Buying my first Breitling...shouldnt be this hard.

[indybreitling]

So I was all set to purchase a pre-owned estate Breiting from my local AD. Called the salesman to let him know I was coming and by the time I got there (1 hour later) he had sold it to someone else. Safe to say I was upset, I wrote the owner a email explaining my situation and received a phone call the next day from both the sales manager and the general manager. Unfortunately my budget is limited, say the $3000 to $3500 end of limited. Which was great for the 1 year old Skyracer I wanted. Now im facing a $5500 price tag for the same watch. The GM has offered me 30% off because of the mistake. Is this worth taking? Because of the mistake ive had time to research Breitling alittle bit more to. As this is my first high end watch should I run on the conservative side of things and purchase the SuperOcean Steelfish for say around the $2200 range, or be on the high end of my budget and get the Chronomat evolution or the skyracer? (those are my top choices.)

Sorry this is so long, I put my main questions in italic. Any comparison notes you could give me between the models would be great also, such as resale on either or just which is more sought after.

[no_self_control]

"mistake" - i don't think so. my advice is keep looking for what you want at the price you can afford.

[AAH]

Buy what you want or you will end up second guessing yourself.. Then you will buy it anyway....

[EJC]

Buy what you want or you will end up second guessing yourself.. Then you will buy it anyway....


If you can get what you want, even if he has to order it, take the 30% discount. They are hard to come by, if not impossible these days.

Sounds like the owner is trying to make amends.

You can also order/get a watch on a bracelet and ask him to throw in a strap, Breitling leaves them samples so it is something else you can play with. This also in effect gives you 2 watches for the price of one

Good luck

[gg4411]

Defitnitly get it!!! It is brand new and almost the same price as the used version. GET IT WHILE YOU CAN!!!

[EJC]

Defitnitly get it!!! It is brand new and almost the same price as the used version. GET IT WHILE YOU CAN!!!


Also remember he new one will have a 2 year warranty. A used one won't.

[ffeelliixx]

If you plan on using the chronograph at all, I would highly recommend the Skyracer. The chronograph totalizer and a second minute hand on the main dial are wonderful. The chronograph has proven more reliable and easier to read than my 7750-based movements' chronos. The Skyracer also has a very bold and unique look and is less common than the other models you mentioned.

On the other hand, if you're short on cash, and like the Steelfish's styling almost as much as the Skyracer's, it may serve as a good alternative. One difference other than the obvious styling differences is that the Steelfish's bracelet is brushed and the Skyracer's is polished.

-FLX


http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k133/tblf66/IMG_6193pb.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k133/tblf66/IMG_6215pb.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k133/tblf66/IMG_6206pb.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k133/tblf66/IMG_6333pb.jpg

[indybreitling]

Thanks for the advice guys, Im going back to the AD on monday and will speak with the GM again. The pictures of the skyracer make me realize just how much I like that watch over the others. I also like the fact that it seems more unique then the others. Also a great idea with the strap. He said he would kick in a wooden watch box with the automatic winder if I purchased a watch there also, so with that offer I dont know if he'd do the strap also, but its worht a shot.

Tyler

[p3l3r]

well try to get more discount....it is possible.

[EJC]

Thanks for the advice guys, Im going back to the AD on monday and will speak with the GM again. The pictures of the skyracer make me realize just how much I like that watch over the others. I also like the fact that it seems more unique then the others. Also a great idea with the strap. He said he would kick in a wooden watch box with the automatic winder if I purchased a watch there also, so with that offer I dont know if he'd do the strap also, but its worht a shot.

Tyler

The winder is a nice little perk

[EJC]

Thanks for the advice guys, Im going back to the AD on monday and will speak with the GM again. The pictures of the skyracer make me realize just how much I like that watch over the others. I also like the fact that it seems more unique then the others. Also a great idea with the strap. He said he would kick in a wooden watch box with the automatic winder if I purchased a watch there also, so with that offer I dont know if he'd do the strap also, but its worht a shot.

Tyler

BTW, welcome to the art of the deal.

[RJRJRJ]

Definitely get the skyracer. The steelfish is a fine watch, but its your second choice. If you get it, you will keep dreaming about your first choice.

[g-star]

Definitely get the skyracer. The steelfish is a fine watch, but its your second choice. If you get it, you will keep dreaming about your first choice.

I agree with RJRJRJ. You will regret not getting your first choice. Life is too short for second choices. I would see about getting a 40% discount rather than the winder. That's my .02.

Cheers.

