The Breitling Watch Source Forums

is it better to buy from an authorized dealer as appose to buying from the "grey market" (ashford jomashop etc). if so why? in other words whats the pros and cons of either one (aside for prices)

Lots of threads on this. Aside from prices I'm not sure that there is any benefit from going grey market. 99% will not offer a Breitling factory warranty, and unless their in house warranty is for replacement (and only Costco offers that as far as I know) it's worthless because they don't have access to Breitling parts.

Even for pricing, if you live in a market with a reasonable AD network the argument for grey market is pretty thin as ADs will come close to grey market, and at times mathc or beat.

well my question iguess is like buying a zenith for example, the manufacture warranty "An international guarantee nonetheless covers and potential manufacturing flaws for a period of two years as of the date of purchase. " isnt worth the 2000 dollars that youd be paying at a retailer. (i agree that a patek or rolex or breitling, wouldnt be worht it cause the warranty is much better)

If you have to pay $2,000 more then you need a new AD (unless it is a hugely high end Zenith), the difference shouldn't be that bad. As for whether a Zenith warranty is worth it, in my personal experience it is extremely valuable, I have made more claims on Zenith warranty than the number of Zenith watches that I own!

My experience has been that the risk has been very well worth it, to not buy from an AD. I have calculated that risk and been rewarded on 2 occasions. I bought from an AD once and found myself isolated when it came to repairs. I decided then, that on an individual basis, there was no real difference only perceptions. Who dares may well win. But be very careful.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".