The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey, i have a question about the Blackbird. After asking a couple questions on the forum, ive come to ask this one. I really like the Breitling Blackbird on the Ocean Racer Strap (black), but a lot of people say the pilot bracelet is different on the blackbird than any other breitling. But i REALLLY want the ocean racer strap, actually no, i want both bracelets/straps, so is it worth getting both? And what would be cheaper, buying the watch with the pilot bracelet and then buying the ocean racer strap separate, or vice versa?

Thanks,
cRaSiAn1030

If you like both, then yes it's definitely worth buying both. They are easy to swap if you buy the right tool.

Conventional wisdon says that you'll be more likely to get a discount whrn buying the watch than when buying an accessory, so you'll be better off buying the watch on the bracelet and then buying the OR strap later.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

The good thing with Breitling's pricing structure is, that it's transparent. The pricing difference between a certain model with bracelet and the same model with leather strap is equal to the pricing difference between this bracelet and that leather strap. So, theoretically, it doesn't matter if you buy a certain model with bracelet or leather strap. But I agree with D8 on the tendency of higher discounts on a pricier purchase.

V.

They both look great on the Blackbird!
The Pilot bracelet for the Blackbird is $1400. by itself. The Ocean Racer is $410. with the rubber strap and deployant clasp. If money is an issue when you get the Blackbird, you save yourself a grand right off the bat by getting the OR strap first, then you can get the Pilot bracelet later. On the other hand, like D8 says, if you are getting a discount on the watch, why not get it on the whole thing, incl the bracelet. Maybe if you get both at the same time, the AD would apply the discount to the OR as well. The regular Pilot bracelet, which is without the faceted edges is $1300, so the special Blackbird one is not that much more. For me, it would be a must with the Blackbird, as the watch is such a "Special Edition" with a lot of unique features.
I believe you can even get the Ocean Racer strap now with either polished or brushed clasp. It is a pretty big clasp, so you will want it to match whichever Blackbird you get.
I have always loved the Blackbird, unfortunately it is just not the model for me, at least for now. At some point, though, if it's affordable, it would probably be my next Breitling.
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

Hey cRaSiAn1030!
Interesting thing, which I failed to mention in the above post: I can totally feel your enthusiasm for this watch in all your postings and questions. I go through the same entire thing myself, when I get interested in, and want a new watch. The one thing that I find most intriguing, is that the age difference, or generation gap, or whatever you call it, appears to be nonexistent insofar, at least, as the love of these watches is concerned. I will be 60 years old this year, and I am often wide awake at night, thinking about my next watch, or what new strap or bracelet I will get for it. I spent countless hours doing research on leather straps for my new Seawolf, both aftermarket and Breitling, before I decided on the Breitling strap. The night before I picked up my Seawolf, I had very few hours of sleep.
Don't get me wrong, I am not being in the least critical of myself. I am more than pleased that there are still many things at this stage in my life that I get so enthusiastic about! No less, in fact, than I was at your age!
I think it is wonderful that you are on this forum, and that you are taking all this time to do the research!
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

buy the bird with a bracelet ....you always can buy a strap later

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-Chrono Avenger ti-sold
-Blackbird-sold
Avenger m1-sold
Skyland
Seawolf

I agree with all said about getting the bracelet with the watch - but the best is of course if you manage to buy both the watch, bracelet and strap together as a package and get the same discount on all items.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Very good point.

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Driver8

Site Moderator