The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey guys, I was wondering what your thoughts are are these two watches. I have owned both in the past, and enjoyed them. I have a large wrist so I prefer the 45.5mm PO. I'm not a diver, but like the look. What are your thoughts as far as quality, value, appearance, etc? Just wanted to see what the peanut gallery thinks.

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An ever changing collection.....

They are both great watches. The PO is sleeker, thinner, and a bit more elegant perhaps. Though for me that translated to some boredom as well. Not a huge fan of the bracelet with only a half link adjustment for fine fitting.

The Steelfish is brawnier, bolder, more in your face "look at me." The Pro II is more adjustable and well, it is a Breitling bracelet. 'Nuff said.

Can't go wrong with either one - it's just which end of the spectrum you prefer.

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SHARKMAN

Well I am going to chime in with the SF all the way. I am 100% bais though. Never been a Omegea guy and don't really konw why .
46 are you not the most qualified to answer your own post. love to know your own thoughts?

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

I own a Steelfish and have tried on the PO several times. That said:

Quality: Both are great. From personal history and my research, I think the Omegas are generally a little more accurate. I have heard of some reliability issues with the co-ax, but I don't think they are not that widespread. I love the look of the Omega band, but love the feel of the Pro II. I may be in the minority here, but I think I prefer the turning feel of the Omega bezel. Haven't tried it since I committed to the Steelfish, though.

Value: Don't know the latest PO prices but last list on the Steelfish was $3100 and change. I thought the PO was a little less, and my understanding is both dealers will discount them. I think the PO has more widespread appeal and more retained value on the resale market, plus a bigger market. I think "Breitling guys" are more likely to consider a PO than "Omega guys" a Steelfish. (Apoligies to all female watch lovers) The discontinuation of the Steelfish might impact that, however.

Appearance: Sharkman nailed this, but I would add that if you had only one watch, the PO might be the better choice. The Steelfish has a vibrant-looking dial, the "double AR" effect, and the great combination of brushed and polished surfaces.

Why I bought the Steelfish--I have a Rolex, and the PO case is designed in that same classic style. The Steelfish is different, though to me a classic all its own. I also had just bought my Panerai, and while I bought it, another person in the store showed me his PO. Compared to the Panerai, the numerals seemed to "copycat" the Panerai. That turned me off. I very much respect the PO, but I absolutely love my Steelfish.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

Enough said.

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

I've owned both watches (sold the PO -- sadly it became a vault queen)
and in their own way, they're both wonderful timepieces. The PO, as was
said elsewhere, is a bit more refined, while the Steelfish is, I think, built
more ruggedly, designed to take it on the chin, so to speak. On the wrist,
both watches make their presence known -- I was complimented a number of times
when I wore either watch. I, too, have a large wrist, and both watches
fit perfectly. I plan to keep the Steelfish (since I think they'll become hard
to come by in the future ). Either watch should suit your needs perfectly. Good luck.

Steve
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BREITLING: Steefish, Skyland
IWC: Big Pilot, Aquatimer 2000, Ingenieur

I've never owned a Steelfish and I do own a PO so you can probably guess which one I prefer. As far as quality I think that they're both as equal as you can get. I think movement wise the PO might get the advantage because of the co-axial escapement. Looks are so subjective it's hard to comment on. Sharky prefers the bolder styling of the Fish whereas I prefer the more toned down look of the PO. Either one is a great watch in my opinion but the PO is James Bond's watch so....

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Actually the 45mm PO costs quite a bit more - $4,150 retail versus $3,100 (new price) for the Fish.


I just think these are such very different watches, it's hard to really compare them. I come up on the side of the SF obviously, but cannot fault anyone who would vote PO. In fact the PO is likely a better choice for a very large wrist becasue it seemed to me a longer case (lug end to lug end) than the SF.

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SHARKMAN

Having recently been in the market for a dive watch, I respectfully disagree. If anything, I am more confident that my Omega can "take it on the chin" than a Breitling. The quality of both watches really isn't the issue...I think it comes down to looks and reliability. In my experience, I have found my Omega to keep better time than my Breitling and as far as looks for a dive watch -- i think the Omega has much more of a classic and timeless look to it than the SF.

I'd have a harder choice between the Breitling Superocean and Omega Planet Ocean - but given these two choices, I'd take the Omega any day.

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PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller

Yes, the PO has a timeless and classic look - because it shares *alot* of similarities with *the* most classic and timeless dive watch - the Rolex Sub. The Steelfish, on the other hand, stands on its own with regards to design. As far as I know its looks were not copied or derived from another dive watch. It is both great looking and unique.

For this reason, and a few others, I decided to buy a Steelfish instead of an SMP or PO when I was recently in the market for my first "nice" watch.

While researching my purchase, I must have read every "Breitling vs Omega" thread on the Internet, and came to the conclusion that although each brand has its share of fanboys, and its share of detractors, most people who know watches generally agree that these brands are of roughly equal quality, reliability and prestige.

One of the things I took into consideration is that I didn't want to buy the most popular model of dive watch at this general price point - I wanted something a little more unique. I have friends who own SMP's and PO's...heck one of my best friends has both an SMP and a PO....that reason alone was almost enough to make me choose another brand like Breitling. And, like I mentioned earlier, I didn't really care for the fact that to me the Omega's all resembled the Sub in some way - whether it was the bezel (PO) or the hour markers on the dial (SMP). Omega is not alone in being influenced by a watch produced by another brand - TAG's Aquaracer 300m has elements from the Sub and from the SMP.

The last thing that made me choose the Steelfish was its size. I am a big guy - and larger watches look better on me. The SMP (like the Sub) looks way too small on me. The large size PO was nice, but like I said, I chose to get something equally as nice, but a little more unique.

In the end I don't think you can go wrong with either a Steelfish or a PO. Both come from reputable companies with long histories. Both are clearly over-engineered for what they were designed for. So it all comes down to which one strikes a chord with you, and if you want a watch that looks like every other dive watch, or one that has its own design. My next watch very well might be the big PO.

But before that it his watch was the Submariner.

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SHARKMAN

Boy, was I off. I always tried on the 42. Maybe that was up there, too, but I thought it was around 3. I remember Seamasters selling for a lot less. Then again, the Aqua Terra I like is now $5100. Omega's drive upmarket might be getting a little out of hand.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

roman's response pretty much sums it up for me. The PO is definitely a more refined and elegant looking watch, slimmer case, cleaner lines while the steelfish is more rugged looking. The movement would have to go with the PO also with the co-axial escapement. Apart from price it really is just personal preference.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

And I'd have one of them too if I could afford one.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Actually, before it was the PO, it was the SMP. And before that, it was the Sub. But it was Timothy Dalton, so....