have to be somewhat careful. Yes, a large percentage of fakes are cheap and have lots of tells. However as AllRemainHoof said, even Authorized Dealers can be fooled ... It's happened before with Hublot AD's too.
I think some of your last comments are a little naive. The public shouldn't be fooled? C'mon, someone sees a relatively good Breitling at a 'too good to be true' price and they buy it, thinking it was the deal of the Century. There have been members on watch forums who have requested help in spotting fakes, as some are really pretty good! Also, you need to check out some super-reps; I don't think you'd spot any tells with an external examination
Ikemi said:
Apologies - Breitling is one of the most susceptible brands to counterfeiting, along with the likes of Rolex, TAG etc. The majority of the general public will have heard of Breitling and will most likely know of their 'prestige' status and their 'into the thousands' price range. Therefore it's a safe bet for replica companies, as people will buy them to fool others of their social and financial status ... Not much point buying a Carl F. Bucherer fake; The originals are lovely, but no one outside watch circles will have heard of them!
I'm not stating that all Breitling watches sold on the Internet are fake, but with the likes of eBay, you have to be somewhat careful. Yes, a large percentage of fakes are cheap and have lots of tells. However as AllRemainHoof said, even Authorized Dealers can be fooled ... It's happened before with Hublot AD's too.
I think some of your last comments are a little naive. The public shouldn't be fooled? C'mon, someone sees a relatively good Breitling at a 'too good to be true' price and they buy it, thinking it was the deal of the Century. There have been members on watch forums who have requested help in spotting fakes, as some are really pretty good! Also, you need to check out some super-reps; I don't think you'd spot any tells with an external examination
The public should not be fooled. Certainly not with Breitlings. I'm not stating that all Breitling watches sold on the Internet are fake, but with the likes of eBay, you have to be somewhat careful. Yes, a large percentage of fakes are cheap and have lots of tells. However as AllRemainHoof said, even Authorized Dealers can be fooled ... It's happened before with Hublot AD's too.
I think some of your last comments are a little naive. The public shouldn't be fooled? C'mon, someone sees a relatively good Breitling at a 'too good to be true' price and they buy it, thinking it was the deal of the Century. There have been members on watch forums who have requested help in spotting fakes, as some are really pretty good! Also, you need to check out some super-reps; I don't think you'd spot any tells with an external examination
Please show me these super duper fakes. The best I have ever seen documented were quite poor when given more than a cursory glance.
Please prove me I am wrong.
A workshop might produce quite an accurate copy for a very expensive watch but to set up a workshop to attain the precision levels that Breitling have, and turn a profit, appear to be out of their reach.
I can, if you wish, direct you to what are generally accepted as some of the best fakes (that a 'normal' person might buy) and they look wonderful until you look at the details. Then you soon realise that they are very very poor.
As I said, it has been a bit of a study of mine and if I am wrong I am wrong. I am not really arguing a point I am asking to be shown more so that I may better understand.
I was worried about buying a fake, but since reading and learning about them as long as the watch is in my hand I will put my money where my mouth is. With Breitlings anyway, and Cartier. Not rolexes though lol.
dazco said:
The public should not be fooled. Certainly not with Breitlings.
Please show me these super duper fakes. The best I have ever seen documented were quite poor when given more than a cursory glance.
Please prove me I am wrong.
A workshop might produce quite an accurate copy for a very expensive watch but to set up a workshop to attain the precision levels that Breitling have, and turn a profit, appear to be out of their reach.
I can, if you wish, direct you to what are generally accepted as some of the best fakes (that a 'normal' person might buy) and they look wonderful until you look at the details. Then you soon realise that they are very very poor.
As I said, it has been a bit of a study of mine and if I am wrong I am wrong. I am not really arguing a point I am asking to be shown more so that I may better understand.
I was worried about buying a fake, but since reading and learning about them as long as the watch is in my hand I will put my money where my mouth is. With Breitlings anyway, and Cartier. Not rolexes though lol.
Definitely not arguing; Just stating that there are some impressive replicas available! Please show me these super duper fakes. The best I have ever seen documented were quite poor when given more than a cursory glance.
Please prove me I am wrong.
A workshop might produce quite an accurate copy for a very expensive watch but to set up a workshop to attain the precision levels that Breitling have, and turn a profit, appear to be out of their reach.
I can, if you wish, direct you to what are generally accepted as some of the best fakes (that a 'normal' person might buy) and they look wonderful until you look at the details. Then you soon realise that they are very very poor.
As I said, it has been a bit of a study of mine and if I am wrong I am wrong. I am not really arguing a point I am asking to be shown more so that I may better understand.
I was worried about buying a fake, but since reading and learning about them as long as the watch is in my hand I will put my money where my mouth is. With Breitlings anyway, and Cartier. Not rolexes though lol.
Some of these are real, some are fake ... Which do you think are which?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
dazco said:
I would say the first three are genuine and the last two are fake, but I would buy none of them wthout touching them.
It's fair enough that handling them will give you a better idea, but I thought showing a few super-rep pics might be fun! Supposedly they are the same weight (or not far off!) the real thing ...Fake: 1, 2, 4, 5
Real: 3
Read here for more examples of super-reps: http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t...
I stand utterly corrected, it seems I would be (easily) fooled by the super fakes.
Thanks for linking that site, I have learned a lot by reading it.
If I was to buy secondhand, after reading that, I would definitely take it to the authorised dealer to be checked out. Not a foolproof system in itself, it would seem.
In answer to the OP it seems the only way to assure yourself it is not a fake is to buy brand new from an authorised dealer and be the first member of the public to actually touch the watch.
Thanks for linking that site, I have learned a lot by reading it.
If I was to buy secondhand, after reading that, I would definitely take it to the authorised dealer to be checked out. Not a foolproof system in itself, it would seem.
In answer to the OP it seems the only way to assure yourself it is not a fake is to buy brand new from an authorised dealer and be the first member of the public to actually touch the watch.
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