Cheapest place for watches?
Join Date: Nov 2000
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The funny thing about aviation watches today is that nobody seems to care about the quality of the mechanical movement anymore. That very much used to be the only determinating factor for accuracy and prestige. Remember the REAL "Old Navitimer" or the OLD Space-Speedmasters or the famous Glashütte aviator's watches and such.
Today's mechanical watches very often use the very same Valjoux-7750 (and derivatives) standard movement. Not bad but nothing special. The brand is just a cover around the very same content. Many watch companies are therefore being called "Completteur" (using ready made parts only and just selling some expensive image). Maybe the Rhodina/Tutima/Sinn and such watches using the Lemania 5100 movement and the better USSR-Poljots using the original old swiss tools can be considered todays closest thing to "real" aviation watches. Whatever that is.
Today's mechanical watches very often use the very same Valjoux-7750 (and derivatives) standard movement. Not bad but nothing special. The brand is just a cover around the very same content. Many watch companies are therefore being called "Completteur" (using ready made parts only and just selling some expensive image). Maybe the Rhodina/Tutima/Sinn and such watches using the Lemania 5100 movement and the better USSR-Poljots using the original old swiss tools can be considered todays closest thing to "real" aviation watches. Whatever that is.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Hello
I didnt check the price of my Breitling in the DDF, however with the exception of booze I usually find I can get things cheaper around Dubai, for instance electrical goods are usually lower priced in Deira City Centres Hypermarket.
Howski
I didnt check the price of my Breitling in the DDF, however with the exception of booze I usually find I can get things cheaper around Dubai, for instance electrical goods are usually lower priced in Deira City Centres Hypermarket.
Howski
Heliport:
I bought my Aerospace in Iceland (Airport duty free) and saved around one third of the UK price. The Aerospace has recently been hiked to £1,400 here, I paid just on £800 in Iceland
I bought my Aerospace in Iceland (Airport duty free) and saved around one third of the UK price. The Aerospace has recently been hiked to £1,400 here, I paid just on £800 in Iceland
Join Date: Aug 2001
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BEagle
Did you not have to use a local agent then? I thought you can't deal direct with Breitling?
Got the address you used?
I then took my watch to Breitling UK, they did the approved battery change and test....... The watch was returned to me within the quoted time by courier - excellent service indeed!
Got the address you used?
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Yes, I'd like to know BEagle's secret.
Chez fob we have an expression "If you have to ask the price you can't afford it"
If the cost of authorised, properly done battery replacement (£45 taking four weeks at the moment), and everthing else that that job includes, deters you, you probably shouldn't have a watch with a four-figure UK value.
However, I think the three months costing £250 for a full service is ludicrous. I can't imagine that Breitling are really targetting the Professional Aviation market if they need that long. Surely professional aviators buy the watch because they want it for the job.
Perhaps Breitling think that the real pro aviators have two. Or maybe they are targetting the poseur market to which I am now sadly relegated.
My Aerospace (same as BEagle's from the sound of it) lasted a good three years on its first battery. I almost never used the alarm or the audio time signal. Remember you can cancel the audio time signal with a second press of the button if you accidentally trigger it.
That's not bad for a watch that lost two seconds in the two years since I last set it.
Chez fob we have an expression "If you have to ask the price you can't afford it"
If the cost of authorised, properly done battery replacement (£45 taking four weeks at the moment), and everthing else that that job includes, deters you, you probably shouldn't have a watch with a four-figure UK value.
However, I think the three months costing £250 for a full service is ludicrous. I can't imagine that Breitling are really targetting the Professional Aviation market if they need that long. Surely professional aviators buy the watch because they want it for the job.
Perhaps Breitling think that the real pro aviators have two. Or maybe they are targetting the poseur market to which I am now sadly relegated.
My Aerospace (same as BEagle's from the sound of it) lasted a good three years on its first battery. I almost never used the alarm or the audio time signal. Remember you can cancel the audio time signal with a second press of the button if you accidentally trigger it.
That's not bad for a watch that lost two seconds in the two years since I last set it.
Fascinating insight into the basics of timepiece selection and the application of logic thereto.
What is required? - an ACCURATE indication of time; there is NOTHING as accurate in the world of timekeeping as the Caesium crystal controlled radio time output (half a second in a million years - if anyone is ambitious enough to test it
)
What appears to be the problem with these over-hyped products of the Breitling factory? - Batteries and the necessity to change them. So the answer would appear to be the non-battery watch; several manufacturers produce them - Seiko, Citizen et al.
Finally, durability? - So, how about a watch made from ceramic - (case and bracelet) with a sapphire crystal? Very nearly indestructible and certainly impervious to the shocks and abrasions induced by even the most careless handling.
So, we have the logical answer (yes, such a watch is available and at less than half the price of even the duty-free Breitling).
