The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello everyone,

I was thinking long enough about buying a proper watch.
Thinking of Omega and Breitling, I found Breitling more unique, and the look is just fantastic. After reading lots of posts and reviews I just can't decide which watch would be better for me.

I do realize that there is a difference in design and price, but...

Blackbird is brand new watch, with caliber b44, which hasn't been used in many watches so far. Opposite to Superocean with b13, which is I believe one of the most used and tested and reliable caliber at the moment (correct me if I am wrong).

However, blackbird has more jewels (38), and as far as I know that makes the watch more complicated and unique as well (as long as all jewels are being used, not like 100 jewels watches where only 21 are in use).


What do you think? Is there anything else that I should be aware of before making a decision?

Maybe you can recommend something else?

The most important question.

Where can I try both of them, and buy one of them in UK, Lancashire county to be more specific, for a reasonable price?

Kind Regards,

M

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everything comes to those who wait...

Hi, first off - welcome aboard. Secondly I think you've made the right choice between Omega and Breitling. I have owned both and while Omega undoubtedly make very good and well priced watches, Breitling definitely has the edge in every area IMHO.

So on to your main questions - the B44 has actually been used in a number of watches (admittedly not as many as the B13), but it's certainly been around for a number of years. The B13 is often stated (by Breitling) as the most reliable movement in the range, which is not hard to believe since it is bascially a Valjoux 7750 which has been around for many many years. However I've not personally found one movement to be any less reliable than others. I'm sure others on here may have a different tale to tell, but as far as I'm conerned they are all pretty similar.

The number of jewels tends to indicate more complications and/or complexity, and yes all the jewels will be used in the movement. In a way it's a trade off between enjoying the additional complications and having few moving parts that cuould go wrong. When all said and done, the more moving parts there are, the more there is to potentially fail. However, if we were all concerned with that we'd all be buying quartz watches without even a date!!

At the end of the day it really boils down to which you prefer. Neither watch is inherantly more or less reliable than the other, and if you bbuy new from an AD you'll have a 2 year comprehensive warranty to fall back on should the worst happen.

In terms of where to buy, have a look on the Breitling website (www.breitling.com) for your nearest AD, and then go and try them on. I really suggest you try before you buy! Once you have coem to a decision you can either go the AD route (which I would recommend for your first Breitling purchase) or if you want to save a few quid have a look at reputable online dealers - prestigetime, interwatches, jomashop, etc. But be careful of import charges and the warranty situation. Please steer clear of eBay for your first Breitling! Hope this helps.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

you have to see the watch on your wrist...
it's all about taste as well...

both watches are more then fine at the inside so take the watch that you love the most
the watch that fits your personality the most ...
the watch thats speaks to you the most ...
....

(thats my idea)

Gentlemen,

thank you very much for quick and clear response.

You put some more light on me, that's something I was looking for, thank you.

@Oester: When I read that, it was more like poem, rather than what you think. I really liked that.

The only thing I am concerned about, is the guarantee. Why is it only 2 years?
Taking into consideration price and history of the company that surprises me the most.

Kind Regards,

M

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everything comes to those who wait...

Hello and welcome to the forum!

If it was me, I'd go for the Blackbird out of it's appearance and the feeling of it on my wrist - I have tried them both... I wouldn't be too concerned about different movements - they will satisfy your needs both of them. For a "limited warranty" of two years, my guess it is a result from the fine mechanichs in the movement. As Breitling (and many other brands too) suggests a service every second or third year, that's probably the time they feel comfortable with a guarantee before oils need to be changed and similar. However, as you will read from many people on here, the watch usually works excellent much longer than 2 years and people tend to service their watches when they either "think it is time" or when the watch isn't on it's COSC levels - usually after 5-7 years.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Happy Monday...

I really follow the advice of going to AD and feel both of them on my wrist, then I will decide.

I was looking for a proper watch for whole weekend, and I found many more interesting Wings

That's going to be very difficult choice for me, but as they say: you can't have everything (yet )

Regards,

M

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everything comes to those who wait...

huh, after explaining me a difference between buying watch in AD and from street seller, I figured out that I have not enough money to buy my watch...
God dammit, why everything is always so complicated?

My last hope is to buy used one, which I am working on at the moment.

Wish me luck.

regards,

M

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everything comes to those who wait...

You could always try one of the reputable on-line dealers if the UK AD's are too much. The recommended ones are - interwatches.com, jomashop.com, and prestigetime.com. Make sure you read up about what you will or will not get in terms of warranty and make sure you check the import duty situation, but even so you will definitely get a bargain compared to the good ol' UK AD prices. Just do your research before committing and you should be fine. You'll find reviews of those sites on this forum if you are interested....

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Driver8

Site Moderator

thanks for that!

what about import duty for used goods? Will I have to pay as well?

Regards,

M

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everything comes to those who wait...

Yes as far as I'm aware you do. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong please). Any import from outside the EU has to state on the outside what the thing is worth, and Customs charge you accordingly.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

that is just not reasonable...

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everything comes to those who wait...

Tell me about it. I buy quite a bit of stuff from the States (not Breitlings incidentally.... yet!) and the whole VAT thing for imports really bugs me. Handling charges? OK fine - someone has to handle it. Shipping charges? Yep no complaints from me. But VAT??? Why? Why penalise people for having a bit of initiative to buy outside of this overly expensive semi-3rd world country??? It irritates me.

By the way, as much as we hate unfair taxes, don't encourage a seller to misrepresent the value on any goods you might decide to buy. It can land them (and potentially you) in a whole heap of trouble if you get caught out. And if something happens to the package you'll only be covered insurance-wise for the stated amount.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

well, you have some experience in taxing then?

So lets say I pay for a used watch something about 3k in $$$

What the additional cost for duty tax will be?

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everything comes to those who wait...

You'll pay at least 17.5%, but you may have duty and other handling charges on top. It's varied for me slightly from purchase to purchase.

You won't pay anymore than about 20% all in.

So if we assume $2 : £1, on $3000 you'll pay anything between £262 and £300 just to get it into the country. Joy!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

It's retarded that European prices are higher than those here in the States, especially considering they are made in your back yard

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