The Breitling Watch Source Forums

What do you guys think of Eleven James? (I did use the search function and only found one thread that mentioned the site at all).

For those of you that haven't heard of it (I just viewed the web site), it's basically a company that rents watches - for a minimum of $250 per month (and a max of $1,600 or so), you can rent watches for up to 2 months at a time, and then swap out for another. At the lower end, it appears as though you can rent Rolex, Breitling, IWC, JLC, Cartier - type models. And at the higher end you're looking at Patek, VC, AP etc. Apparently watches are serviced between visits, and the company is apparently targeting those that are wealthy, but not too wealthy, and want to wear or try out these watches without paying to own them individually.

For me it appears to be expensive, even at the basic level; 18 months to two years at $250 per month and you could pretty much buy a lot of the options in that category, but what an intriguing concept, and probably a really good way to 'own' watches for a short time that you may never be able to purchase. Good variety for those that are bored easily also.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

It's an interesting model, and they have been getting some press recently. It's not for me, but I can see it appealing to people who are frequent flippers as long as the selection is broad enough.

Original idea but I should imagine they have an extremely niche market appeal.

I'm not sure what the minimum term of membership is : it says you keep watches for 2 months, but seems to imply a 12 month membership, so as you say Tim, 12 months at a min of $250 a month is a good start to actually owning a fairly nice watch. So that effectively rules out the "less wealthy", and I can't imagine the super-wealthy bothering with "renting" watches when they would just buy them. So that leaves the vaguely well off who know enough about watches to justify a min of $250 a month to rent one, but don't really want to buy one. Hmmmm.....

Personally I think it'd annoy me having my hands on an extremely expensive watch only to have to hand it back in a couple of months, knowing that I'd never own it!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

There was a time when my buying and selling of watches (rarely a non-profit and almost never a for-profit enterprise) was such that this seemed like an interesting idea. Since life has me slowed down a bit in that regard, not for me. The one issue which occurs to me is maintaining the condition of the pieces. After all, the old saying goes, nothing handles better or drives faster than a rental car. I'm sure there are charges for damage and such to the offender. Still, the type of people who would do this, as I, are likely little fussy about condition. Interesting to see how this works.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

According to his signature, isn't that what 'mserge' participates in .

"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

I was thinking of Sergio when I typed my last line

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Not my cup of tea - this removes the emotional aspect of collecting, which is the only reason I'd spend four figures per year on watches (averaged out). It makes perfect sense for fashion-first and image-conscious individuals.

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that dude has had quite a few pieces

Its like car rental for Astons and Ferrari. If you can't afford it , then rent! I don't think you would turn up to a party and admit that the royal oak on your wrist is a rental so it's purely for those who dream but without the cash. I wonder how they judge scratches and dings and who pays for the repairs?

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Jim

"You have Control".

Id also like to know that, and what happens if someone returns the watch with a fake movement or watch. I don't think I would want to have watches I rent it would be embarrassing when someone asked wheres your watch gone. Id rather save up and but it out right.

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Rolex GMT 2
Breitling for Bentley GT Racing
Ball World Time Diver
Rolex precision oysterdate
Breitling chronometre bi metal
Omega seamaster professional chronometer
Ball fireman
Rolex datejust diamond bezel
Rolex Explorer 39mm
Omega James bond 50th

I would do it if I were thinking about dropping 50 grand or more on a timepiece, try on a few pieces and wear them for a while before making a final decision. Pretty cool idea.