[Alex**]

40% you can ask but i think that would put it at almost cost for the ad.

and without meaning any disrespect they could look at it from the pov that given your tight budget on this one its not like youlll be a high turnover customer but like i said you can ask.

i think 30% and a free winder is a pretty good deal well actually a bloody good deal

[EJC]

40% you can ask but i think that would put it at almost cost for the ad.

and without meaning any disrespect they could look at it from the pov that given your tight budget on this one its not like youlll be a high turnover customer but like i said you can ask.

i think 30% and a free winder is a pretty good deal well actually a bloody good deal

You stand a better chance of the strap being thrown in than getting 40%

Dealer margins have been cut in the last few years. We used to be able to push for 30-35% discounts, but they don't happen much anymore (perhaps on a closeout that has been sitting around forever)

[indybreitling]

Ill go take a look tomorrow when they open up, Im pretty happy about the 30% and the watch winder. I will ask about the strap though because that is something I wanted anyway. Its to bad I just didnt get the one I went there for, they wouldnt have to loose so much margin on a new one and wouldnt have to try and save face so much. To bad they are the only game within 3 hours of where I live. I thought about authenticwatches.com, but im still alittle questionable about there warranty. Thanks for the advice on which watch to go for, Im 90% sure ill be getting the skyracer I wanted tomorrow.

Tyler

[EvilGringo]

A watch winder? Thats weak IMO. Get a rubber strap or something you can get use out of. Not a freakin winder... Margins in the winder are probably around 60% thats why he went with that. Also IMO if you have to have a winder youre not wearing your watch enough... ;-)

Get the watch you want, dont settle because every time you look at it you will be a little disappointed...

[ffeelliixx]

Thanks for the advice on which watch to go for, Im 90% sure ill be getting the skyracer I wanted tomorrow.

Tyler

Post pics when you get it!

-FLX

[MMRacing]

Doesn't that seem like a lot of money for a SkyRacer?? I paid 2900 for a brand new B-2 a year ago and then this year I paid $3100 for the Airwolf.

By the way I will sell you my B-2 for significantly less then $3000.

http://mm-racing.com/ian/DSC_0113.JPG (http://mm-racing.com/ian/DSC_0113.JPG)

[RJRJRJ]

Doesn't that seem like a lot of money for a SkyRacer?? I paid 2900 for a brand new B-2 a year ago and then this year I paid $3100 for the Airwolf.


$5605 is the msrp for the skyracer. A lot of people think it may be overpriced, but, it is what it is. 30% off is a great deal though.

[indybreitling]

Well, made it over to the AD today. Everything went much smoother. Ended up after looking at the different models and trying all of them on I liked the chronomat evolution better. The deciding factor was the bracelet. Seemed alittle nicer than the one on the skyracer. I didnt however get the bracelet yet, I liked the more casual look of the leather strap with the deployment clasp. The bracelet will be a nice gift for my wife to get me somewhere down the road.

So hopefully if it is instock at BUSA I will have my silver faced brown leather straped chronomat evolution in 3-4 days. I will post pics as soon as its in. Thanks for all the advice and comments!

Tyler

[O2AFAC67]

Well, made it over to the AD today. Everything went much smoother. Ended up after looking at the different models and trying all of them on I liked the chronomat evolution better. The deciding factor was the bracelet. Seemed alittle nicer than the one on the skyracer. I didnt however get the bracelet yet, I liked the more casual look of the leather strap with the deployment clasp. The bracelet will be a nice gift for my wife to get me somewhere down the road.

So hopefully if it is instock at BUSA I will have my silver faced brown leather straped chronomat evolution in 3-4 days. I will post pics as soon as its in. Thanks for all the advice and comments!

TylerHi, Tyler. Good news indeed. Congratulations and wear it in good health! I'm certain you will LOVE the Evo. Absolutely wonderful piece for sure. I certainly enjoy mine as much and more than the others in the collection. :-! BTW, I bought my Evo brand new a year ago with the bracelet and a croco strap. I had the bracelet on it for part of that time but replaced it with the UTC specific bracelet instead. The essentially brand new bracelet is sitting in my desk drawer. You are welcome to buy it from me whenever your wife is ready for it at a heck of a lot less than the $1100 list price even discounted by an AD. Just let me know... :-)
Cheers,
Ron

[RJRJRJ]

We'll have to add you to the ridiculously long list of people going in to the store knowing exactly what they want, and ending up with something else they found while there. Congrats, and I cant wait to see the pics. Your color combo is pretty unique.

Well, made it over to the AD today. Everything went much smoother. Ended up after looking at the different models and trying all of them on I liked the chronomat evolution better. The deciding factor was the bracelet. Seemed alittle nicer than the one on the skyracer. I didnt however get the bracelet yet, I liked the more casual look of the leather strap with the deployment clasp. The bracelet will be a nice gift for my wife to get me somewhere down the road.

