Breitling Anyone?

[samson722]

Wanting to know if anyone here owns a Breitling. Is it worth the expense? I would hope so, seeing as they fetch pretty penny for most of their models. I was strongly considering looking into a few of these fine chronographs, but then someone turned me onto Panerai...now I don't know what to do...Any thoughts? I mean it's a HUGE jump in price from one to the other, but that doesn't matter much to me, if the watch will last 20+ years. I want something perfect that will serve me well and hopefully survive me, so that someday, if I have kids, I can pass on something truly special.

[Lee1959]

For a number of years I went the expensive timepiece route, and they are beautiful watches make no mistake. Worth the money? Everyone has to decide what is worth what, to them, it matters not what it is worth to anyone else. That said, they are quality timepieces, that have held their value well. However, to me, for my hard earned money, I would never own another, nor Rolex, Paneri, or any other watch that I am afraid to wear every day. There are number of nice watches every bit as good, for a lot less money.

The only one that is unique to my knowledge is the Brietling Emergency beacon watch, that watch might save your life one day so it is definitly top of the heap for expensive watches in my opinion. If you go wit one, go with the alnalog dial and not th ecombo ;) it just looks so much classier, lol.

I personally, enjoy wearing a watch that I do not freak out if I sitck my hand somewhere, in my briefcase or anywhere else, and I hear and feel that sickening scratch sound. They are to me, noting more than keeping up with the Jones, and there for a wow factor to impress others.

But this is just me, everyone has their own reasons for what they like. So in answer to your original question, yes Breitling is a very nice quality watch that if you want to spend the money, could be considered "worth it".

[Lunal_Tic]

I just read a review on this, Breitling Emergency, it said only licenced pilots can buy it. Well that's one way to keep me from getting it. ;D

-LT

[samson722]

It's possible, but I'm not sure how much thruth there is to that, as there's a Breitling dealer near my place, and they seem to sell those freely. Besides, I was researching it, and the frequency for the transmitter is going to be obsolete by 2010, in that they are switching to satellite transmitters for SAR. It's definitely one cool watch, though.

[Codeman]

If I'm every wealthy enough to not think twice about the pirce, I will. Til then, I'll stick to the $1500 and lower class.

Of all the watches I've seen, I like Breitling's styling the best. Especially the Cosmonaute series.

[Lee1959]

If I was going to buy a watch in the $1000 plus range, it would definitly be a Doxa, most likely a Doxa Carribean if I could find one. I love the case, it has the best looking bracelet bar none, and the blue in the face is a perfect shade. But the orange cries to me also...

http://www.doxa300t.com/oldnnew/oldnnew7.jpg


Picture borrowed from www.doxa300t.com

[Codeman]

Have you see a Cyma Charisma (http://www.cymawatch.com/galleries/4_charisma.html) in 18k gold with a blue face?* Mine's got a black face, but it's a great watch for about $1,500.* The SS/18k bracelet is the best of any watch I own.* Guess we'll have to agree to disagree on that point! ;D

[Lee1959]

I have seen that one before and considered it. The oldest watch I own, well, not oldest, but the watch I have owned the longest, is stainless and gold. My wife got it for me on our 1st anniversary, or 5th (Dont tell her I cannot remember which gift came on which anniversary!!!!), so it is either 26, or 22 years old, lol. My wedding ring is silver and gold also, in a celtic knot pattern. The Doxa ricebead bracelet is such a nice wearing and looking bracelet, plus it has that old school early 70s dive watch appeal which is why I love it so.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/patycake21/telux.jpg

[Codeman]

That is sweet!

[Lee1959]

Its a Telux, you can still get them, they are actually a pretty nice bargain and around $150.

[TKC]

Have you seen Sinn watches ?( Thanks to Mr. Atwood, I want a U2) http://www.watchbuys.com/sinn.htm?gclid=CNXksZiHiIUCFRAWVAodC2jaEA

[pressy]

hi this is my first ever post as i just found this wonderful site* :) this is a picture of my breitling navitimer ,i would buy one over a lot of watches as they are much more rare than other makes that are in the 1000 + range http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k246/press2001/22-07-06_1424.jpghttp://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k246/press2001/22-07-06_1450.jpg sorry not to clear

[Deaths Head]

They are great watches. A favorite among rugged watch lovers. Citizen and Seiko for me. Anyone care for a pic?

