The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Such a magnificient piece...thanks for sharing your evo and info!!!

I have to say, that even though I'm personally not a huge fan of diamonds on gents watches, I do think that the factory diamond bezels are pretty tough to beat. I just think some of the aftermarket ones seem to be trying a little too hard. I think the slightly smaller, but great quality factory diamonds are the classiest you can get...... but for a price obviously! As a reserved Englishman , then less is definitely more in my book.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

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As a reserved Englishman , then less is definitely more in my book.[/quote]

reserved englishman? less is definitely more? coming from a man with a super avenger??

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chronomat evolution mop
bentley motors t black dial

Ha ha!, Well I did put a "wink" with it!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Hi, KW. I'l post here (edited for clarity) some of what I wrote to you via PM. The bezel on my EVO is original Breitling and as on all EVO's with diamond bezel, it contains 1.14 ct of "Top Wesseltons" which are near flawless. They are D-E color, VVS-1 clarity. The watch is an A13356 which means the bezel, like the case, is 316L stainless steel as far as I know. I have never heard nor seen an official statement that the factory diamond bezel on an SS EVO is white gold. The D13356 EVO has an 18K gold bezel and I suspect there is a purity mark <750> somewhere on that bezel, perhaps not. In any case, the contention that white gold is used instead of SS for the factory bezel would need verification IMHO. Breitling OEM diamond watches come with a Breitling diamond certificate as part of the original papers set. In 2007 the list price for the bezel option on a SS Chronomat Evolution was an extra $4500 USD. For 2008 that price increased to $5,125 for the option. Gold prices increased also BTW... the two tone pilot bracelet increased from $1900 to $2200. Even croco straps increased from $400 to $450. Just a few years ago they were $300. I can't really say that the extra cost for the " jewelry" option is justified in any way. My EVO was a 60th birthday gift from wifey so I didn't have much influence on whether it should have the stones or not and whether an aftermarket bezel would have been better justified economically. In any case, even though I never liked diamonds on a man's watch before, I fell in love with this one the moment I saw it. It gets almost as much wrist time as my B-1 with UTC module and I wear the EVO with all type of attire, mostly casual because I'm semi-retired now. I'll say this much for the EVO in this configuration, IMHO it seems to be incredibly photogenic. LOL.
Kind Regards,
Ron

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"The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea"...

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The size of the stone's in Mr. Ron's bezel are perfect.

Cuts are harder to make in smaller stones causing the diamond to be less resilient, They won't refract light as well, and stones will seem very dull.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Ron,

Thanks for the reply. Good write up and read. I am definitely digging the diamonds on the bezel. but just can justify paying for the 4-5k upgrade for the diamond bezel...I think personally for me I would use that extra $ for an aftermarket bezel and pay a lil more extra to get an IWC. But none the less I love the OEM diamond. I bet those diamonds just scream out to you and others when they see it. How do you know what time it is during the day because once the sun hits I would imagine it blinding you!!! in any case, NICE piece and input.

regards,

Kirby