A solar-powered, (four months power reserve), ceramic, radio-controlled wrist-watch which cannot be equalled for accuracy.
Will the pilot world rush to buy such an artifact? I doubt it. Methinks Fobotcso is close to the mark with his reference to the poseur market.
By the way, don't change your habits chaps - in my present part-time occupation, we do quite nicely, thank you, in the battery change business - additionally, when I can eventually afford to buy mine I prefer to be one of a few logical thinkers than one of the fashion-conscious herd.
What is required? - an ACCURATE indication of time; there is NOTHING as accurate in the world of timekeeping as the Caesium crystal controlled radio time output (half a second in a million years - if anyone is ambitious enough to test it
)What appears to be the problem with these over-hyped products of the Breitling factory? - Batteries and the necessity to change them. So the answer would appear to be the non-battery watch; several manufacturers produce them - Seiko, Citizen et al.
Finally, durability? - So, how about a watch made from ceramic - (case and bracelet) with a sapphire crystal? Very nearly indestructible and certainly impervious to the shocks and abrasions induced by even the most careless handling.
So, we have the logical answer (yes, such a watch is available and at less than half the price of even the duty-free Breitling).
A solar-powered, (four months power reserve), ceramic, radio-controlled wrist-watch which cannot be equalled for accuracy.
Will the pilot world rush to buy such an artifact? I doubt it. Methinks Fobotcso is close to the mark with his reference to the poseur market.
By the way, don't change your habits chaps - in my present part-time occupation, we do quite nicely, thank you, in the battery change business - additionally, when I can eventually afford to buy mine I prefer to be one of a few logical thinkers than one of the fashion-conscious herd.
Join Date: May 2001
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Now now Jack, don't get nasty. I have a Breitling too, but its not my only watch. After all, the girlies are allowed lots of fancy jewllery so why can't blokes have a few nice watches (I'm not into bangles and earrings meself).
So Jack, what is the name of that super dooper watch you speak of? I think I want one.
So Jack, what is the name of that super dooper watch you speak of? I think I want one.
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Cheapest place for watches?
I'd like to buy a Breitling Aerospace for my son who's just about to get his ATPL.
I know some of you think they're a waste of money but many others, including my son, don't and I'd like to get him one to celebrate. Hopefully it will last his career.
I've seen them on the internet for $1600 (US).
Is this a good deal?
If not, can somebody please tell me the cheapest place? I travel a reasonable amount, as do colleagues, so foreign duty free is a possibility.
Any other comments on the best model Aerospace would also be appreciated. I don't want to spoil the surprise by asking my son.
Many thanks in advance.
I know some of you think they're a waste of money but many others, including my son, don't and I'd like to get him one to celebrate. Hopefully it will last his career.
I've seen them on the internet for $1600 (US).
Is this a good deal?
If not, can somebody please tell me the cheapest place? I travel a reasonable amount, as do colleagues, so foreign duty free is a possibility.
Any other comments on the best model Aerospace would also be appreciated. I don't want to spoil the surprise by asking my son.
Many thanks in advance.
Join Date: Apr 2001
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My experience was similar in that mine played up after a cheap and cheerful battery change. A new expensive battery and Breiting service fixed the problem. The service centre said that the battery size was slightly different.
Has anyone else had problems with the LCD display going all gold and flakey below -10C? My silly fault for working in such cold places I suppose, but a bit disappointing for such a (supposedly) quality product!
Has anyone else had problems with the LCD display going all gold and flakey below -10C? My silly fault for working in such cold places I suppose, but a bit disappointing for such a (supposedly) quality product!
Join Date: Nov 2001
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I would go for the B-1. About £1000 and more the watch than just the aerospace. You can read the LCD at night and has more features.
Two places in Riyadh one is in The Kuwati suk and the other is on Sitteen St (not sure of the spelling there). Get at least 15% of the price on the label and ask for a Breitling bag or aeroplane for good measure
Two places in Riyadh one is in The Kuwati suk and the other is on Sitteen St (not sure of the spelling there). Get at least 15% of the price on the label and ask for a Breitling bag or aeroplane for good measure
Join Date: Sep 1999
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I hadn’t seen Saudipc9's answer before i checked this out, but i found two versions of the Breitling Aerospace watch this morning in the Heraa Souk, Jeddah.
The cheaper version was $1290 and had a titanium strap interlaced with gold.
The other version was $1387 and had a more solid titanium strap. I don’t know the exact model numbers.
Good Luck.
Mutt.
The cheaper version was $1290 and had a titanium strap interlaced with gold.
The other version was $1387 and had a more solid titanium strap. I don’t know the exact model numbers.
Good Luck.
Mutt.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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So Jack, what is the name of that super dooper watch you speak of? I think I want one.
Junghans in German only, unfortunately.
All but indestructible - mine is 4 years old and in pristine condition - but see my earlier comments regarding servicing...
m.