The Breitling Watch Source Forums

My DH is turning 40 on March 9th. He is in love with Breitling watches. It really isn't in our budget as we are in the middle of a major remodeling project...but he works hard and is so deserving..that i'm thinking about just buying him one so he can enjoy it now. There is always something more important to spend our money on...
So, any suggestions on the lower price point spectrum? He is a pretty basic guy, not flashy at all....he tells me all the time how much he wants a Breitling. I find him scouring the internet looking at them (what a dirty little secret..ha ha). He is in national sales in the food service business. So, no suits anymore, mostly just button down shirts and dress slacks. When he's not travelling, he works out of the house. I just want a nice classic piece that he'll have for the rest of his life (or he can upgrade once the kids are out of college!
Thanks,
Kitty

sent you a pm

I would say take a look at the Steelfish. I am not sure what your budget is but you can get a new one for under $2,000. I think the Steelfish is the bust value for the dollar and looks great!! It is a 44 mm watch and I would not go any smaller.

I second the idea of the Steelfish. I have one that I wear everyday mon-fri. It is a fantastic looking watch and it is super functional as far as the waterproof(6000ft). I wear mine on a diver pro rubber strap. I went with this strap for several reasons.

1) it looks awesome with a black dial and the black strap
2) it IS a divers watch and fits well with a diver pro strap
3) leather would look cool but in the summer the sweat absorbtion would be a problem for me (I work out side a lot) and
4) the strap was priced $350 less than the bracelet

I have thought about getting the bracelet as well but only for a change once in a while.

The only down sides to the rubber strap is for people with hairy wrist it might pull a little(Ive gotten used to it)

For the watch.... The polished / brushed case looks fantastic but polishing JUST the polished parts proves to be a little of a chore.

The price point of this watch (in my opinion) makes the Steelfish the best buy in a non-bling Breitling.

now wheres my commission check.....

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

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Life is too short to have a crappy watch.



Navitimer o1 LE
SuperOcean Steelfish
Bathys 100Fathoms Aquaculture
RXW MM20
RXW MM25
Seiko Sumo
Seiko Orange Monster
Movado series 800 diver
Thanks
Terry

I also think that the idea of a Steelfish is great. It is a beautiful looking watch, not too big, but large enough to have a presence on the wrist without being flashy. The strap or bracelet is 22mm, which is just a little larger than some of the smaller models, and that helps also how it looks on the wrist. I am a big fan of the Diver Pro rubber strap as well, and it would bring the cost down as well. Even if you decide to go with the stainless steel bracelet, it is brushed and not polished, but still has a nice sheen to it without being at all flashy.
My second Breitling, which was a SuperOcean, just a bit smaller than the Steelfish, I wore every day for 10 years. It was also a black dial, with the stainless steel bracelet. That watch is still going strong, but on somebody else's wrist, as I traded up to the Steelfish a short time ago.
If your "DH" is not a big guy, then even the Colt Quartz II, or any of the slightly smaller Colt line would be a good option. The GMT model with a black dial and brown leather strap looks amazing. The Quartz II of course, not being automatic (self-winding) is probably the most accurate watch you can get.
By the way, all these models are in the Aeromarine model line. If you go to Breitling.com, you can see them all there. For your budget, I would stick to that line, and also sticking to one line makes the selection process less difficult. In the end, whatever you decide on will be a Breitling, and you can't do better than that regardless of which model or which price. All the memebers in this forum will agree on that! Wish I was there to go shopping with you! Have fun!
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

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

steelfish hands down. The absolute best bang for the buck out of all the lings in the lower price range. Its an every day watch for jeans or even khakis. The white or black face models with the steel band is the classiest and matches with any color in my opinion. Blue limits you to certain color clothes

Just chiming in, regarding what others are posting about with regards to the SuperOcean.

I purchased a Superocean with the black diver pro strap as my second Breitling, and could not be happier!

It has turned into my weekend watch that I feel very comfortable wearing while doing every day chores around the house, working on the cars, planes, etc.

It's just simple enough to be acceptable to wear while doing anything, and will clean up nicely if it needs to make an appearance with business casual clothing!

--Mark

Wow, lots of great information...who knew you men were chatting about watches while us woman were talking designer handbags
I took a look at the aero line and i think they just might fit the bill. The steelfish looks like the ones that he was admiring. We have looked at them before...but usually i get bored and move onto the diamond section..ha ha. SO, i never really paid attention. But that type of classic, basic look is what he seemed to like. He wears a Tag now...i thought they looked the same at the time.
So, my next step is to go shopping, armed with a few styles to look at. Gosh, i would love to spend under 2,000....i totally thought i was going to have to spend like 5,000.
I'm in Mass and we have two authorized dealers around here..well, one in Mass and one i know of in Rhode Island...i assume it's best to buy from one of them.
Hmmm..and the Coach store is right next door to the one in Providence..i can take the 3,000 i saved and spend it on a new handbag!
You guys have been so helpful.
Kitty

Oh Lord.

I would be in so much trouble if there was a large Coach store in my city.

My wife would break the bank.

She's probably on some handbag forum saying the same thing about having a Breitling retailer nearby.



~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Good luck with the shopping! Something nice and still classy in the range is a SO or a SO Steelfish as you've probably seen a few times... I'm sure your husband will love the gift - I would, if the gift was to me.

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

I hope your husband didn't bust you after 26minutes!

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2000 Emergency - Orbiter 3 Edition
2001 Chrono Colt Quartz SQ
2003 Navitimer Olympus
2008 Navitimer

I may be a little late. Steelfish would be my choice too, I have one, but you aren't likely to find one new for 2k. They stopped that model this year and the ones left in stores that I've seen are well over 3k. There is a large nationwide jeweler in vegas who sells warrantied used watches that have been inspected and polished up back to perfect unused condition. They have some mint condition SFs right now for about 2k shipped. I'll pm u their name.

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Well his 40th birthday was over 3 years ago

so so funny....... sorry good laugh

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