The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Yeah you can get tons of choice in your price range if you don't mind something a little older.

I'm going to be listing a Colt Auto II silver dial made in late '08 for $1000+change shortly so if you wait, you will find what you are looking for. Don't forget to check ebay as well.

I just purchased a Colt Chrono w/ silver dial/black subdials for around a grand and I think it is a pretty nice watch for my tastes. It's a well taken care of older watch, but in very good to excellent condition, and I bought it on fleabay from a professional who has sold a few other watches over time, and has, like me, a 100% positive feedback over 12 or so years.
So... in terms of "the cadillac cimmaron of lings," I won't dignify a response except to say that not all of us want or care to spend that much on watches, but still want something nice, or something that IS a Breitling, and its not a money thing that is the determinant always.
I also have a mid-sized Omega Seamaster with the Bond band, and it, to me, is a great watch that I have beaten on (well not really, but have worn non-delicately) for seven years without so much as a niggling problem. Maybe that watch is only the "Camry" of Omega, but still nice to me.

BTW, nice forum, I have picked up some good info. so far.

I can't speak for what MacApple meant when he made that comparison, but I will say that with the Cimarron, it isn't about money - that car really stunk up the Cadillac brand, and never should have been called a Cadillac in the first place, regardless of the price. It just wasn't what a Cadillac was or should have been; it was a Chevy in all but name. I don't know that, in that sense, it's really fair to call the Colt Quartz a Cimarron, because I don't think it disgraces the Breitling brand in the same way, although I think perhaps some people view it as not representative of what Breitling is "about," at least in their minds. I'm not quite sure I agree, but I suspect the comparison is about more than just price.

When I speak of the Colt Quartz being the Cadillac Cimmaron of Breitling , I mean to say its not what you think of when you think of a Breitling. When you think of a luxury brand/watch you surely do not think of a quartz movement. I would think if someone is gonna spend 1k and up on a watch they would want an Automatic, I should of used the metaphor of buying a Cadillac w/o leather seats is more of what the Colt Quartz is in my eyes.

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One Watch At A Time.

The Super Ocean is an amazing watch. I wear a Chrono Super Ocean every day. It is the black face with the Diver Pro II strap. Put simply, I beat the hell out of this watch. I run cable in my facility monthly and have banged the watch against steel I-beams on many occasions. Quite a few of the times, I expected to look at it to see a ding in the case or a cracked crystal. Even with the daily abuse, not even a scratch to be seen anywhere on it except for slight scuffing on the tang buckle. I also swim with it frequently in the ocean. With a simple rinse with soap and water it is looking new again. When I bought my first ling, I was looking at the Colt Quartz to save money. I opted to wait for the ability to buy an automatic that was a bit more rugged, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. I was so impressed with the quality, I recently bought a Navi World for a watch to wear with dress clothes. Whichever model you choose, you can't go wrong, but if you are even the slightest bit unsure with your choice, I would save a few more bucks and get what you really want. Hope this helps.

Staying well clear of any Cimmaron comparisons, but I disagree that people don't think quartz when they think of Breitling. SQ technology is core to Breitling and a number of their iconic watches are quartz powered. One of the best known Breitlings in the non watch community is also quartz - the Emergency.

I really don't understand why some people don't see the Colt range as core to Breitling - they retain the same styling cues, they are COSC certified chronometers and they are damn fine watches.

Hey Mate,

Hang in there and good things will come to those that wait, the other thing is you guys have PX stores (I think that is what they call it) and you might be able to get some discount there.

The other option is wait like we do and when you get deployed and get something then.

Cheers

If you really want to be with a new Ling and only have a grand, if you chat with an AD for the piece you really want, brand new, ..........some do an interest free scheme i believe where you put in your grand and pay the rest on an interest free option........just an alternative !!!

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SUPER AVENGER 563 AIRFORCE BLUE
WHITE SUBS, PRO11 BRACELET

Plenty of sub-$1000 pieces out there. You can pick an Aerospace up on eBay for that. Just be patient.

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For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
http://f4buz.com/watches/breitling/fakes/fakes.html

Alex,
I'm a man that can actually relate to your case.

I had an unfulfilled desire for Breitlings for many many years but my budget on an Enlisted E-5 salary didn't really offer me the amount of money I could comfortably fork over. As the years went by I thought my craving for a Breitling would go away but it never did, it just grew. Luckily, for me, I am a guy in one of those "high speed low drag" career fields and when I re-enlisted for 5 years I got $70,000. My enlistment bonus had Breitling written all over it. Maybe this will be an option for you.

One great option you have is your BX (Air Force), NEX (Navy) or PX (Army) store. Usually these stores don't have them in but if you go online they offer quite a bit from time to time, depending on what their independent jeweler can get them. Keep in mind though, all military BX's are not Authorized dealers, I'm sure you're still getting an authentic watch but you'll never have that peace of mind knowing you have warranty issues covered...with that being said they are $1,000 to $2,000 cheaper and tax free. I forked over the extra money to get it from an Authorized dealer and feel it was worth it.

One more thing I would encourage you to think about is what about a Breitling entices you? Is it looks, or the way it functions, or both? Watches like these are functioning pieces of art. For me, I love the looks but it's the automatic movement that really interests me. So I knew right away I was going to get an automatic.

You have plenty of choices but before you go blow $1K just to get a breitling ask yourself if it's worth it to save a little and put that $1K towards the watch of your dreams. For guys like us, 1 Breitling purchase will probably be our last...so make it worth it.

Check AAFES...often!

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"The biggest difference between time and space is that you can't reuse time". // {Merrick Furst}

I'm retired enlisted so know where you're coming from. I'd suggest you look at a great starter or knock around watch, the dual display Pluton line. I sold a very nice one yesterday for $600. Reliable and easy to fix when needed and keeps great time. My favorite would probably be the Intruder but I also like the more military look of the earlier models. A good choice for one just starting out.

I don't have much to add to this except to say good luck with your quest and ensure that you buy something that you'll value in years to come.

I got my first Breitling by saving (over a few years) some of my sea going allowance as an Able Seaman/ Leading Seaman over here. In fact I’m wearing it to work today as my Navitimer is once again in the “Shop”…

Happy hunting.
AS

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The first thing to remember is: always treat your kite like you treat your woman!

I mean get inside her five times a day and take her to heaven and back!