Omega or Breitling?

[ParisDakarBmw]

Breitling has the aviator look to a T. I would take a Breitling Twin Sixty, Navitimer cosmonaute, or Montbrilliant over any Omega.

[forza1976]

Originally Posted by blackmsport

for Scientology supporter ..... go Breitling (ie John Travolta)

for Formula 1 .... Go Omega (Schumacher)

dumb argument

[poboxw]

In terms of history, both Breitling and Omega both left substantial marks; Breitling arguably contributed to the first automatic chronograph in its Navitimer Chronomatic and Omega unknowingly made it to the moon with its Speedmaster.

In terms of quality, neither makes in-house movements from what i know, but do put additional finishes on their ETA and other movements. Omega has been reported to go a step beyond by some watchmakers but i've also heard from ADs in North America which stopped carrying Omegas that the discontinuation was due to poor customer service and higher servicing rate.

In terms of popularity.... i confirm that the Omega is considered a very high end in Asia, not held quite as high as Rolex but much more well known than Breitling. Omegas were popular "wedding exchange items" in Asian culture at one time. In North America i'd say though Breitling and Omega are about par?

In terms of style Breitling is more streamlined towards aviation while Omega ventures quite wide. Personally i find Breitling's take on focusing in one general area as the way to go and a boost in terms of their worth, but we also know particular lines of Omega has its die hard fans too.

The two are on even grounds in my book, though i'd pick up a Navitimer over any Omega any day, but that's just personal taste.

(my first post in this forum! i've been taking in the info in the background for a while now and finally thought i'd surface and make a bit of a contribution... especially now that i've finally put the trigger on my first automatic watch)

[shm5088]

I have both and have been equally happy with both.

[brkanand]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

They are all quality watches - that is why I have all three brands - Breitling, Omega and Rolex.

I even have a Seiko, it's helluva tough watch.

That settles the issue once and for all. Expensive though ...!

[obmto]

Originally Posted by poboxw

In terms of quality, neither makes in-house movements

Wrong

[Watchdog]

I have always loved the look of the Breitling watches. I think they are amazing.

However, and this could simply be perception over fact, I would probably choose Omega because they (to me) seem to possess the quality of a Rolex without the price!

[poboxw]

Originally Posted by obmto

Wrong

Please do enlighten me

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by poboxw

Please do enlighten me

Google is your friend

PS -Omega does too

[Starwalker]

Brandwise....Globally, Omega is held in a higher regard than Brietling. There are huge fan bases for both, however Omega has a wider range of products and a bigger target audience. IMO Omega also has far better brand ambassadors, the only person Breitlings really uses to market there products is Travolta - (IMO I think he cant act and is not very inspirational) . I find it difficult to like breitling, the only model I thought worth buying was the Blackbird....they're too big, too busy in general for me, i think Omega is a better brand, with a better hertiage...not too IN YOUR FACE. anyways these are my 2 cents, and each on to their own, get whatever floats your boat.

[Widows Son]

Both are great brands but I'm more into vintage. I own many Omegas, the newest being a Speedmaster 140.022. Only have two Breitlings, a vintage Geneve, and a vintage 3 dial Premiere. I can't comment on the newer models of either but I do lust after the Black Steel Avenger.

[Nica64]

Both are great watches I own two Breitlings and love them, I'm still looking for my first Omega thinking of getting the Planet Ocean

[warrior]

might want to google omega 8500 movement.

Originally Posted by poboxw

In terms of history, both Breitling and Omega both left substantial marks; Breitling arguably contributed to the first automatic chronograph in its Navitimer Chronomatic and Omega unknowingly made it to the moon with its Speedmaster.

In terms of quality, neither makes in-house movements from what i know, but do put additional finishes on their ETA and other movements. Omega has been reported to go a step beyond by some watchmakers but i've also heard from ADs in North America which stopped carrying Omegas that the discontinuation was due to poor customer service and higher servicing rate.

In terms of popularity.... i confirm that the Omega is considered a very high end in Asia, not held quite as high as Rolex but much more well known than Breitling. Omegas were popular "wedding exchange items" in Asian culture at one time. In North America i'd say though Breitling and Omega are about par?

In terms of style Breitling is more streamlined towards aviation while Omega ventures quite wide. Personally i find Breitling's take on focusing in one general area as the way to go and a boost in terms of their worth, but we also know particular lines of Omega has its die hard fans too.

The two are on even grounds in my book, though i'd pick up a Navitimer over any Omega any day, but that's just personal taste.

(my first post in this forum! i've been taking in the info in the background for a while now and finally thought i'd surface and make a bit of a contribution... especially now that i've finally put the trigger on my first automatic watch)

[Nairn1980]

IMO neither.....save a bit longer and get a Rolex:)

[warrior]

Nothing wrong with Rolex ( as I have a couple) but perhaps the OP wants to go against the grain and be a little more original? Maybe he has done some research and realizes that certain Omegas and Breitlings have great quality and he wants to diversify?

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

IMO neither.....save a bit longer and get a Rolex:)

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by warrior

Nothing wrong with Rolex ( as I have a couple) but perhaps the OP wants to go against the grain and be a little more original? Maybe he has done some research and realizes that certain Omegas and Breitlings have great quality and he wants to diversify?