[Gadget Guy]

Welcome to EDCF! Thanks for the pix! O0

[samson722]

They are great watches.* A favorite among rugged watch lovers.* Citizen and Seiko for me.* Anyone care for a pic?
Yes, please, DH! I too love Seiko and Citizen. I have a couple in a box somewhere in storage....I hate moving, especially when I can't find all my things after 2 years.

[greencobra]

I waited the longest time before I opened this thread. A Breitling is on my "to get" list and I was afraid reading this would accelerate my Breitling ETA, so too speak. My edc watch(es) are the Seiko Monsters in BlacK, Orange and Blue. But could easily be replaced. :laugh:

[hanzo]

I LOVE MY BREITLING!!!

Sorry about that outburst, but I do I tell you. Get an automatic, so no need to worry about battery changes. Mine is the SuperOcean SteelFish model. Toughest watch I have ever owned or considered owning. It can handle 6600 feet. That's right...thousand. No typo there. Of course, if I am attached to it at the time, I will have long expired.

I bought mine with the extended warranty for a total of six years coverage, including maintenance.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2074/breitlingsueroceansteelfishplusec3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

As far as fine watches go, it IS a fine watch and is more sturdy and less common than a Rolex. I have a Rolex and Tag Heuer as well and the Breitling is my favorite and EDC watch. The bonus is it is less expensive than a Rolex.

Oh, by the way, I beleive the emergency is available to the general public.

[samson722]

Oh, by the way, I beleive the emergency is available to the general public.


This is very true. I considered adding one to my list, however, after talking to some folks on our SAR team out here, not worth the expense for the PLB. The frequency that Breitling uses for the Emergency is a long-standing emergency hailing frequency monitor by passenger airlines, coast guard, marine vessels and the like. However, with the advent of GPS and with the prices going down on GPS-based PLBs, COSPAS/SARSAT has decided to stop handling the 121.5MHz distress signals entirely by 2009. The biggest reason is that that 121.5MHz PLBs aren't very accurate. They can only provide a location within 20 Km. The GPS-based PLBs are much more accurate and the distress signal is broadcast on frequencies that are more often monitored. Not to mention (a lot of people don't know this) that if you activate a PLB in non-emergency conditions, you could face up to $500,000 in fines. If you can afford a Breitling, you can afford to drop the $400-$600 on a 406MHz or 1.4GHz PLB that's the size of a cell phone.

[samson722]

Didn't mean to sound anti-Breitling at all in that last post. On the contrary, I LOVE these timepieces. I just thought I would impart the info about the PLBs in the Emergency and Emergency Mission. By all means, if you're a pilot or someone in the deep, dark wilds, then it would make sense to have a PLB, but it will only be effective for non-marine use until 2009. That's one hell of an expense for something that won't save your life in 3 years.

[Deaths Head]

Yes, please, DH!* I too love Seiko and Citizen.* I have a couple in a box somewhere in storage....I hate moving, especially when I can't find all my things after 2 years.

Sorry samson.* It's been awhile since I visited this thread and I just caught you post.* Here you go.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/deathshead77/P7270103.jpg

I call it my Ti BabyZ. :)

[hanzo]

Nice watch Deaths Head. I bought my wife a titanium watch several years ago. She managed to lose it within two months. That one hurt.

[samson722]

Thanks for the pic. Sweet watch! I have a couple dressy Seiko's, but I'm thinking of getting a Citizen of some type, not sure which yet.

[bugs]

If I had to choose just one to keep and hand down to my children it would no doubt be my PAM "05. It is a great looking classic and the 44mm size is perfect to me. The Doxa(Carib.) on the other hand , is my most comfortable watch to wear and VERY sporty and rugged. I received my Breitling Chronomat Evolution as a gift and although being a very high quality watch, the dial is not legible to me and it is too"polished" and busy for my liking. It sits in my safe mostly. It also is not very comfortable.

As an everyday rugged watch, I like G Shocks...the "Raysman" being my favorite. I prefer the solar models and the waveceptor feature.

I'll try posting some pics :-)

Hope this helps...I have lots more to share if interested!

[bugs]

some more pics to follow.

[bugs]

Breitling Chronomat Evolution

[Codeman]

Thanks for getting us back OT, Bugs.* That Breitling is gorgeous!

[bugs]

Thank you Codeman :) . It is my only Breitling and the fit/finish, and accuracy is superb!...I'm just into a more "tactical", subdued look....Sinn U series, Fortis B-42, Tutima , etc.

[Hikingcamper]

[quote=hanzo ]
I LOVE MY BREITLING!!!

