Breitling advice - buying and otherwise
Discussion
Apologies if this is a repost but I haven't been on for a while and after a bit of googling and chatting to people I realised there isn't a better place to ask than PH, so here goes....
My wife has always wanted to buy me my dream watch for my 40th, as I love watches but have never owned a 'luxury' one. (I have a load of old junk kept for sentimental reasons, and half a dozen cheap dailies including a Citizen EcoDrive, Seiko SKX009, G-Shock and Garmin "get up and move, fatso" smartwatch). I'm not looking for a flipper or an investment, just something that really floats my boat and which I'll keep forever.
Dream watch is an IWC Portuguese Chronograph and out of budget, so in looking around I've fallen for, of all things, the Breitling Oceanmaster Heritage in blue, and 44mm case. Ideally I'd like to get one with the mesh bracelet, and also buy a blue leather strap with deployant clasp (which doesn't seem to be available on the 2018 watch but was on previous ones).
How would people recommend going about buying one for the best price?
The new one retails at £3850, but everyone I've spoken to says you simply don't pay full price - which is just as well because that figure would be doable but painful with another baby imminent.
Duty free brings it down £500 or so, and on Chronos24 I've found sellers in Monaco and Munich who have it for around £1000 less than UK retail - but even without worrying about the import duty side of things I'd be worried about being fleeced with a fake.
Then there's the model to buy....if I got a 'used unworn' one I guess there are savings to be had, but the Breitling guy in a jewellers told me recently the new one has the B20 movement which he said is Breitling's new in-house movement. That appeals to me, but is it more or less desirable?
Any advice? Or can anyone recommend a good dealer who can guide me and do a decent deal?
My wife has always wanted to buy me my dream watch for my 40th, as I love watches but have never owned a 'luxury' one. (I have a load of old junk kept for sentimental reasons, and half a dozen cheap dailies including a Citizen EcoDrive, Seiko SKX009, G-Shock and Garmin "get up and move, fatso" smartwatch). I'm not looking for a flipper or an investment, just something that really floats my boat and which I'll keep forever.
Dream watch is an IWC Portuguese Chronograph and out of budget, so in looking around I've fallen for, of all things, the Breitling Oceanmaster Heritage in blue, and 44mm case. Ideally I'd like to get one with the mesh bracelet, and also buy a blue leather strap with deployant clasp (which doesn't seem to be available on the 2018 watch but was on previous ones).
How would people recommend going about buying one for the best price?
The new one retails at £3850, but everyone I've spoken to says you simply don't pay full price - which is just as well because that figure would be doable but painful with another baby imminent.
Duty free brings it down £500 or so, and on Chronos24 I've found sellers in Monaco and Munich who have it for around £1000 less than UK retail - but even without worrying about the import duty side of things I'd be worried about being fleeced with a fake.
Then there's the model to buy....if I got a 'used unworn' one I guess there are savings to be had, but the Breitling guy in a jewellers told me recently the new one has the B20 movement which he said is Breitling's new in-house movement. That appeals to me, but is it more or less desirable?
Any advice? Or can anyone recommend a good dealer who can guide me and do a decent deal?
Sorry, hard to think - wife has friends with crying babies over and I've an Omega obsessed friend banging on at me about them in the other ear. Yes, I mean the SuperOcean Heritage of course:
https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/watches/superocean...
Thanks for the link sandman77, but that's a 46. I've tried on the three sizes...46 is too big for my wrist, 42 is ok but the 44 was just that little bit bigger and looked and felt a bit more 'special.
https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/watches/superocean...
Thanks for the link sandman77, but that's a 46. I've tried on the three sizes...46 is too big for my wrist, 42 is ok but the 44 was just that little bit bigger and looked and felt a bit more 'special.
Edited by BS63 on Wednesday 1st August 15:12
https://www.swisswatchesdirect.co.uk/watch/ab20201...
£3035 new. Full warranty.
£3035 new. Full warranty.
Edited by cbmotorsport on Wednesday 1st August 15:32
Or as a 42:
https://www.swisswatchesdirect.co.uk/watch/ab20101...
They also list 44s but no photos. I'd give them a call.
https://www.swisswatchesdirect.co.uk/watch/ab20101...
They also list 44s but no photos. I'd give them a call.
BS63 said:
Thanks -so is that site fairly well known and reputable? Sorry, I really don’t know anything about how to safely spend 4 figures on a watch - it’s not something I ever thought I’d do!
I've not used the personally, but they have a good reputation. If you're worried about anything at all, just pay with a credit card.
Hi OP,
I would use the internet deals, find an AD with stock and present your findings/offers, try it on, then offer to pay cash/credit card and ask for the discount - you should be able to get near to the £1000 off, possibly a bit less, if they say no, walk and say you'll visit another AD, suspect you'll get your deal.
I have 2 Breitling's and wouldn't pay list price as they do lose some money over time - great watches i really like mine.
The New movement should carry a 5 year warranty as opposed to the 2 year for older movements, but check with the AD as they could have old stock with an old movement.
Enjoy and happy 40th!
Andy
I would use the internet deals, find an AD with stock and present your findings/offers, try it on, then offer to pay cash/credit card and ask for the discount - you should be able to get near to the £1000 off, possibly a bit less, if they say no, walk and say you'll visit another AD, suspect you'll get your deal.
I have 2 Breitling's and wouldn't pay list price as they do lose some money over time - great watches i really like mine.
The New movement should carry a 5 year warranty as opposed to the 2 year for older movements, but check with the AD as they could have old stock with an old movement.
Enjoy and happy 40th!
Andy
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