Absolutely appreciate and respect that. However as it is a Rolex Forum, some of us are Rolex mad, including myself :)

I cannot see past Rolex, and when I see people spending 4-figure even 5-figure sums of money on Omega or Tag, or Breitling it makes my head spin.

That's just me, and just my opinion. I do not dislike all these other brands, but I would never buy them as long as Rolex continue to produce watches (forever I hope).

Again, just my opinion, and as always all opinions are expressed with the greatest of respect.

Cheers,
Nairn

[obmto]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

I cannot see past Rolex, and when I see people spending 4-figure even 5-figure sums of money on Omega or Tag, or Breitling it makes my head spin.

And there are Omega and Breitling fanatics that scoff at the Submariner MSRP.

[vaq129e4]

My bond SMP is my second favorite watch. and is a much more rugged peice than my Rolex even. To me I hate the idea of a 4000 dollar Quartz watch like Breitling has.

[Fearsome Puppy]

Personally, Omega...

[MasterOfEvil]

I am a Breitling fan (I wear a Super Avenger daily) but I do not think one can really make a wrong decision between Breitling and Omega. Personally I do not like Omegas that much, but they do make an excellent watch for the money. They certainly tend to be more creative and make more of a niche for their products than Rolex does (and that probably lowers their sales slightly). I do feel that Breitling's fit and finish is unrivalled by any other watch brand in their price range, or even slightly above it. From viewing numerous watches I feel that only the higher end brands such as Panerai, UN, JLC...up to AP and VC and so on surpass Breitling's fit and finish. This is not to say Omegas are not finished well, because they are, I just feel Breitling uses more intricate designs and perfects the watch cosmetically.

I suppose this is all nit-picking though, because both watches are excellent. I will add though that in the future if Breitling expands their B01 movement into the Navitimer range and perhaps even some of the Aeromarine range that they will be making a watch that rivals, and probably surpasses Rolex in terms of overall quality and engineering. Only time will tell though to see if Breitling puts their in-house movement into more of their watch range.

[scrog10]

I have Rolex Sub, Omega SMP and a Breitling Blackbird. I love them all for different reasons and I don't think any one of them is better than the other but I do think two of them are overpriced new and one of them is overpriced used.
I also consider Omega to be more dressy than Breitling.

[vintagewaferthin]

Omega. Personally I don't like breitling.

[MrLee]

I would say they are both equal, tough one. If your talking vintage I would take one of those lovely seventies omegas like the flightmaster or seamaster Montreal over any vintage breitling. But modern watches i'd be over the moon with either a po or an emergency

[MrLee]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

Absolutely appreciate and respect that. However as it is a Rolex Forum, some of us are Rolex mad, including myself :)

I cannot see past Rolex, and when I see people spending 4-figure even 5-figure sums of money on Omega or Tag, or Breitling it makes my head spin.

That's just me, and just my opinion. I do not dislike all these other brands, but I would never buy them as long as Rolex continue to produce watches (forever I hope).

Again, just my opinion, and as always all opinions are expressed with the greatest of respect.

Cheers,
Nairn

It might be a Rolex forum but I think most people on here love other brands as well as Rolex. IMO its great to have a range of brands and these two brands make nice watches. What's the point of just having loads of Rolexes when you can mix it up a bit

[cruisedaddy]

I was at Zadook's in Houston last week, AD for all the high end watches except Rolex. I asked about their Omega's and they told me they had stopped carrying them due to Omega opening a watch store in the Gallerai Mall.

Anyway, I own 2 Breitlings and the Planet Ocean 45.5mm with the Orange Bezel and Orange stitched rubber stap. I get more comments about the Omega.

[lorsban]

Used to have an Omega Seamaster blue mid-sized bond watch in quartz. It was my first watch that cost near or a bit over $1,000. Used it for years throughout college. Great watch, very nice finish. My only gripe is it uses push pins for the bracelet. I later gave it to my brother in law, who still uses it today. It's now got a nice patina on the lume.

In 2003, I got a Breitling SuperOcean. Again, very solid watch. It puts together that great balance of tool:flash, with that rugged case, rated to 2500 meters, and just the right amount of bling. I let that one go, again, to my brother in law. Wish I hadn't. I had a rubber strap and leather one to go with the steel and with each strap, I got a completely different look from the same watch. If there was one watch I would like to get back, it would be that one. It uses an ETA movement, but I don't mind because ETA's are proven and also much easier to service.

Both Omega and Breitling make great quality watches. And both of them have some watch models with proprietary movements, although Omega now has more but they're very pricey. It seems these days, Omega is becoming a tad more upscale than Breitling.

One plus Breitling has over Omega is service cost. Omega charges more than Rolex does for basically the same stuff, in my country.

[nick c]

omega 3 for me

[airchitect]

Breitling is blingier(?), and over the top. Omegas are a bit more understated than a Breitling and in many cases the same quality and just as classic as some Rolex'. I mean the Daytona never went to the moon...... :-)

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

they are all quality watches - that is why i have all three brands - breitling, omega and rolex.

I even have a seiko, it's helluva tough watch.

x2

[GuyC]

I like both brands very much. Each has their own identity and produce quality timepieces. There definitely are models in each product line that I don't like....and not just new models. I think the transocean and chronomat lines for Breitling are awesome, and I think both speedmaster and seamaster lines are excellent as well. The Omega 1948 London watch has just jumped to the top of my list of must haves!

I need a new Omega to balance out my collection....can't let Breitling have numbers.