New Watch advice needed

[Streetrod]

Hi Guys and Girls, I need some help. I love watches but in the past have never been able to afford the ones I like but recently things have changed and I am now in a position to buy my first decent dress watch. The one I have my eye on is the Breitling Flying B Chronograph. Now I am by no means an expert on watches so have no idea if this watch is worth the money, but I do love the way it looks. Could any you experts give me a decent opinion on the Breitling Bentley Series and would it be a wise investment. I have attached a pic

[Burba]

I personally wouldn't consider a Breitling as being an investment per-se (I own one myself) as I'm certain you could purchase an older watch at less money that would hold its value better.

A few people on here have issues over the originality of their movements against the money they demand.

I quite like mine and bought it for that very reason - because I like it.

I'd suggest you buy based on your tastes, rather than the opinion of others.
However.... if you're looking for an investment, that's a whole other story!

Hope that helps.

If you're in the market, I'd give Dominic H a call from here, very nice chap who'll help you no end.
edited for shameless plug

Edited by Burba on Thursday 30th October 12:58

[Streetrod]

Thanks for the tips, I should not have used the word "Investment" in this conversation in retrospect. I am just looking to reward myself with a nice watch.
Can I ask what issues I might have with the movement of these watches, I was under the impression that Breitling were well made etc etc?

[shadowninja]

That is a lovely watch. I see you're also in Surrey. When you buy it, can I come round and lick it?

[Streetrod]

shadowninja said:

That is a lovely watch. I see you're also in Surrey. When you buy it, can I come round and lick it?

PERV!!!!!!

[Burba]

shadowninja said:

That is a lovely watch. I see you're also in Surrey. When you buy it, can I come round and lick it?

lol

They are well made - just remember, like all automatics (I generalise), they will lose/gain a little time each month.
Apart from that, I've had mine 10months now and it stills looks great!

[shadowninja]

Streetrod said:

shadowninja said:

That is a lovely watch. I see you're also in Surrey. When you buy it, can I come round and lick it?

PERV!!!!!!

Your watch, I meant!

[Papoo]

I, too, own a Breitling. Regards the movement; it's my understanding that any 'overpriced' comments are directed at the fact that Breitling do not manufacture their own movements. They buy them from a movement company and modify them. This is nothing to worry about, most watch-makers do this, the movements they buy are mechanically near perfect, they are just less unique/more mainstream than say, a Rolex.

In-house movements tend to bump up the price, for obvious reasons.

For the price of a Flying B (I love it), you can get a watch with a fully in-house movement, eg Rolex.

That aside, the flying B is a beautiful timepiece. It's also brilliantly made. My Breitling hasn't put a foot wrong in 9 years (inc. lots of military survival stuff/general abuse). It's not cheap, but I was recently offered $7,000 off a showroom Flying B from my dealer. Lots of bartering to be done with such widely distributed watches as Breitlings and Omegas.

Perhaps an actual connosseur of fine timepieces may be more concerned with having an in-house movement, than a layman (like you and me) who just enjoys the quality, aesthetics and prestige of a beautiful watch.

Enjoy it, a fine watch is a beautiful thing, & wear it in good health..

[Streetrod]

Papoo said:

I, too, own a Breitling. Regards the movement; it's my understanding that any 'overpriced' comments are directed at the fact that Breitling do not manufacture their own movements. They buy them from a movement company and modify them. This is nothing to worry about, most watch-makers do this, the movements they buy are mechanically near perfect, they are just less unique/more mainstream than say, a Rolex.

In-house movements tend to bump up the price, for obvious reasons.

For the price of a Flying B (I love it), you can get a watch with a fully in-house movement, eg Rolex.

That aside, the flying B is a beautiful timepiece. It's also brilliantly made. My Breitling hasn't put a foot wrong in 9 years (inc. lots of military survival stuff/general abuse). It's not cheap, but I was recently offered $7,000 off a showroom Flying B from my dealer. Lots of bartering to be done with such widely distributed watches as Breitlings and Omegas.

Perhaps an actual connosseur of fine timepieces may be more concerned with having an in-house movement, than a layman (like you and me) who just enjoys the quality, aesthetics and prestige of a beautiful watch.

Enjoy it, a fine watch is a beautiful thing, & wear it in good health..

Thanks for the advice, much appriciated.
As for going for a Rolex, too be honest they are not really my style. Can I ask, a previous poster mentioned "Automatic" can i ask what is ment by that?

