IWC vs BREITLING Titanium Divers

[worktolivelife]

Would you choose one over the other, for any other reason bar cosmetics!!!!, I've got the breitling coming in the next weeks, no commitment, AD says if its too much not a problem, and offers to show me something similar! a IWC, well before darens aquisition it wasn't a brand I was really aware of, anyone care to give me "there opinions" and take on the two brands and a choice between both these titanium divers





thanks
steve

On style alone, the IWC wins hands down.

[padi56]

Well must admit not a huge fan,but IMO the IWC has just got that bit of extra smile factor.But Steve its your choice mate,you have the one you like.

[dman]

Steve, I am a fan of the history of the Aquatimer line and the brand itself. It is all about what looks best to you. I love my AT, actually wearing it again today for the second day in a row. Yesterday I wore it on the rubber strap, today it is on the Ti bracelet. I love the look of the watch both ways and how easy it is to switch back and forth.

I would never say one is better than the other between the two you mentioned, as far as I know, both are excellent. But for me, all things being equal I would take the AT all day long. Here is a cut and paste I did on some info on the durablity of IWC's Ti they use. It is supposed to be the most durable on the market.


IWC'S TITANIUM


IWC pioneered the use of Titanium in watches 20 years ago, first in the startlingly original Porsche Design Titane, then the revolutionary Ocean 2000. In attaining this status, IWC has attained probably more know how in exotic case making than any other - especially in working with Titanium.

Thus it is clear from looking at their cases, the quality of machining that shows through in the results obtained from this difficult to work with metal. In the latest incarnation of the Titanium watch by IWC, the GST series, this science of the Art of making cases has been further advanced.

The Titanium cases are machined by the removal of metal in complex processes. The case and its components are painstakingly turned, milled and drilled, allowing closer tolerances than a stamped product. That is why, it is said that the Ocean case is water resistant even without its back case gasket because of the precise fit of the machining of the case back screw threads with the case itself!

Newly developed in-house processes include covered or hidden welding of titanium (previously thought to be a material not able to be welded), controlled environment soldering and high vacuum annealing and ways of bonding the titanium with the sapphire glass by using a non-aging, non-deteriorating silver-platinum thrust ring to produce dive watches capable of 2,000m resistance to water ingress.

The latest innovation has been the nitriding process for hardening titanium and other alloys. IWC achieved a level of Vickers Hardness of 2,400Hv, compared to the Ventura achievement of 1,300Hv for their hardened Titanium!! This is at the level of synthetic sapphire and just short of Lanthanum/Boron Carbide (9 on the Mohs scale). In comparison, normal Titanium is approximately 180Hv and hardened Stainless Steel is 700-800Hv.

In addition, IWC has developed techniques for polishing and abrasive blasting of Titanium (with sapphire beads). The Titanium alloys used contain Vanadium and aluminium with extreme high temperature stability and a tensile strength of 1000Mpa.

Miscellaneous Information:
Titanium: Group IVb of Periodic table
Atomic number: 22, Mass numbers of 46-50
Atomic weight: 47.9
Melting point: 1,668 Celcius
Density: 4,51g/ccm

[GerardoG]

It's really a matter of personal taste. To me, saw the AT 3 weeks ago and I just fell in love with it! Already ordered one (SS, rubber strap), should be here for xmas.

[Rockrolex]

I'd go with the Breitling, Steve. You can only dive to 6K feet with the IWC. You can go all the way to 10K feet with the Breitling. You never know when you made need to go that extra depth.

[BruceS]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I'd go with the Breitling, Steve. You can only dive to 6K feet with the IWC. You can go all the way to 10K feet with the Breitling. You never know when you made need to go that extra depth.

Yeah if you croke on a dive your watch will survive as you sink into the abys

[BruceS]

I would choose the IWC. It's a great looking watch IMO and super comfy. Most of the Breitlings are too thick for my taste, but they're good watches.

If you can't have a Seiko BM, the IWC AT is a great second choice for a dive watch.

[dman]

Originally Posted by BruceS

I would choose the IWC. It's a great looking watch IMO and super comfy. Most of the Breitlings are too thick for my taste, but they're good watches.

It is comfy, I would say buy it on the bracelet and buy the strap afterwards to have the options.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Atomic

If you can't have a Seiko BM, the IWC AT is a great second choice for a dive watch.

Fair and valid point John.

[worktolivelife]

Thanks Daren fascinating info on the titanium, the one he offered me was on a rubber strap which i liked it seemed more intergrated with the casing than many straps I've seen, whats so special about the IWC bracelets i keep reading about

steve

[dman]

Originally Posted by worktolivelife

Thanks Daren fascinating info on the titanium, the one he offered me was on a rubber strap which i liked it seemed more intergrated with the casing than many straps I've seen, whats so special about the IWC bracelets i keep reading about

steve

I have a pro and con about the bracelet actually. The bracelet is not flexible from the lugs, so it is different than a Rolex. There is no micro adjustment so if the fit is not right, it can be a pain. Normally the bracelet is perfect on me, today is cold as shite so the bracelet is not as perfect. If you can get the perfect fit you will not find a more comfortable bracelet.

The great things are that they are comfortable, and they are also super easy to interchange. They provide the tools needed and it is just a couple of pushes and you are done.

I am a fan of the strap as well, to me it is the best and most solid one I have found. I actually like it about as much on the rubber strap as the bracelet.

[worktolivelife]

I did actually prefer the look on the strap, the one he showed me also came with a deployant push button clasp, it gave the watch i a more fun, leisure tool look which is what im looking for


steve

[JJ Irani]

IWC vs Breitling? IWC in the blink of an eye, Steve....no contest!! Good luck on your final decision!

[dman]

Originally Posted by worktolivelife

I did actually prefer the look on the strap, the one he showed me also came with a deployant push button clasp, it gave the watch i a more fun, leisure tool look which is what im looking for


steve

WOW!! That sounds really awesome!! I may have to look into that. It may be just a SS thing though.

[alpet]

I just love the look of that IWC!! If it were my mind to make up...there wouldnt be any second thoughts..

[dman]

Originally Posted by alpet

I just love the look of that IWC!! If it were my mind to make up...there wouldnt be any second thoughts..

Mine is a hair different being a chrono, but I love it!

I have actually worn it two days in a row and for me that is not mormal.

[baseballduck]

I really like that IWC. That could be a good post-Rolex watch. Or maybe that should be a Pam. Hmmmmmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Tyler

[dman]

Originally Posted by baseballduck

I really like that IWC. That could be a good post-Rolex watch. Or maybe that should be a Pam. Hmmmmmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Tyler

Keep the goals Tyler, I really like that, without aim you will hit nothing everytime.

Originally Posted by dman

Keep the goals Tyler, I really like that, without aim you will hit nothing everytime.

Are you using Al's sayings, now?