Help with purchasing a Breitling Navitimer

[masterL]

I am hopefully buying a Breitling Navitimer very soon, I have seen a few for sale now and need help deciding which is a better buy.

1. Just advertised today.
http://www.watches.co.uk/watch/15028s/breitling-na...

2. This one originated in GERMANY, does it matter?? strap doesn't look as nice as number 1, but is 5years newer, again does that make a difference?
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling/Navitimer/A...

3. This is the 'World', more expensive, but will this hold its value more? making it a better buy?
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling/Navitimer%2...

What year makes a Navitimer a 'Old Navitimer' compared to just a Navitimer, and any real difference in terms of quality and reliability?

If there are any navitimers your aware of please let me know.

[don logan]

masterL said:

I am hopefully buying a Breitling Navitimer very soon, I have seen a few for sale now and need help deciding which is a better buy.

1. Just advertised today.
http://www.watches.co.uk/watch/15028s/breitling-na...

2. This one originated in GERMANY, does it matter?? strap doesn't look as nice as number 1, but is 5years newer, again does that make a difference?
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling/Navitimer/A...

3. This is the 'World', more expensive, but will this hold its value more? making it a better buy?
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling/Navitimer%2...

What year makes a Navitimer a 'Old Navitimer' compared to just a Navitimer, and any real difference in terms of quality and reliability?

If there are any navitimers your aware of please let me know.

Google Andrew Michaels Jewellers, mega service!!

Collected me in his 997 from the station, gave me a great deal, gave me a selection of gifts, returned me to the station!!!!

[masterL]

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[AlexWF]

The "old" Navitimer (model reference A13322) was made til 2002 and the newer version (A23322) came out in 2003. There was then another upgrade in the past couple of years when the watch (along with loads of other Breitlings) was given an in-house movement.

The old navitimer and the later version look very similar, except for the arrangement of the sub dials - look up some pics on google and you'll see what I mean. They're also the same size. The latest in house version is now bigger (and horrendously expensive).

The Navitimer World (A24322) is basically an oversized Navi with a GMT function - it can show the time in two places at once with the use of a second hour hand that rotates once every 24 hours. These watches are more expensive but don't necessarily hold or lose money any more than the standard one - in fact the standard one is more popular and easier to sell 2nd hand.

In terms of country of origin of watch, plenty of people get hung up on it but it's completely irrelevant. They're all made in the same place after all, and then distributed all over the world to be sold. Anyone that suggests that country of origin is important is either trying to buy a watch cheap off you or doesn't know what they're talking about!

[AlexWF]

One other thing, don't chose one on the basis of the strap. These watches (as with all Breitlings) were available to buy with a massive selection of straps new so it all comes down to what the first (or subsequent) owners decided to put on it. Chose the watch on the basis of dial colour, age, paperwork, budget etc and then change the strap later on if you don't like it.

[masterL]

AlexWF said:

One other thing, don't chose one on the basis of the strap. These watches (as with all Breitlings) were available to buy with a massive selection of straps new so it all comes down to what the first (or subsequent) owners decided to put on it. Chose the watch on the basis of dial colour, age, paperwork, budget etc and then change the strap later on if you don't like it.

Thank you AlexWF, received your email, was going to call you Monday.
I am deciding out of the two navitimers, the 'world is very nice but its going over my budget.
The one I am swinging towards is the one on watches.co.uk, Its cheaper, with the strap I like, although the strap can be easily changed, it will cost hundreds....
I cant see any benefit to the one on watchfinder comparing the two, apart from the age. which is not an issue for me.

Thanks
L.

[yeti]

Seriously, don't get hung up on the strap; a Hirsch isn't much money and Dom H can get you a genuine Breitling strap for not much more.

Get the latest one you can afford, it's a watch with constant improvements.

[GCH]

yeti said:

Seriously, don't get hung up on the strap; a Hirsch isn't much money and Dom H can get you a genuine Breitling strap for not much more.

Get the latest one you can afford, it's a watch with constant improvements.

I would say the opposite- that amount will buy one of the best vintage 806 navitimers available.
No date, venus 178, and more character.
Thats what i did anyway!

Agree on the straps though- none of my breitlings are on their original type or factory straps and are better for it.

[yeti]

GCH said:

I would say the opposite- that amount will buy one of the best vintage 806 navitimers available.
No date, venus 178, and more character.

I've had an 806 and have an 809 for sale; agree they are characterful!

However the questions suggest the OP is fairly new to the game; plexiglass, zero water resistance, not chronometer rated, no date and manual wind make it a very different prospect to a modern Navi!