A Tale of Two Breitling's

[MrGatsby]

I have two vices in life -- cars and watches. Expensive vices, yes, but healthy ones at that. (or at least that's how I justify to my better half).

The issue with these vices is they are few and far between. With whiskey, you can try a multitude of different kinds and buy again the ones you like. With girls, you could enjoy a different girl dancing on stage every night, and head to a new club next week.

With cars the majority of us can only have one, maybe two. And unless you are among the select few who can afford to go through cars like they do whiskey, you choose those few carefully. I am the former, and I found my one -- the E92 M3 is perfect in all aspects (but we will save that for another thread).

That just leaves watches. With watches I prefer a collection of just a few special pieces. As such, I have been building my collection very slowly, saving for those unique pieces that I will have for life.

Just recently I have been getting into Breitling. Their Motorsport heritage and classic design is very appealing. I have been looking for a unique piece I can wear daily and I have decided on the Avenger II Seawolf with the Cobra Yellow Dial. I was ready to move forward with the stainless version when I found the limited edition run of 1000 pieces with a black steel finish. I like the raw look of the black steel; it looks less posh and more hardcore -- just my style. And the rarity certainly appeals to me.

I suppose my question lies with cost. The limited edition is about a grand more than its counterpart. For a very similar watch, is it worth the premium?

I have never owned a Breitling, but am curious to hear your thoughts on it. and please, post pics of yours!

Option 1) Stainless Steel



Option 2) Black Steel

[Grumpy Old Man]

Breitling are a nice watch. Toys are good, the ones with the most toys when he dies is the winner.......I have a few vices, and they are all cheaper than a 20 year old girlfriend.

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by MrGatsby

I have two vices in life -- cars and watches. Expensive vices, yes, but healthy ones at that. (or at least that's how I justify to my better half).

The issue with these vices is they are few and far between. With whiskey, you can try a multitude of different kinds and buy again the ones you like. With girls, you could enjoy a different girl dancing on stage every night, and head to a new club next week.

With cars the majority of us can only have one, maybe two. And unless you are among the select few who can afford to go through cars like they do whiskey, you choose those few carefully. I am the former, and I found my one -- the E92 M3 is perfect in all aspects (but we will save that for another thread).

That just leaves watches. With watches I prefer a collection of just a few special pieces. As such, I have been building my collection very slowly, saving for those unique pieces that I will have for life.

Just recently I have been getting into Breitling. Their Motorsport heritage and classic design is very appealing. I have been looking for a unique piece I can wear daily and I have decided on the Avenger II Seawolf with the Cobra Yellow Dial. I was ready to move forward with the stainless version when I found the limited edition run of 1000 pieces with a black steel finish. I like the raw look of the black steel; it looks less posh and more hardcore -- just my style. And the rarity certainly appeals to me.

I suppose my question lies with cost. The limited edition is about a grand more than its counterpart. For a very similar watch, is it worth the premium?

I have never owned a Breitling, but am curious to hear your thoughts on it. and please, post pics of yours!

Option 1) Stainless Steel



Option 2) Black Steel

I know that within the last few years, Breitling was sold to a huge private equity firm in Europe. It hasn't seemed to affect anything.

As for your question....I believe the Limited Edition Run is worth the extra money without no emotional investment attached to it. Add to the fact that you like it, then I think it makes it a "no-brainer".

Just remember to keep all of your original paperwork and the original boxes...which I am sure you do.

I have never planned to sell anything I had when buying, but sometimes things come up and I would find something else I liked.... and I would sell one piece and buy another.

[kscarrol]

Yes on keeping the box/papers! I have the stainless watch on a bracelet and love it! Bought it several years ago before the LE was out and I do like that one as well... tough choice! Very long term I think the stainless has a more classic look that maybe the LE black might not have but that's really nit-picking. Buy the one you like!

[See63ess]

I like the stainless better but that is just a personal opinion. I am not a Breitling fan but I like the two that you have chosen. Limited edition on all these watch brands is BS. Just a way to market an exclusivity. Pick the one that speaks to you the most and that you will be most satisfied with when you look down at your wrist.

