The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Apparently the mods are a bit swamped, and there's a backlog of people waiting to be banned. Sergio's first on the list; Archie is second. I don't know who's third, but I think I'm fourth or fifth. So you're safe for a while.

The ladies one shown is really not too bad, it's not really too good but it's not as bad as the mans colt.

It is however quarter to four in the morning, I am post op, bleeding as my stitches are breaking so mine may be a rogue opinion.

_________________
Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Dude, didn't your doctor give you propofol in the convenient home-dosing syringe?

No just in theatre I'm afraid. (was remarked on)

_________________
Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Whether it has Breitling on the dial or not......I kinda like it! This is where I start spewing a lot of unneccessary & predictable diatribe: so i apologise in advance.

To keep a corporate design too traditional, limits the customer base & wider appeal - at the cost of alienating the once loyal. Jaguar cars never, ever appealed to me. Now the non traditional XF range does, in bucket loads.

Breitling may have got some people to do some market research some time ago to get a feel for what typical shoppers think about Breitling (and i dont mean the WIS's which are a small percentage of the market, I mean a person with good lifestyle and 'x' amount of disposable income who owns a luxury watch or two). I'm guessing it was something like this: (the sub $6000 market, in your typical AD)

Normally used by aviators
Also used by divers, rappers, sportsmen and general gangster types
perhaps worn by some celebrity actors, and also by various Mature professionals in every day jobs

Look a bit too chunky, tool-like and masculine. Dials are generally overcrowded, non textured and purposeful looking.
Designs have had the same outlook for at least 10 yrs (ie. Windrider)

Then you think of the other global names Rolex, Omega & Tag Heuer - who do they have as their brand ambassadors?

They tend to be young or mature, hip & trendy film stars, sportspersons & musicians. Celebrities that most people aspire to or respect in some form or another. You then want to wear what they wear etc. IF THEY/YOU CAN AFFORD IT

Who represents Breitling in this respect? I can think of a few, do i aspire to be like them? Not really, if I'm honest.

I'm 35, and of the people that I know of similar age (+/- 5 yrs), the majority are only interested in Rolex, Omega & TAG Heuer. I've had Breitlings of every type, except Bentley, and none have appealed to my social/business circles (young & old) like the TAGs or Omega's that I've had. What does that say to Breitling with their traditional lineage?

_________________
Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

Three years ago all I basically knew for watches were the mall brands and Tag, and after much online shopping it was Breitling's style I liked the most. So I'm not exactly old school but do tend to fall in line with a lot of the unfavorable opinions for the latest models. Maybe going with a more mainstream look might help ling sales in the short term, but that market share will probably keep getting divided more and more, and where does that leave them in the future. I guess that's when we'll see all the classics come back... a last effort to stay relevant. I was pretty loyal to Breitling, but now getting more familiar with other brands, the price increases, and new B watches I wouldn't buy for 1/3 of the price, should I buy another watch I can't see it being Breitling. (at least not a new one)

As for the poster getting razzed a little about his wife's watch... 3 years ago in my attempt to buy a real watch my choice was a 39mm (I have a 7.5" wrist) blue dialed diamond bezel Tag Aquracer quartz. I lost near half of my money on that thing, and rightfully so. I did however redeem myself a little with my next watch being a Blackbird. That said, if I liked the Tag I would have kept it because who cares what anyone else thinks. Actually the blue dial was awesome and if I could have made it 45m, and auto., I definitely would have kept it.

It's a fair point. I guess it will go how it goes. Breitling's efforts to remake their image and broaden their appeal will either work or they won't. Those of us who don't like the direction they're going can yell until we're blue in the face; Breitling obviously isn't listening to us. In the end, we vote with our wallets. If more wallets vote in favor of Breitling's direction than against it, I guess that's tough cheddar for the naysayers. Still, when I think of a luxury-product company producing downscale, generic models in an attempt to increase its market share and broaden its customer base, I think of the Cimarron. And we all know how that went.

I'm not sure if it's intentional by Breitling or not but I don't mind the brand strategy of offering up a consumer relevant down market option to try and build brand loyalty with a new segment. However, for the strategy to work that new segment has to actually like the watch (consumer relevant) and they have to enjoy owning it enough to want to purchase again in a higher teir. (Mercedes Benz C class for example...how many young C class buyers go on to buy an E or S class later in life?)

The big risk that Jacksonstone points out very well is diluting your brand and offending your base of upper end consumers. I think many of those hang our here. Time will tell on the new Colt but successful or not, it doesn't change the fact that companies need to listen to their channel and their end consumers. When you start thinking you know more about what your customers want than they do you're in big trouble! It sounds obvious but it happens to big companies all the time.

_________________
Collection is changing too quickly to keep up on...

The head honcho at Breitling was actually quoted in the last couple of years as saying, rather proudly, that Breitling conducts no market research. If I recall, his approach to marketing could basically be termed a "Field of Dreams" approach: if they make it, the customers will buy it. Some people were incredulous, thinking that was more posturing and gusto than truth, and that no company head would be so dense as to completely eschew research when making marketing decisions. I don't know either way, but given the direction Breitling is going, I have to wonder if he was being honest. And if it's true, I agree with you: it's a dangerous position to take.

This may be the funniest thing I have read on this site, it just got me in the right way. Thanks Jackson

_________________
--
sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic

Don't thank me. Thank that third martini I had just before I typed it.

Very important point I think (on occasions).

We are not the norm.

The normal Breitling wearer does not have two, three or more. They do not post on forum about watches or have mates they talk to about watches. From a marketing point of view Breitling does not have to care about our opinion (I know I work in the business).

If folk want to buy a rolex or a tag or a potato who cares, if it makes them happy. Damn I just realised how much watchporn is on my photobucket album.

_________________
Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

I would have taken a pic on the cruise, they had a 50% of sale.

_________________
End of Discussion.

Is Sergio = dhalem? I agree #1, if not then I would put him on the top of the list.

I think I'm #3.

_________________
End of Discussion.

No, I am Sergio. Dhalem is Dan. I don't think I am jeopardy of being banned right now. I've been quite for awhile unlike our friend Mr Jackson who has a propensity to comment at least a dozen times on every single freakin thread I've gotten to the point where I can't even read his comments any longer because of their frequency.

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