As if it wasn’t possible to spend enough on a bike, coaching, nutrition, computers, travel, race registration, Garmin watches, bike accessories, leave it to Breitling and Ironman to come up with a way to drop $3500 on a quartz watch with fewer functions than a $50 Casio as yet another means of “commemorating your Ironman finish.” Frankly, I am shocked they don’t have faces/finishes for each race…and there will certainly be a limited Kona Edition in the offing shortly…with an appropriately elevated price tag.
I can just picture the conversation:
SO: “So lemme get this straight, you spent $15,000 on a triathlon bike, $3000 in standard entry fees, $6000 in travel costs, $3000 in coaching costs, $5000 in physical therapy/medical costs from crashes, $1000 on Garmin meters and watches, and now you’re “commemorating” this by buying a quartz watch primarily marketed at pilots and special operators but that has the M dot on it for $3500?”
Triathlete: “Yes.”
SO: “But did you KQ?”
Triathlete: “Ummm”
In all honesty, I note this as a guy who has several overpriced Swiss watches (including some Breitlings), a bunch of bikes, has spent a small fortune on racing and coaching and doesn’t have a prayer of getting to Kona. If nothing else, you have to salute Ironman and Breitling’s collective chutzpah. If I were a betting man, I would suspect we’ll be seeing these on Drop or other luxury discount liquidator sites within the year.
this is their second bite off this apple and last time it worked out well.
not my cup of tea but I think it is pretty cool and I am never going to complain about outside money coming into the sport.
They gave one to Chris Nikic if that means anything to you…
Breitling is superb at marketing…I have to give them that. I have never seen the rationale of purchasing a quartz watch for that much money.
As if it wasn’t possible to spend enough on a bike, coaching, nutrition, computers, travel, race registration, Garmin watches, bike accessories, leave it to Breitling and Ironman to come up with a way to drop $3500 on a quartz watch with fewer functions than a $50 Casio as yet another means of “commemorating your Ironman finish.” Frankly, I am shocked they don’t have faces/finishes for each race…and there will certainly be a limited Kona Edition in the offing shortly…with an appropriately elevated price tag.
I can just picture the conversation:
SO: “So lemme get this straight, you spent $15,000 on a triathlon bike, $3000 in standard entry fees, $6000 in travel costs, $3000 in coaching costs, $5000 in physical therapy/medical costs from crashes, $1000 on Garmin meters and watches, and now you’re “commemorating” this by buying a quartz watch primarily marketed at pilots and special operators but that has the M dot on it for $3500?”
Triathlete: “Yes.”
SO: “But did you KQ?”
Triathlete: “Ummm”
In all honesty, I note this as a guy who has several overpriced Swiss watches (including some Breitlings), a bunch of bikes, has spent a small fortune on racing and coaching and doesn’t have a prayer of getting to Kona. If nothing else, you have to salute Ironman and Breitling’s collective chutzpah. If I were a betting man, I would suspect we’ll be seeing these on Drop or other luxury discount liquidator sites within the year.
I think you are GROSSLY overestimating how much other people care about your hobby. If you like the watch, buy it. No one cares.
Breitling is superb at marketing…I have to give them that. I have never seen the rationale of purchasing a quartz watch for that much money.
Then buy the automatic version for sailors.
High end watches are simply a means of projecting status and wealth. The world is filled with 26 year olds rushing to buy their first Rolex or Omega so they can let all the eligible young ladies know they have some disposable wealth. It’s always amusing to hear watch connoisseurs try to parrot the talking points about the craftsmanship and importance of their timepieces.
A $10,000 bike actually has some practical value. Whether you measure its relative benefits over a $4000 bike in seconds or minutes, you can at least place a value on that.
High end watches actually have less practical value than an Apple watch or Garmin 945.
But to each their own.
The value of Scarcity is one of the hardest things to quantify. It does exist however.
