Thoughts on Breitling by Rolex fans

[agriculture&watches]

I really like the way of Breitling nowadays. The new model line of superocean is growing on me. I think you can take a look on them. I think they are really good value for money.

[Langwhang]

Absolutely love Breitling and have 6 of them. The Superocean Heritage Chronograph silver dial with black rubber strap is stunning and I bought it after just "popping in" for a few minutes while my wife was in another shop.
My latest is the blue Superocean Heritage with rose gold for our 30th wedding anniversary in 3 weeks, and the one immediately before that was the Superocean white dial with blue rubber strap which is a great summer watch.
If the OP is looking at a blue dial then he should check it out and see what he thinks.
Rolex models are getting a bit "samey" for me and even if I did see another I liked, it is near on impossible for me to buy one from an AD anyway. I have a 2019 116613lb and I very much doubt an AD would look at me twice.
Of course this addiction we all have really comes down to personal taste but for me another big plus compared to Rolex is that you can actually go in, try multiple watches on, and.......get this.......buy it there and then and take it home!!! I
Short version - love my Breitlings and thoroughly recommend them.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

I've always thought Navitimers were cool as hell. An 806 would be fantastic :)

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by Krash

Gorgeous. I love that watch. That could be one of my next watches.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GreatCircle]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

I like breitling. Am a fan of the older superoceans

Those were the days and in todays market these Superoceans are absolute bargains!


(Image Fratello)

[Philadelphialawyer1]

My Chronomat from 2003 was a law school graduation gift. It got me through 3 state exams and I wore it today. However, never buy one new as they depreciate like a 1992 jaguar.

[TheHulk]

They are a step up from Invicta

[crimson]

Originally Posted by -dustin

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.

Buy it at the Breitling Outlet

[Argo98]

breitling is,imho,by far the best company under 10k. It has, perhaps together with iwc, the most complete and beautiful catalog of all the companies. In terms of quality, imo it is above omega and on the same level as rolex, iwc, etc. its only drawback is that it has not yet gained the respect it deserves from the new generation of watch lovers that has been created in recent years by the internet,

[BillA]

So I have 2 Breitling, one of them, the Navitimer from 1985 is a daily wearer. The Endurance Pro has been a more recent addition. Had to send it back to Breitling because the red seconds hand and the subdials did not line up well, got it back, a fair job, not perfectly lined. A year later the chrono stopped working, sent it back, cost me a complete service. So I am not a big fan of Breitling QC and service, the Navitimer has been sent back once for its day at the spa and came back and running well. One other thought another poster said and I agree, you can get good value pre-owned, don’t look to make money nor break even on a resale.

[1Daytona]

Love my Breitlings. Great value for the price IMO.
Here is a pic of my recent purchase, Chrono Avenger GMT, 45mm, with awesome black and blue dial.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by ppierce

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.

Awesome watches for the same or less than Omega, Tudor etc...

[garyk]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

They are a step up from Invicta

Ha!!! Breitlings are very good styling and in some cases elegant. In other words they have class and good build quality unlike the cheap brand you mention...

[garyk]

I’ve had this one for 30 years, fantastic quality!!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[garyk]

After several years trying to buy a BLNR on Jubilee from an AD, I finally have given up and searched for a GMT watch I personally liked better. A new Breitling Chronomat GMT with an amazing Rouleaux bracelet!!

[garyk]

Picked this up from a former ROLEX AD yesterday afternoon…




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GRabens]

I own more Breitlings than Rolex (5:2). I agree with a lot of the comments. It is best to buy pre-owned as they do not hold their value. I tend to gravitate to the classic and discontinued models. The Navitimer is a classic if you like the look. The Avenger series seems to be consistent over the last decade plus. They do seem to introduce and phase out models regularly. I like them for what they are. I think they make some of best bracelets/bracelet designs in the industry.

