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#1 |
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Ohio
Posts: 196
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Thoughts on Breitling by Rolex fans
So i received a Sub No Date from my AD in April. Thought i would be satisified for a while but i'm now hankering for something else preferably with a blue dial. Really interested in Breitling since it fits the 4-6k range i'm looking for. What are your thoughts on Breitling? I know the usual suspects are Tudor and Omega in that range.
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#2 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Canada
Watch: Sub| DJ41| 79540
Posts: 1,317
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I think Breitling can be good value depending on the model. I was really intrigued by the previous Super Ocean on rubber. At this point, I feel they are struggling with their brand identity.
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#3 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2008
Real Name: Dan
Location: CT, by a lake
Watch: 16570
Posts: 1,544
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Some decent designs. Also some tacky legacy pieces and a fair share of quartz. I often find them oversized and too thick.
They were perhaps decent value for money a few years ago, but retail prices have crept up to a point beyond where I'm comfortable for a Breitling. You have to really want one, you know?
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A watch is about the entire package, not just its appearance. Any large watch company not making its own movement is not making a watch at all; they’re just playing dress-up. --The Watch Snob |
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#4 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Florida
Watch: Sub, DJ41, GMT
Posts: 7,706
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Love Breitling. My three favorite brands are Rolex, Omega and Breitling.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Feb 2023
Real Name: Brad
Location: USA
Watch: 126610LV
Posts: 182
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I don’t own a Breitling but just did a complete re-do of a Breitling AD. That being said, I was there just last week with the owner and was checking out some of the watches. The superocean is in your price range but, in my opinion, the Navitimer chronos are nicer. They’re more around the 9k range.
I still can’t “get down” with a chrono without screw-down pushers but that’s just me. Though, I was tempted by the black dial with white subdials. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 460
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20 to 35 years ago Breitling was almost on par with Rolex -
NOT ANYMORE! Some Private Equity firm bought it and they have no clue on how to run this business.Their watches have no pricing power and their sales are down. Way down. I would only buy a pre-owned piece and you should too! And You would be well advised to do your homework and come to the obvious conclusion that you can buy pretty much any used Breitling for 40-80% off of MSRP (previous and current MSRP)…… |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 321
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Good point — as someone who works in finance, I can tell you I have never heard of private equity backed company improving quality…. Streamlining operations and making it more profitable, sure, but making it a higher quality product via higher standard of care, etc — highly, highly doubtful.
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#8 | |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 X2 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: USA
Posts: 632
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Quote:
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#9 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: Dustin
Location: A, TX
Posts: 1,649
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Chronomats have grown on me. Not a fan of their angled-design bracelet links, so that's a plus...and just every time I see a Chronomat, something else catches my eye in pleasing way.
Wouldn't even consider new, though. |
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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: USA
Watch: All
Posts: 5,177
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I have owned three. Love them.
Navitimer is a classic. Breitling now come in all sizes. Days of just large bricks are long gone.
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Rolex 228235 DD40 Olive, 126710BLRO, 116710BLNR, 116613LB, 116500LN White, 126610LN, 116500LN Black, 126610LV, 116610LV, 126334 Blue Diamond Breitling Navitimer 01, Cartier Santos Large |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: California
Posts: 1
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#12 |
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Join Date: Apr 2022
Real Name: Bazil Brush
Location: Star Gazing
Watch: Any Daytona
Posts: 3,193
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There is a Breitling shop near me, always empty, and nothing really in there that appeals .. I’m not dissing the brand in anyway, some watches I’ve seen online look great, but so do IWC, and Omega ..
But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and not what someone else may think .. navitimer - busy looking watch .. Tourbillon at the 12 o’clock looks odd to me, like a cyclops .. Top time triumph looks their best piece to me ..
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#13 |
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Real Name: The Mystro ;)
Location: Central Pa.
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Always buy Breitling preowned. Great value for watch after they take a huge hit in depreciation. I had one (Blackbird Chronomat) and it was very nice as it looked good on its oem rubber strap and bracelet. Probably should have kept it as a beater in the mix but I find Omega significantly better in every way and you don’t pay much more to get into an Omega in the pre owned market. Plus Omega’s movements are next level and one of the best out there and reason alone to buy a Omega.