Which hobby? Watches or triathlon? I’ve spent a ton on both. There are watches worth a lot of money…the Breitling Ironman ain’t one of them. Unless there’s value in purchasing something with a fancy finish in a “limited edition” limited only by marketing directors.
Which hobby? Watches or triathlon? I’ve spent a ton on both. There are watches worth a lot of money…the Breitling Ironman ain’t one of them. Unless there’s value in purchasing something with a fancy finish in a “limited edition” limited only by marketing directors.
Its worth a lot if it means something to you. Again, no one else is going to care what you spent on it.
High end watches are simply a means of projecting status and wealth. The world is filled with 26 year olds rushing to buy their first Rolex or Omega so they can let all the eligible young ladies know they have some disposable wealth. It’s always amusing to hear watch connoisseurs try to parrot the talking points about the craftsmanship and importance of their timepieces.
A $10,000 bike actually has some practical value. Whether you measure its relative benefits over a $4000 bike in seconds or minutes, you can at least place a value on that.
High end watches actually have less practical value than an Apple watch or Garmin 945.
But to each their own.
Likely why I’ll never own an insanely priced piece of jewelry that tells the time… that I can get on my phone.
I think all the watch companies are struggling because of Garmin and Apple watches. I for one always lusted for a Breitling, Omega or Bell & Ross, but no longer - I am content with my Garmin Fenix 6 both in terms of everyday looks and function. And I am surely not alone here
Plus I see plenty of other folks who might be wearing a Rolex or similar but are instead wearing an Apple watch.
I didn’t realize there were quartz watches that cost so much. I’d think anyone looking to spend so much on a watch would want a real movement in there.
I think all the watch companies are struggling because if Garmin and Apple watches. I for one always lusted for a Breitling, Omega or Bell & Ross, but no longer - I am content with my Garmin Fenix 6 both in terms of everyday looks and function. And I am surely not alone here
Plus I see plenty of other folks who might be wearing a Rolex or similar but are instead wearing an Apple watch.
^^^^This.
I have some very nice watches that now stay in my nightstand since my Fenix5 is infinitely more practical. They pretty much only come out for formal events.
However, if someone wants to buy an expensive watch as a momento of their mop im finish that’s fine by me (as if I get a say).
Or to fit in…
My younger brother was in his younger days (we’re both old with grey hair now) an M & A type. Busted the wristband of his old digital. Realised everyone else had ‘nice’ watches. Went out to lunch and came back five figures lighter but heavier by one watch.
He’s reformed. He now has a wife, two kids, and has got into late night Zwifting which he follows with a few drinks and sometimes buys a new bike at three in the morning. WWFHMNWFY
They’re in kahoots with Garmin to make the current Garmin pricing appear reasonable.
I didn’t realize there were quartz watches that cost so much. I’d think anyone looking to spend so much on a watch would want a real movement in there.
F.P. Journe Elegante and several Grand Seiko
According to USAT’s data and most Western Country triathlon federation’s data. We’re (The triathletes) bloody rich.
I want a Breitling, I’m kinda pissed I didn’t buy their USVI exclusive when I was there many many moons ago. The first Breitling x Ironman design was pretty lame. This one? It’s nice. But not worth it to me specifically.
You know the brands which will come close to holding their value over time. Breitling ain’t one of them. Particularly a quartz watch.
Full disclosure: I own a 1965 mechanical Rolex (just tells time) and an automatic Seiko.
I didn’t realize there were quartz watches that cost so much. I’d think anyone looking to spend so much on a watch would want a real movement in there.
F.P. Journe Elegante and several Grand Seiko
Patek and Audemars make quartz womens watches too.
Obviously a automatic or manual movement would make a watch more valuable, all in all I think it’s a nice watch and will lily sell well.
I think all the watch companies are struggling because if Garmin and Apple watches.
Go into your local Rolex boutique and ask to buy a men’s stainless steel watch.
Then go look at watch reseller sites and compare what stainless steel Rolexes are reselling for compared to their MSRP.
You will find that luxury watch companies are most definitely not struggling right now.