Hi all, first time poster, long time lurker here!
I've got a few gens and a handful of reps that I sourced from TDs recommended on RWI (Trusty, Jtime), and I am looking to add a Breitling to my collection.
After extensive searches of TD sites and emails back and forth regarding availability - I'm stuck.
The two models I am after are either an Avenger 43 (3 hander) on bracelet or the new Superocean 42mm on bracelet.
I can't help but notice there is a distinct lack of good quality Breitlings available in general, since GF went off the map, save for a handful of select models.
As I see it, the only SO III options on bracelet are 44mm, which after some debating I think will just be too large for me.
Even then, most TDs only list the TF models, which don't seem as high quality as other factories.
Steve @ The One Watches has a 44mm SO on bracelet, from a mystery factory (I've seen suggestions this may be ORF? But not sure).
The 42mm would be perfect, but for some reason the 42mm models aren't available on bracelet, only rubber on TD sites.
There also seems to be quite a bit of debate as to whether a 42mm SO rep even exists, with many purchasers receiving 44mm models on delivery.
As for the Avenger, again, very few options on the table, with the most highly regarded being GF (NWBIG?) which are non existent, save for M2M sales.
This only leaves TF, which seem to be fairly low ranking in terms of quality - not to mention fairly major flaws like the wrong model number on the caseback.
So I guess what I'd like to know from those with a bit of insider knowledge is;
A) Is GF actually producing watches/or will they be available any time soon? (I've read they are, but yet to find a TD that has any)
B) Why aren't some of the more popular, higher quality factories doing Breitlings? (ie ZF/VSF etc)
C) Why is there so few options available on the newer Breitling models in general?
Is it simply lack of demand for Breitlings in general? I know some could argue that at their price point, gens aren't out of reach for many, therefore it's not worth it - but there are plenty of factories doing reps of much cheaper watches (Tudor, Longines, Tag Heuer) which are arguably even more obtainable in gen. These also seem to be available fairly quickly from launch of gen models. ZF are fairly hot at getting new models out in rep form from launch, and at decent quality.
Appreciate any thoughts/opinions/insider info, thanks for reading!
I've got a few gens and a handful of reps that I sourced from TDs recommended on RWI (Trusty, Jtime), and I am looking to add a Breitling to my collection.
After extensive searches of TD sites and emails back and forth regarding availability - I'm stuck.
The two models I am after are either an Avenger 43 (3 hander) on bracelet or the new Superocean 42mm on bracelet.
I can't help but notice there is a distinct lack of good quality Breitlings available in general, since GF went off the map, save for a handful of select models.
As I see it, the only SO III options on bracelet are 44mm, which after some debating I think will just be too large for me.
Even then, most TDs only list the TF models, which don't seem as high quality as other factories.
Steve @ The One Watches has a 44mm SO on bracelet, from a mystery factory (I've seen suggestions this may be ORF? But not sure).
The 42mm would be perfect, but for some reason the 42mm models aren't available on bracelet, only rubber on TD sites.
There also seems to be quite a bit of debate as to whether a 42mm SO rep even exists, with many purchasers receiving 44mm models on delivery.
As for the Avenger, again, very few options on the table, with the most highly regarded being GF (NWBIG?) which are non existent, save for M2M sales.
This only leaves TF, which seem to be fairly low ranking in terms of quality - not to mention fairly major flaws like the wrong model number on the caseback.
So I guess what I'd like to know from those with a bit of insider knowledge is;
A) Is GF actually producing watches/or will they be available any time soon? (I've read they are, but yet to find a TD that has any)
B) Why aren't some of the more popular, higher quality factories doing Breitlings? (ie ZF/VSF etc)
C) Why is there so few options available on the newer Breitling models in general?
Is it simply lack of demand for Breitlings in general? I know some could argue that at their price point, gens aren't out of reach for many, therefore it's not worth it - but there are plenty of factories doing reps of much cheaper watches (Tudor, Longines, Tag Heuer) which are arguably even more obtainable in gen. These also seem to be available fairly quickly from launch of gen models. ZF are fairly hot at getting new models out in rep form from launch, and at decent quality.
Appreciate any thoughts/opinions/insider info, thanks for reading!