[TheWatchGuy]

if you like it, buy it.

but buy from the forums.

www.watchrecon.com or www.watchpatrol.net to search. both pull from the various forums and put the listings in an easy to find place.

most watches, like cars, lose a lot of value in the second hand market. even bnib ones.

[DETRoadster]

I bought a "Breitling" once in the Mong Kok market in Hong Kong. Some shady guy whispered "copy watch?" at me and it was on. We haggled for 15 minutes. I think we ended up around $15 USD. It broke before I made it back to the USA, 3 days later. LOL. Some day I'll have a real one. But for now I have to just live vicariously through you guys. I say spring for the limited edition one. I think you'll always wish you had, if you dont.

[Cincinnatus]

I'm always worried that any finished watch, be it plated, anodized, pvd, dlc or other coating, will soon look like crap when it becomes worn scuffed or scratched. At least with natural finishes, they can be repolished or rebuffed to original condition.

Just my two cents.

[MrGatsby]

Originally Posted by Cincinnatus

I'm always worried that any finished watch, be it plated, anodized, pvd, dlc or other coating, will soon look like crap when it becomes worn scuffed or scratched. At least with natural finishes, they can be repolished or rebuffed to original condition.

Just my two cents.

I actually like the worn look. It's character that shows the watch was enjoyed as intended, rather than stored in some case to be sold years later. it wears as you wear it, and becomes uniquely yours.

[kscarrol]

Looking forward to the wrist shots MrGatsby!

[1MOREMOD]

For breitling I would look at 60s navitimers.

[kscarrol]

Have a Navitimer as well, another great watch but a little more dressy than sporty... IMHO

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

For breitling I would look at 60s navitimers.

i agree, as you can see. the other one is from 1998, so only 20 years old.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

I bought a "Breitling" once in the Mong Kok market in Hong Kong. Some shady guy whispered "copy watch?" at me and it was on. We haggled for 15 minutes. I think we ended up around $15 USD. It broke before I made it back to the USA, 3 days later. LOL. Some day I'll have a real one. But for now I have to just live vicariously through you guys. I say spring for the limited edition one. I think you'll always wish you had, if you dont.

I’m stuck on my Apple Watch, Citizens and Casios. Don’t feel bad lol.

[Webb70]

Which one did you choose ?

[wspohn]

Don't want to denigrate the choice you like, but that look really doesn't appeal to me.

I own a 1960s Navitimer which to me looks a heck of a lot better than the garishly coloured modern stuff, but to each his own.

[1MOREMOD]

Yep

[decibeljoe]

The black and yellow combo looks great. Like someone mentioned, LE versions premiums are only worth it if you personally like them. Resale value wont be increased by the same amount over the regular version. Mine has the black,white and blue BMW logo colors.

[Falcigs]

If you planning on buying a Breitling, don't buy it from an AD. I would look for a grey market dealer with box and papers of course or on the forums. Reason being those things have about 40% of mark up. Breitlings aren't known to hold their Value like a Rolex or a Patek because there isn't a demand issue like with Rolex or Patek. I Bought an Avenger Skyland in 2009 for 2600 when it retails for 4500. I ended up selling the watch 8 years later for 2850.

They are great watches and as long as you buy it right you should be fine and will never lose money.

Good luck with your purchase! I still have a Chrono Avenger that my mom bought me back in 2007!

[LuvMyE92]

I've had a few Breitlings in the past, and they are great watches but must be purchased used, as their value drops worse than a 7 series. Unless, of course, you intend to keep it forever and resale means nothing to you.

I'm also in the camp that LE are not worth the premium, but you're not buying the watch for me, you're buying it for you!

[hogwldfltr]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

I've had a few Breitlings in the past, and they are great watches but must be purchased used, as their value drops worse than a 7 series. Unless, of course, you intend to keep it forever and resale means nothing to you.

I'm also in the camp that LE are not worth the premium, but you're not buying the watch for me, you're buying it for you!

Great watches but stylistically not my cup of tea although I had a nice Super Ocean. I agree, buying used is the way to go with these. I like the Navitimers but they're too large for my wrist. For me their Emergencies are what they're really about.