Breitling Navitimer Advice

[pdavison]

I'm new to the world of watches and wanted to seek a little advice from those in the know.

I've been looking at Breitling Navitimers purely based on the fact I love they way they look. I've tried on a couple and due to having wrists on the smaller side, I've been drawn to the one below:

https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Breitling--Navitimer-...

I also tried on a 43mm with chronograph which also looked good but was considerably more expensive.

I have no requirement for the chronograph so this got me thinking. Should I look at a pre-owned example with the chronograph or am I better to opt for new and go for the one I've linked to above.

I believe in buying what you like, but I like both, so just seeing what those more knowledgeable would opt for and why ...

[MarkS3]

Unless you particularly like the look of chronos, I'd go for the watch in the link - looks really nice!
My guess is that most people (including me) buy chronos because they like they way they look and rarely, if ever, use the chrono function.

[ellroy]

Nice that, the clean faced one.

I’ve a Chrono on one of my watches, very rarely gets used. If I remember to wear it to Le Mans it’s useful if it’s close and someone’s closing in, but that’s not that common.

[Dicky Knee]

Shop around as you should be able to get a reasonable discount.

Dom Hackett is always worth a call.

[pdavison]

Thanks for the views, I’ll start the search and see if there’s any discount to be had!

[GTEYE]

I’ve just bought a new Breitling- and secured 20% discount from a UK AD - so make sure you haggle hard, it is possible.

[pdavison]

Good to know. I assume if I haggle the chances of also getting a decent finance deal are out of the window?

[bonerp]

My first Breitling was a Navitimer World with GMT. Nice watch and a great price esp pre owned.
My second is a 48mm GMT limited edition, and even at a Breitling Boutique I got 26% off it and a croc strap with deployment included alongside the bracelet.

[Dicky Knee]

pdavison said:

Good to know. I assume if I haggle the chances of also getting a decent finance deal are out of the window?

Highly likely.

I think some people on here have taken the discount and used a 0% credit card deal to finance it.

[bonerp]

Dicky Knee said:

pdavison said:

Good to know. I assume if I haggle the chances of also getting a decent finance deal are out of the window?

Highly likely.

I think some people on here have taken the discount and used a 0% credit card deal to finance it.

the watch I mentioned above had 0% and a 26% discount.....doesn't matter to Breitling as the loan was from hitachi (arranged by the boutique)

[pdavison]

bonerp said:

Dicky Knee said:

pdavison said:

Good to know. I assume if I haggle the chances of also getting a decent finance deal are out of the window?

Highly likely.

I think some people on here have taken the discount and used a 0% credit card deal to finance it.

the watch I mentioned above had 0% and a 26% discount.....doesn't matter to Breitling as the loan was from hitachi (arranged by the boutique)

Great stuff - time to get shopping!

[emperorburger]

Breitling often suffer big depreciation from new, so pre-owned is well worth considering. A good pre-owned watch can be almost indistinguishable from new.

The model you posted is also sub £3k on chrono24

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breitling/navitimer-aut...

Edited by emperorburger on Friday 11th October 11:19

[mikeveal]

Personally I think its crazy to buy new, just as with cars. But just as with cars, people do. So it may help the OP to know that apparently they have opened an outlet store in Bicester.

[pdavison]

I had considered pre-owned as well but this model I think will be too new to appear as a pre-owned watch.

From what I've seen most similar style pre-owned examples are chronograph models and price wise they're around the same level as the new one I linked to. I guess they must have been circa £6k new so the argument would be I'd be getting a 'better' watch but will the one I linked to end up with a pre-owned value of circa £2k? Crystal ball question I know but want to buy as 'smart' as I can!

[emperorburger]

Personally, I prefer the non-chrono versions. To me they just look cleaner and more stylish, but it's what you like that matters. The smart money (which with watches is normally a contradiction in terms) would probably go with a pre-owned Rolex steel sports, such as a GMT or a Milgauss, but the entry point for purchase is higher and these may not be your style at all.

[pdavison]

I've never been a Rolex fan and my priority is definitely getting something I like the look and feel of but I guess whenever you spend a reasonable amount of money you always want to think about buying clever as well.

[emperorburger]

Just haggle hard if you are buying new as it will take a big hit as soon as you leave the shop. Don't pay anywhere close to RRP and if possible try and bag a bargain on a pre-owned Breitling from someone trying to get out. Always best to let someone else take the haircut when new with most luxury watches.

When buying pre-owned from a dealer, many of them like to slap a big margin on top however there is more wiggle room for negotiation as invariably they have taken some poor punter to the cleaners when they've purchased it to move on.

Edited by emperorburger on Friday 11th October 15:08

[Wills2]

emperorburger said:

Personally, I prefer the non-chrono versions. To me they just look cleaner and more stylish, but it's what you like that matters. The smart money (which with watches is normally a contradiction in terms) would probably go with a pre-owned Rolex steel sports, such as a GMT or a Milgauss, but the entry point for purchase is higher and these may not be your style at all.

The spread on the trade vs grey retail on a GMT is probably larger than the cost of the Breitling and you're not getting a GMT AD retail as a one off purchaser, so I wouldn't call that a smart move myself.

[pdavison]

I’ve been trying to see what discount I can get but so far not having much luck from the main retailers. Online shops offer what looks like a good discount but don’t offer the finance options so will continue the search to see if I can combine the two!

Edited by pdavison on Monday 14th October 21:08

[Lee540]

Really like this watch except I’m not a fan of this Breitling logo, much prefer the full wings emblem found on other watches.

I’m considering a 42mm Superocean.