[MichelleP]

I have a Superocean 42 and really like it. Think and fits my smaller wrist much better than an Omega



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by garyk

Picked this up from a former ROLEX AD yesterday afternoon…




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Looks great. I love the Rouleaux bracelet. I've been eyeing the green dial version

[garyk]

Originally Posted by MichelleP

Looks great. I love the Rouleaux bracelet. I've been eyeing the green dial version

The green dial looks so darn good but my wife killed it for me lol…

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by garyk

The green dial looks so darn good but my wife killed it for me lol…

That's too bad but the black looks sharp

[codecow]

I like my B09 chrono, Aerospace is a solid choice, and I’m eyeing the new rainbow Superocean 42.

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by codecow

I like my B09 chrono, Aerospace is a solid choice, and I’m eyeing the new rainbow Superocean 42.

I like the new Rainbow ones as well

[codecow]

Originally Posted by MichelleP

I like the new Rainbow ones as well

Topper has the dive watch event at the end of the month, hopefully they’ll have a 42mm superocean I can try to see if I want to order one.

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by codecow

Topper has the dive watch event at the end of the month, hopefully they’ll have a 42mm superocean I can try to see if I want to order one.

I saw that. Going to miss this event. Leave for San Diego that day. I go to most of their evens. I must have met you at some point.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by MichelleP

I saw that. Going to miss this event. Leave for San Diego that day. I go to most of their evens. I must have met you at some point.

I haven’t been to one yet!!! My buddy IRL has been on their podcast but I’m always late to sign up. This time I was looking at those super oceans and stumbled across the event.

All we have ever bought from them is a couple grand Seikos. I also had them service my OG Omega Seamaster I bought at Caesars Palace over 20 years ago. That’s what I have on my wrist now.

Their new store is awesome.

We seem to have somewhat similar taste in watches so at some point we will cross paths at one of those events!

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by codecow

I haven’t been to one yet!!! My buddy IRL has been on their podcast but I’m always late to sign up. This time I was looking at those super oceans and stumbled across the event.

All we have ever bought from them is a couple grand Seikos. I also had them service my OG Omega Seamaster I bought at Caesars Palace over 20 years ago. That’s what I have on my wrist now.

Their new store is awesome.

We seem to have somewhat similar taste in watches so at some point we will cross paths at one of those events!

The new store is amazing. I'm sure we will.

[Driver8]

I've been a Breitling fan for more years than I care to remember, and I've been a moderator on a dedicated Breitling forum for over 15 years now....but unfortunately 90% of what Breitling are doing these days leaves me cold.

For me Breitling were (and always will be) a niche aviation brand, but all that ended when Theodore Schneider sold his majority stake in Breitling to CVC. In fact, Breitling's glory days were over when Ernst Schneider passed away.

I don't doubt the new ownership has turned them into a more profitable brand (and that's exactly what a private equity firm wants of course), but in doing so they're now nothing more than high-end fashion brand IMO. Forays into the worlds of motorbikes, cycling, classic cars, surfing, film, fashion, triathlon, basketball, Victoria Beckham, etc, etc, just feels like a scatter-gun approach trying to be something to everyone. Now we've got stuff like camouflage dials appearing, and rainbow hour markers.... all terrible IMO. And not to mention still loads of hideously overpriced ETA/Sellita powered pieces across the range.

That's not to say everything they've done under Kern is bad. The reissue 806 was truly fantastic, as was the 765 AVI reissue, and the (sadly stupidly limited edition) B02-equipped Cosmonaute was incredible. The latest 42mm Chronomat is also a decent watch (although the archaic butterfly clasp with zero micro-adjustment meant I sold mine).

But for every decent thing they've made recently, there are ten things that aren't so good IMO. As mentioned above, all the weird and pointless collabs do nothing but dilute the brand. Even the latest Navitimer has been "dumbed down" by removing the tachymeter scale from the dial.

But to the OPs question, Breitling are still making very good quality pieces and if you buy something with a chronograph, you'll be getting a fantastic in-house movement. So if you've found a model you like, then I say go for it.

[codecow]

We found a rainbow hater folks!

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by codecow

We found a rainbow hater folks!

Don’t forget my camouflage dial dislike too. I dislike those JUST as much. Just like I don’t like the Rolex “Puzzle” and “Celebration” dials either. Each to their own though.

(Or are you trying to turn this into something it isn’t?)