So hopefully if it is instock at BUSA I will have my silver faced brown leather straped chronomat evolution in 3-4 days. I will post pics as soon as its in. Thanks for all the advice and comments!

Tyler

[omegaseamaster]

get the chronomat evolution!

[indybreitling]

Yep, thats the one im getting. The sales lady that took over for the other salesman called me last week to inform me that Busa did have it in stock, and that it should be ready for me to pick it up monday or tuesday.

[spogehead]

Yep, thats the one im getting. The sales lady that took over for the other salesman called me last week to inform me that Busa did have it in stock, and that it should be ready for me to pick it up monday or tuesday.

Great choice, I've had mine for around a month now and wear it on both bracelet and strap, prefer it on the bracelet but the strap is a nice alternative.

Some pics to tide you over.... ;-)

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/spogehead/EVO/IMG_17581024x768.jpg
Croc + deployment

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/spogehead/EVO/IMG_18431024x768.jpg

Calf + tang

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/spogehead/EVO/IMG_1837.jpg


Tell your wife to get saving though those bracelets in the UK run out at £750, and last time I checked they were $1300+ in the US....... or of course take Ron up on his offer, sounds like a deal could be had?

[heb]

Hello,

It's Breitling's flagship model and versions of it will be around forever, or at least as long as Breitling is. It also has a very reliable chronograph movement.

The Skyracer is a typical Breitling stretch, featuring a modular movement which has really been kluged together with more hands and various features than prudence would allow. It will be troublesome and will soon be deep sixed by the company, at least that's my prediction based on other similar models in the recent past. The "Twin Sixty" comes immediately to mind.

The Steelfish is ok I guess, but in definitly no substitute for a Breitling chronograph if that's what you have your heart set on.

Goodluck with your choice,
heb

[AAH]

Great Choice and I am looking forward to the pics!!!!:-!

[SadikP]

Thats a nice watch.

I really wanted the Chronomat Evo, but instead I ended up getting the Chrono Cockpit.
The Evo is too large for my wrist

[Nostalgic]

Ryan,

Great pics! Do you happen to know the reference number of your watch?

Is it A156 E19 or is it A156 G69?

Thanks!

[spogehead]

Ryan,

Great pics! Do you happen to know the reference number of your watch?

Is it A156 E19 or is it A156 G69?

Thanks!

Thanks, not sure....... all it says on the card is A13356. :think:

[Nostalgic]

Ok, thanks for trying though.

I'm just confused about why the white dial with silver subs and the silver dial look the same in pics...

Is that silver dialed one darker in real life with subs that contrast by looking lighter?

[spogehead]

Ok, thanks for trying though.

I'm just confused about why the white dial with silver subs and the silver dial look the same in pics...

Is that silver dialed one darker in real life with subs that contrast by looking lighter?

Mine is all silver the other option is MOP and it's around £4-500 dearer.

The subs on my silver are the same colour with a slightly different finish which helps them stand out.

[ffeelliixx]

Hello,

It's Breitling's flagship model and versions of it will be around forever, or at least as long as Breitling is. It also has a very reliable chronograph movement.

The Skyracer... will be troublesome and will soon be deep sixed by the company...

I'll have to respectfully disagree with your theory. I'd be curious to know your personal experience with the respective movements as well as the frequency of your chronograph use. I have owned four 7750-7753 based movements, and the chrono hour and minute hands of those movements tend to lose track of one another when timing longer events. I base my assessments on personal experience as a daily chronograph user.

Case in point, 7753 based movement:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k133/tblf66/IMG_7933pb.jpg

Do you want to tell me how much time has passed on the chrono? The 7750 movements tend to give these types of irreconcilable readings from time to time. My 7750 Hamilton and Swiss Army have done the exact same thing; although, not quite to the same extreme as pictured above. For example, your minute hand may be pointed at "25" or so, and the hour hand will already be past the marker when it should be slightly ahead of the marker. That is pretty disconcerting if you are actually relying on the chrono reading for something important. You literally are left making an educated guess as to the elapsed time.

The hour and minute hand on my Skyracer are not only more legible, but the Skyracer chrono always gives readings that make sense. The hour hand doesn't advance ahead of the minute hand or vice versa.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k133/tblf66/IMG_6227pb.jpg

I own a Skyracer and a Datora. The Skyracer has been rock solid, and I always know how much time has passed with the chrono. The chrono readings of my 7753 Datora and my other 7750 based watches have proven unreliable, and sometimes it's a guessing game with the chrono readings.

That's my opinion, and it's based on my first-hand experience, not conjecture.

-FLX