Want a Breitling but need advice.

[Xtriple129]

Forgive me for my ignorance but I'm really not up to speed with posh watches. I had a Breitling Crosswind chrono a few years ago that we paid a fair bit of money for and I loved it, wore it infrequently and cherished it. Until (of course) it was found to be a fake. A very good fake, but nonetheless a poxy fake.

I couldn't even look at it anymore and gave it to a friend.

Now, I really want another Breitling but as I'm a Father of three (one just finished Uni, one just about to start driving the other just a pita) I'm a bit skint. Been looking at Colts, preferably with three subdials and a steel strap, but so scared of buying anothe fake.... any advice? Best place to buy and/or get a bargain? Any ways to spot a real one from a bloody fake?

Thanks
Dave.

[Riff Raff]

What's your budget?

[Podie]

Best place to buy and bargain do not go hand in hand.

By from a trusted dealer - where that's on the High Street or through a specialist. Dominic H - http://www.hackettwatches.com/ - is a good place to start. Top bloke, trustworthy and good prices.

[Spice_Weasel]

Buy pre-owned. There's a Breitling Super Ocean here for £695: http://chronomaster.co.uk/breitling.htm (third watch down)

OK, so it's not a chronograph, but it's an OK price and Neil at Chronomaster is a trusted source.

[Podie]

Spice_Weasel said:

Buy pre-owned. There's a Breitling Super Ocean here for £695: http://chronomaster.co.uk/breitling.htm (third watch down)

OK, so it's not a chronograph, but it's an OK price and Neil at Chronomaster is a trusted source.

Agreed.

[Xtriple129]

Budget is around a thousand quid..... but of course that "may" be flexible.

Just been into the big city (Torquay!) to Goldsmiths and got suckered into the shop, man there are some luuuuuuurrrvely watches out there.

Then went looking somewhere else and started looking at Citizen watches (what I currently wear) and they are lovely too.

Oh so many lovely watches and so little cash!

[Moose.]

Plenty of temptations here:

http://www.watches.co.uk/watches/gents-watches/bre...

I bought a Breitling from them earlier this year. Trust worthy and good service. You can even book an appointment and check the watch out in the metal before you buy (I did, as I happened to be in London around the time I wanted to buy).

[Riff Raff]

Xtriple129 said:

Budget is around a thousand quid..... but of course that "may" be flexible.

Just been into the big city (Torquay!) to Goldsmiths and got suckered into the shop, man there are some luuuuuuurrrvely watches out there.

Then went looking somewhere else and started looking at Citizen watches (what I currently wear) and they are lovely too.

Oh so many lovely watches and so little cash!

I think you will struggle to find a mechanical chronograph with your budget (from a dealer anyway). That leaves private sales. Ebay, personally, I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, which leaves somewhere like TZ-UK.

I'd have thought you'd be able to get a decent example of one of the quartz models for the sort of money you are looking at, and the Aerospaces (and all sorts of other ones) have chronograph functions. They obviously won't last as long as a mechanical watch - you hear all sorts of stories about Breitling no longer being able to replace the movements in the older models. Mine is still going strong though, and it dates from the mid 80's.

Gratuitous wrist shot.................




To get a mechanical chrono you might have to splash a little more cash. Expect to pay more for one on a steel strap than you would for one on leather. Personally, I like the leather straps, and the Breitling Deployant is one of the most comfortable deploy ants I've ever worn. The old style Chronomats seem to be fetching £1,500 plus from the dealers; I've always liked those. Newer ones like the Chronomat Evos will cost you a lot more than that from a dealers, but you might get lucky and pick one up privately fro a bit less. I paid £1,700 for this, privately, about 18 months ago. At least I think that's what I paid. I don't keep records of what any of my hobbies cost just in case the wife stumbles across them. What it might fetch now, I don't know.



If you want something other than a Breitling, have a look at the Sinn range. I think they are good value, and you get a lot of watch for your money. You'll see those I think on the Chronomaster site mentioned above. I've always fancied one of the Max Bill Chronoscopes on that site too..........

[traffman]

I own a Breitling Aerospace , allways wanted one since an early age.

Purchased from Goldsmiths in Buchannan street in Glasgow circa 2001 for 1250 pounds.

Lovely all titanium , amazingly accurate (loses about 17 seconds every 6 months).

Its perfect , reliable and very attractive .

I will never part with it , 2 years ago i had the battery replaced and was given a full service for approx 240 pounds .

If your looking for a rugged attractive modern timepiece i couldnt recc them high enough.

[Xtriple129]

Having discovered that my current budget will only cover a used one, I blew 2x my budget on a Tag and a Tissot, both new. I don't know why but I decided I really wanted/want new watches. Guess I'm still scared of privates sales and ebay for watches as the risks for a novice/idiot like myself are just too great.

I will get a Breitling soon - want a Colt chrono as I like the smaller dimensions but was told that they are being discontinued?

[TheTraveller]

Xtriple129 said:

Having discovered that my current budget will only cover a used one, I blew 2x my budget on a Tag and a Tissot, both new. I don't know why but I decided I really wanted/want new watches. Guess I'm still scared of privates sales and ebay for watches as the risks for a novice/idiot like myself are just too great.

I will get a Breitling soon - want a Colt chrono as I like the smaller dimensions but was told that they are being discontinued?

Get a Superocean, the Colt is its poor cousin, especially if its a quartz. Love my Superocean, amongst others.