[Papoo]

Streetrod said:

Papoo said:

I, too, own a Breitling. Regards the movement; it's my understanding that any 'overpriced' comments are directed at the fact that Breitling do not manufacture their own movements. They buy them from a movement company and modify them. This is nothing to worry about, most watch-makers do this, the movements they buy are mechanically near perfect, they are just less unique/more mainstream than say, a Rolex.

In-house movements tend to bump up the price, for obvious reasons.

For the price of a Flying B (I love it), you can get a watch with a fully in-house movement, eg Rolex.

That aside, the flying B is a beautiful timepiece. It's also brilliantly made. My Breitling hasn't put a foot wrong in 9 years (inc. lots of military survival stuff/general abuse). It's not cheap, but I was recently offered $7,000 off a showroom Flying B from my dealer. Lots of bartering to be done with such widely distributed watches as Breitlings and Omegas.

Perhaps an actual connosseur of fine timepieces may be more concerned with having an in-house movement, than a layman (like you and me) who just enjoys the quality, aesthetics and prestige of a beautiful watch.

Enjoy it, a fine watch is a beautiful thing, & wear it in good health..

Thanks for the advice, much appriciated.
As for going for a Rolex, too be honest they are not really my style. Can I ask, a previous poster mentioned "Automatic" can i ask what is ment by that?

Automatic means self-winding, ie. no need to change batteries, or wind up yourself. This is usually by means of a mechanism which uses the motion of the wearer's arm to wind up the mainspring..

[Streetrod]

Papoo said:

Streetrod said:

Papoo said:

I, too, own a Breitling. Regards the movement; it's my understanding that any 'overpriced' comments are directed at the fact that Breitling do not manufacture their own movements. They buy them from a movement company and modify them. This is nothing to worry about, most watch-makers do this, the movements they buy are mechanically near perfect, they are just less unique/more mainstream than say, a Rolex.

In-house movements tend to bump up the price, for obvious reasons.

For the price of a Flying B (I love it), you can get a watch with a fully in-house movement, eg Rolex.

That aside, the flying B is a beautiful timepiece. It's also brilliantly made. My Breitling hasn't put a foot wrong in 9 years (inc. lots of military survival stuff/general abuse). It's not cheap, but I was recently offered $7,000 off a showroom Flying B from my dealer. Lots of bartering to be done with such widely distributed watches as Breitlings and Omegas.

Perhaps an actual connosseur of fine timepieces may be more concerned with having an in-house movement, than a layman (like you and me) who just enjoys the quality, aesthetics and prestige of a beautiful watch.

Enjoy it, a fine watch is a beautiful thing, & wear it in good health..

Thanks for the advice, much appriciated.
As for going for a Rolex, too be honest they are not really my style. Can I ask, a previous poster mentioned "Automatic" can i ask what is ment by that?

Automatic means self-winding, ie. no need to change batteries, or wind up yourself. This is usually by means of a mechanism which uses the motion of the wearer's arm to wind up the mainspring..

Ahh, I understand now. So in general is an automatic better than a watch that you have to wind manualy

[okgo]

That depends on your thinking doesn't it..If its going on your arm as a tool, then I would have thought an auto would be better..

I personally couldnt be bothered to wind a watch, or have to worry about it stopping. I wear my Omega to tell me the time in all circumstances.

But if I am going out or dress up then I think that the Marine Original by Stowa would convince me to take a manual winder...

[tertius]

Personally and I really stress the personally bit - because this is only my opinion and you need to buy a watch that you really like, want to wear and will in short, love - my money would not be going to Breitling given the sort of budget you seem to have available.

Breitling don't make watches that are to my taste and simply don't tick the right watch boxes for me. I also don't think they are that special frankly.

Based on your other thread, given the budget you have available, I would be looking for a couple of really special watches that would cover all the reasonable bases.

Some suggestions which you are welcome to ignore ... ...

Blancpain 50 Fathoms:



Blancain 50 Fathoms Chrono:



Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Duo Grande GMT



NB none of these are especially good pics - but may give you some ideas. Take your time and look at a lot of watches. Also you might want to take a friend with you when you are looking - a second opinion is worth having. Finally don't be pressured into buying in a hurry everyone will want to make a deal right now, and I suspect high end watches aren't flying out of the door at the moment. Some watches will be in high demand and hard to find, but I suspect in nine cases out of ten they'll want to do a better deal tomorrow.

[Stuart]

As ever, Tertius speaks the truth.

I certainly wouldn't lay down the cash in any watch store without going away and getting a price from an independent broker in the current climate. They can give you some solid advice on what watches can and can't be had with a discount.

Oh, and I'm with Tertius on the Breitlings, but it is your choice after all.

Enjoy the process - that's half the fun after all. That and posting pics here for our collective enjoyment when you have it on your wrist!