Introduction
Not Just a Watch. A Turning Point.
Every watch collector has that one timepiece—the one that started it all. For some, it’s a childhood gift. For others, a graduation piece or an heirloom. For me? It was a secondhand Breitling Colt Quartz I bought off a Facebook seller from Rhode Island. That deal didn’t just get me a watch—it started a business. And years later, that same seller came back… this time as an investor.
Let me tell you the full story.
Buying My First “Real” Watch Online
The Facebook DM That Started It All
I wasn’t in the market for anything fancy. Just scrolling Facebook Marketplace, half-curious, half-bored. That’s when I stumbled on a clean Breitling Colt Quartz with the bold stencil numerals and a killer price. The seller? A guy from Rhode Island with solid ratings and real photos.
I sent the DM.
We negotiated.
And within 48 hours, I had my first luxury watch on my wrist.
The Colt Quartz: Underrated, Unshakable
Why It Caught My Eye
The Colt didn’t scream for attention—it whispered confidence. A 44mm steel case, matte dial, and that signature rider-tab bezel. It looked rugged but refined. Military, but wearable.
Specs That Matter
- Movement: Breitling SuperQuartz (10x more accurate than standard quartz)
- Water Resistance: 500 meters (yeah, really)
- Bezel: Uni-directional with crisp clicks
- Case Feel: Surprisingly ergonomic for its size
This wasn’t just a battery-powered beater. It had presence. It felt like it was made for something more.
The Unexpected Lesson That Watch Taught Me
More Than Time—It Taught Me Value
Wearing the Colt did something to me. It didn’t just tell time—it told my time. It marked a new chapter. I found myself researching movements, learning about resale value, lurking on forums, joining Facebook groups… I was hooked.
I Flipped It—and Everything Changed
On a whim, I listed the Colt a few months later. Better photos. Clear description. A compelling story. And then it happened:
Sold.
Profit.
Spark ignited.
That was my first real flip—and I knew I’d never look at watches the same way again.
Turning a One-Time Sale Into a Watch Business
From Buyer to Builder
That sale gave birth to what would become Tailored Timepieces—a brand built on trust, detail, and storytelling. No shortcuts. No fluff. Just authentic, one-on-one relationships with buyers and sellers.
I started sourcing, flipping, documenting everything. Each watch had a narrative, and I realized I was doing more than sales—I was curating chapters of people’s lives.
The Full-Circle Moment
About a year and a half into building Tailored Timepieces, I got a message that stopped me in my tracks.
It was from the same guy who sold me the Colt.
This time, he wasn’t selling.
He wanted in.
He’d been watching the brand grow—following the flips, the content, the community. And he wanted to invest in the very business that started because of his watch.
Talk about full-circle.
What the Breitling Colt Quartz Really Gave Me
It Was Never Just About the Watch
That Colt Quartz didn’t just launch a business—it changed how I saw time, value, and ownership. It taught me that:
- Stories drive sales
- Trust beats hype
- And every watch is a potential doorway to something bigger
Watches Are Emotional Assets
The Colt showed me that luxury watches are more than status symbols—they’re emotional anchors. People don’t just buy specs. They buy identity, heritage, and sometimes, hope.
Final Thoughts: Small Starts Lead to Big Moves
The Power of One Connection
A random Facebook deal. A quartz-powered tool watch. A buyer who became a builder. And a seller who became an investor.
Sometimes, all it takes is one watch to rewrite your entire trajectory.
If you’re on the fence about your first real watch—or your first business move—this is your sign: start where you are, with what you have. You never know what it might lead to.
FAQs
1. Is the Breitling Colt Quartz still worth buying in 2025?
Absolutely. It’s rugged, reliable, and often undervalued. You get Swiss quality, serious water resistance, and a SuperQuartz movement—all for a reasonable price on the secondary market.
2. How can I verify a used Breitling Colt Quartz?
Check the serial number against Breitling’s database, inspect the lume and dial font, and make sure the second hand hits the indices precisely—fakes often miss that detail.
3. Why do collectors still love quartz watches like the Colt?
They offer unmatched accuracy, are often overlooked (so better value), and in the case of the Colt—carry military roots and serious durability.
4. Can I build a business from flipping one watch?
Yes. Tailored Timepieces started from a single flip. Focus on storytelling, community, and transparency—people will remember the experience, not just the piece.
5. Should I buy from Facebook Marketplace?
Only if you know what you’re doing. Ask for references, request time-stamped photos, and always use secure payment methods. Sometimes, like my story, it pays off big time.