Comments on: Buying Watches Online or in a Store

By: stroh80

stroh80 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:13:38 +0000

Useful article indeed, thanks for sharing with us.
Here is my story, you might want to consider this type of buying:
I had been planning to by a Breitling Navitimer ever since I was a boy and first saw it. Recently I started saving money for it, so two weeks ago I finally bought my first. I was doing tons of researches during the past months and ended up with one of my local AD. (Budapest, HUN)
I was just too scared to pay 5-6000$ for anything over the net which could turn out to be fake. So I looked up almost all the stores in the city and had long chats with the dealers.
Believe or not, almost all of them offered discounts instantly from the original price.
However we both knew that the initial price has a huge margin for them, but still. Both of us came out happily from the deal; I had a feeling that I save 500$ and he can say that I sold another Navitimer.

So, all I’m saying is that before buying, also consider the option of bargaining. This could save you money, while you get the same genuine watch with its all support.

By: Marco

Marco — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:32:55 +0000

I am happy to read the article and i found it very usefull. I am investing in my first
timepiece and eventhough pople i know recommend buying it on line, i am having a second thought.
Thank you….

By: jessica

jessica — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:55:54 +0000

is thewatchery.com a good source to buy a breitling?

By: scipi

scipi — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:58:14 +0000

Saw a Colt II Automatic on Ebay Italy sold by a professional buyer. Checked out the companies location and VAT nr with Breitling Italia and Breitling confirmed that the company was an authorised AD. Bought the watch from them over the phone without any probelms. Do some research before buying via ebay or correspondance there are some good deals to be had if you look around.

By: The Breitling Source

The Breitling Source — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:45:00 +0000

I have a good contact at la swiss in Toronto, its where I get my Breitlings now. Email me if you want to know.

By: Gokce

Gokce — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:35:53 +0000

I am looking at buying a Breitling SA within the next month, i have been doing a lot of research and came across the obove mentioned website claiming to sell 100% authentic watches with full papers, box brand new with serial number intact, however; was unable to find any reviews on this site.

Would anyone here have any comments, or suggestions. my only other option here in Toronto Canada is La Swiss, Chronos (by Las Swiss), any maybe a couple more.

thanks for your help

By: Paul A. Janssen

Paul A. Janssen — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:49:08 +0000

First I would like to commend Breitling Source .com on the great article. But there is one real big advantage of bying online that is verry hard te accieve via joure Autherised Dealer on the street corner in annywheresville. That is that if you are looking for a limited edtion version of anny watch that it’s easer to buy online than it is to buy at a AD unlis it is ofcourse the boutiqeu shop (official watchmaker run shop which are few ad far between)or a really large preffered AD that will be stocked with the watch you are looking for, otherwise it would normaly be a unbarible task to source the watch you want and crave.

But I would like to repeat that if you buy online and receive the watch and even all the paperwork is there but not filled in by the dealer it alway’s helps that you know your local AD who will usualy help you out with the required (embossed)stamp / seal ofapproval that will be recognised by that watch manuacturer to receive all the goodies you would have received with the purcace.

In reply to Phillip M. Manti. Yes original watch do got bust in the warenty periode as well. I can tell you of two instances this has happend to me and a close aquantance of mine. Both instases where with Omega Seamasters with CO-AXIAL movements, one was my own Omega Seamaster GMT (blue dial in steal) specialy ordered for me by my local AD. The other was a Omega Seamaster Limited edition (pierce brosnan choice) in titanium which a collgue bought direct for the importer which also went haywire.

Greetings from a watch collector in The Netherlands.

Paul

By: Adam Davis

Adam Davis — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:05:26 +0000

Hi, Anyone have any experience of http://www.aatime.com
I am going to buy a evolution and this site looks really good.

any advice ?

Adam…

By: The Breitling Source

The Breitling Source — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:10:39 +0000

Congrats, Phillip on two very sound and informed buying decisions. Enjoy the CA!

By: Phillip M. Manti

Phillip M. Manti — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:20:50 +0000

I purchased a Breitling Chrono Avenger M1 early this year at an on-line store (Prestige Time.Com) and had a superb experience and received an authentic Breitling watch with all the factory paperwork: box, case, manuals, chronometer “attestation, etc. The watch was 100% brand new, genuine in the original box with the original serial numbers intact and unaltered.

Prior to purchasing on-line I visited a AD to check out what was actually supplied with a Breitling watch. What I got from an on-line store was the same as purchasing from a bricks-and-mortar store.

Sure, I didn’t get the warm, fuzzy, hands-on treatment but I’m not the type of person who likes to pay an extra $1,000 for a watch to receive that treatment. Also, the original warranty would have to have been performed by the selling business but what $3,000 plus watch fails within the warranty period? Highly doubtful. AFTER THAT warranty period would Breitling fail to repair or clean one of their original watches? No.

My first quality watch was/is a 1979 Rolex Submariner purchased in late 1979, through the mail, from a dealer in Hong Kong. The price here in America for the Submariner was $1,070 and the price in Hong Kong was $535 plus about $28.00 import duty tax which was paid to the U.S. Postman upon delivery! Well worth the effort……
I was living in Los Angeles at the time and immediately took it to the Authorized Rolex repair facility on Olympic Ave and they opened it up and declared it Rolex Original. I’ve never had a problem since; Rolex has never failed to clean it, etc.

I guess my point is: price and competition matter. But I did do my research, in both cases. In the early ’70’s I was in college studying photography and had purchased cameras and lenses from the same company almost 10 years earlier. I felt that if they were still in business all those years they would have been reputable. Do your research. That’s my warning and suggestion.