Bottom line: You can make a very compelling argument, choosing Omega over Rolex or Rolex over Omega, but that can’t be said for Breitling. ![]()
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#14 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Brian
Location: East Coast
Watch: 124270
Posts: 978
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Quote:
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ROLEX: 16234-Datejust / 16570-Explorer 2 / 116610LN-Submariner / 124270-Explorer 1 / 126710BLNR-GMT-Master 2 TUDOR: M79030-B Black Bay 58 |
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#15 |
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Real Name: Carlos
Location: NNJ - MDE
Watch: Rolex & Omega
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I find the current Superocean line to be quite attractive until I go online and see how much they go for in the used market. I don't buy watches as an investment but man do they depreciate! I much prefer Omega for this price range.
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16570, 224270, 126610, 126334, 126500 |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK
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I prefer their older models, which seem to have a more ‘tool-ish’ or utilitarian design. I’m not overly keen on the newer models which lose some of this design identity in place of a more modern and luxurious feel. Not a fan ‘B’ logo which seems to be on all new models, and wished they’d have kept the wings.
I tried on one of their Avengers (previous generation) a few months back. A nice enough watch, but the AD didn’t have the version I wanted in stock so I held off, and wasn’t interested enough to pursue it any further - make of that what you will... I’d be more inclined to look at Tudor or Omega in this price bracket - IWC and Grand Seiko also on my shortlist in this region too. ![]() |
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#17 |
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Real Name: JYogi/Jeremy
Location: Metro Detroit USA
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Im not impressed with modern Breitling myself.
I have a couple vintage Navitimers from the 60s which I love.
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Real Name: Michelle
Location: Canada/Florida
Watch: WG Breguet Typexx
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I love Breitling and have owned several. Now I have a RG chrono from the 40’s. Beautiful watch. My husband has a black bird from 2000 when they first went COSC and bought his son a dive watch for HS graduation. He recently sold his 43mm Navitimer and regrets it. Both the croc strap and bracelet for that model are wonderful. He actually prefers it over Rolex. Breitling makes some nice watches.
We were in the Breitling dealer at Disney this past Saturday. A man was purchasing an all gold navitimer. $39500, no discount. |
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#19 |
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Watch: less
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I was a big fan of Breitling back when the brand was the old Breitling. I owned many variations over the years. As others have said, buy pre-owned or be prepared to loose a major chunk of change walking out the door.
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Real Name: Michelle
Location: Canada/Florida
Watch: WG Breguet Typexx
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Super Oceans from the early 2000’s and late 1990’s were wonderful watches and bargain, it’s too bad what they have done to that model. IMO
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#21 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
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Real Name: Mike
Location: New York
Watch: Rolex
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I think they've been trying really hard to reinvent themselves. Regardless of what they do, it comes down to whether or not you like the watch. They're built well and look nice. Buy what you like and sings to you.
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#22 |
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 646
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I have been struggling with whether to add a Breitling to my collection.
The Navitimer is a classic, but always a little too big (43-46mm) This year they reintroduced it in a smaller 41mm with some cool new colors... The Premier 40 looks like a classic two subdial chrono from the 40-50s in some modern colors. I was trying to pick between these two, however Breitling's e recent acquisition of Universal Geneve could be promising. Not sure if it will be a separate brand, or if we may soon see UG inspired movements in Breitling watches. THAT would be interesting!
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Rolex Day-Date 118208 YG/Datejust 116139 WG/GMT2 116710 BLNR SS Patek Calatrava 5096 RG - Omega Speedmaster 3861 Sapphire SS - Cartier Tank Louis 1140 YG Panerai GMT 233 SS - Zenith ChronoMaster 01.0240.410 SS - JLC Reverso Duo Q2714910 SS Laine V38 SS - Grand Seiko SGBA407 SS - Baltic Aquascaphe SS - Garmin Approach S62 TAG Heuer Formula One - Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon/Mercury/Jupiter/Neptune |
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#23 |
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Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: USA
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I love breitling. I would choose it over Omega. I love the quality and options. I usually buy from watchmaxx if it’s a breitling.
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#24 |
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I would have no hesitation wearing a Breitling. Never owned one but am certainly open to the idea if the right design peeks my interest. They tend to be a tad too busy for my eye.
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#25 |
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 66
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I’m just not a fan of the designs. Like others if I want a Rolex alternative I would look at Omega personall.
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#26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 66
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I’m just not a fan of the designs. Like others if I want a Rolex alternative I would look at Omega personall.
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#27 |
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Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Northern CA - USA
Posts: 747
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My mint green 41mm Navitimer is one of my favorites in my collection. I also own Omega, Tudor and of course Rolex. But this mint green dial with the white sub dials just pops.
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#28 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Real Name: Michelle
Location: Canada/Florida
Watch: WG Breguet Typexx
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#29 | |
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Quote:
Gorgeous. I love that watch. That could be one of my next watches. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#30 |
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Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Northern CA - USA
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