''Mine is the SuperOcean SteelFish model. Toughest watch I have ever owned or considered owning. It can handle 6600 feet. That's right...thousand. No typo there. Of course, if I am attached to it at the time, I will have long expired.

I bought mine with the extended warranty for a total of six years coverage, including maintenance.''

Hi, I bought the same SuperOcean Steelfish today, how did you get your six years extended warranty? I read from some review saying that the face is no scratch resistant, is it true?

[MandM]

Hi, I bought the same SuperOcean Steelfish today, how did you get your six years extended warranty? I read from some review saying that the face is no scratch resistant, is it true?


Is the face sapphire crystal? If it is... don't worry... it's scratch resistant.

If it's mineral glass/crystal... then you can worry.

However... Breitlings are high quality timepieces... I highly doubt they wouldn't use sapphire crystal.

[tipubuta]

Brietling watches are excellent in my books. However I do not own one as I can't afford any...yet. The most expensive watch that I do have to date is the Tag A1111 and has been my companion for the past 14 years. It was a gift for graduation from MOM. Went through 3 batteries and a full tuneup back in 2006, changed all the bearings, the crown pivots etc.

For certain one day I would want to own a brietling, any model for that matter. A timepiece is for a lifetime IMO

[Codeman]

My Blackbird has tried to occupy the same space as some of the steel door frames at work several times. The Breitling has won every encounter with no damage to the sapphire. ;D

[Kilovolt]

My 1969 Chronomat and my 1987 Navitimer still work perfectly well. The former has been serviced twice and the latter only once:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6179/b48breitlingnavitimer2lw0.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5651/b81breitnav2ng4.jpg

I have a total of five Breitlings but the above two are the nicer ones. :cool:

[stockae92]

I have had two Breitling Super Ocean Steelfish (one old spare sec hand and one new version arrow sec hand)

Both of them were solidly built, bezel were tight with positive clicks, heavy but sit comfortably on the wrist with the curved lugs. the bezel is easy to grap and turn. and just enough polished part on the case (not too bling bling)

Breitling has one of the best and most secure bracelet links design. I think even if 2 link screws fall out, the bracelet will still stay togather one your wrist cause the link and tube is interlinked.

the lume is not seiko or omega bright, but they are decent while the new old seems to have brighter and cleaner lume.

the auto HEV is a nice touch, but 99.99% of people out there won't need it.

one thing to remember, even though the sapphire crystal is scratch resistant, the outer AR coating is not. so you can still mark up the AR coating if you bump it hard enough.

if i am in the market for a up scale tough watch, breitling steelfish or skyland (auto chrono, blingy polished case and bracelet) will come to mind.

speaking of Doxa, i have had a Doxa 750T sharkhunter for a very short while as well. i really like it except for the mismatch in lume brightness of the hands and dial markers. to me, that is not acceptable at that price point.

[insaned]

reading this forums is dangerous to people in ****** mode "must have - must buy" ;D

[speedmaster]

I think they're generally overpriced for what they are. And I don't care much for rider tabs. All that said, I do kind of like the Old Navitimer model.

[bigkahuna]

I've had my Rolex Submariner for over twenty years. I've worn it every day and used it as my dive watch. So far I've only had to have it serviced once. If it's good enough for James Bond, it's good enough for me. And yes, I know he wears an Omega now. :rolleyes:

[goingyard]

We have a breitling in the family. My father bought it years ago when they were a lot cheaper then they are now. We have been wearing it off and on for the last 25 years. It is more of a dress up watch so it doesn't get used as much as it has in the past. I still love to wear it from time to time. My father, brother and I have all switched over to Omegas now for our every day watch.

[igneous]

as much as I love expensive watches, I simply cannot afford to use them. I live a very active life and subject my watches to quite extreme treatment. buying a watch and not wearing seem to be plainly stupid to me. if I own a watch, I want to wear it, not keep it locked up at home and drool over every time I pass by.

I've learned my lesson after I've destroyed a ~$1700 Sinn watch a few years ago. since then I've stuck with cheaper but much more tough Traser timepieces

[Nocam]

I personally think you should check out Bill Yao's watches over at MKIIwatches.com, These are custom made to your specifications: the dial, the hands, the straps, anything. I've always wanted one and for about 600-700 a peice you could save some serious cash over a Breitling. I used to be an expensive watch brand nut, but after years of researching, I feel a Swiss peice is a Swiss peice regardless of what brand it is.