Comments:
Alma Mater or Alumni Timepieces?
Some of us are huge fans of our alma mater. Ever met a person who liked his alma matter so much that he mentions it almost every time he meets someone new? Some of us even join the Cornell Club, the Yale Club, and the Harvard Club - thank you to the members who have invited me as your guest into these clubhouses. And some of us even put license plate frames on our cars that tell the public what school you went to!
How about your wrist? Would you brand your wrist with your school's logo?
This was an email from September last year. "In the spirit of academia?" How about in the spirit of making money! These watches are $3700 USD a piece, plus sales tax!
There are multiple schools with a Breitling watch! Some of you may remember the year 2000 movie The Skulls which had a young Paul Walker among its cast. The Skulls is a special fraternity where the members wear identical Breitling timepieces. Perhaps The Skulls film is a partial genesis to this idea.
There are multiple schools with a Breitling watch! Some of you may remember the year 2000 movie The Skulls which had a young Paul Walker among its cast. The Skulls is a special fraternity where the members wear identical Breitling timepieces. Perhaps The Skulls film is a partial genesis to this idea.
Personally, I don't find these watches attractive. I also don't have this desire to broadcast my alma mater. So even if there was an attractive alumni watch, I'd hesitate. But, I do realize some people are fanatical about their alma mater and very proud about it. And some are fascinated by dual branded watches - although this is usually with a jewelry store partner rather than a school. What are your thoughts? Does this add value to you? Or is it a detractor?
Agree not my cup of tee; although I am guilty of having my Alma
Matter on a license plate holder. This reflects the fact I hold my time pieces in higher regard than my cars.
Much easier to keep a timepiece clean than a car clean!
And the family members don't use the timepiece the same way they use the car!
Hmmmmm...... Am a high school drop out, was homeless at 22 y/o. Is there a logo for...
...the School of Hard Knocks? And what is the School's 'fight song'?
Yeah, guess am not a fan of fanboy marketing swag. Plus those Ohio guys are crazy!
Cartier Crash for you!
For the hard knocks part! I find this Stanford watch to be hideous!
Well, you know, that's Stanford (lol). Wait until you see what the Princeton and Harvard fanboys do. ;-)
Of course the MIT guys would have **nothing** to do with that, that... watch thing. Since we all know MIT / SpaceX is far more advanced, my buddies there would properly create using nano-tech structures at microscopic levels that boggle the mind. But the horological world might not really be ready for that... just yet.
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Let us be very kind and respect to those still holding on to their Grandfather's beliefs of Old School Trinity (without realizing the world has long left them behind). We truly MUST respect the past, because it now has brought us to 'here'... and, now in 2025 and beyond, into the future.
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Oh man, look at those Cavemen go! 
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Only if…
It’s branded with the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople. (IYKYK)
The other option: my dad - having gotten his PhD at one of those east-coast Ivies - took his first academic job at a less-well-known midwestern university. To rib his family as a joke, who weren’t quite sure about his moving to what seemed to them the middle of nowhere, my folks made up the West Wyoming State Junior Teachers’ Technical Training College. I’d totally go for a WWSJTTTC-signed Patek.
Aside from that…
Best
E.
The other option: my dad - having gotten his PhD at one of those east-coast Ivies - took his first academic job at a less-well-known midwestern university. To rib his family as a joke, who weren’t quite sure about his moving to what seemed to them the middle of nowhere, my folks made up the West Wyoming State Junior Teachers’ Technical Training College. I’d totally go for a WWSJTTTC-signed Patek.
Aside from that…
Best
E.
It seems highly likely Georges Kern will make one for you - as long as you're willing to shell out $3700 Big Ones!
It seems like a cash grab by Breitling. Maybe they kick back 20% to the schools?
Alma Mater Studiorum (the one and only) former student here 👨🏻🎓
I guess it's jus another way to sell promote a limited edition.
Nice try, Breitling.
I agree. Nice try Breitling! And "promote" is the right word. But there must be a bigger market than we realize.
I am not at all onto this, but I find a pity to that to specify the name of the university. The logo should be enough: If you know you know, no need to shout:)
I am sure they will sell lots of them, and we will see many for cheap on the second hand market (who would want one if you haven't been to these university...).
Good marketing by Breitling I think, they have nothing to lose.
(And they are quartz, you'll have to change the battery before the end of your studies 😀).
I think and hope that I am a more complex than one only brand could summarize).
Best,
E.
Good marketing by Breitling I think, they have nothing to lose.
(And they are quartz, you'll have to change the battery before the end of your studies 😀).
I think and hope that I am a more complex than one only brand could summarize).
Best,
E.
Pretty sure you don't need to provide proof that you're a student or Alma Mater to buy one of these.
I'm fairly sure anyone can waltz into a Breitling boutique and buy one of these without even indicating they're an Alma Mater. Much less providing proof. Reminds me of the TV Show SUITS where the lead character pretends he's a Harvard Law graduate in order to join a law firm. He'd probably buy this watch just to reinforce the illusion.
Patrick, those aren’t my cup of tea , but I do understand the appeal.
My wife just bought his last month, as she is training for her 1st half Ironman. It’s a decent looking watch and looks good on her, it’s a hefty piece.
Good luck to her!
I was the equipment manager for an Ironman participant. Remember to get all the claim tickets for the bag of swimming equipment, the claim ticket for the bicycle, and then chase after your wife through all the closed roads for photographs - I missed my photo opportunity only by a few seconds almost every time! At the end of the Ironman, I was almost as tired as the participant!