The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've been lurking for a while now and doing my research on Breitling. I originally thought about Omega, but the more i research this, the more I want a Breitling. I think i've got it narrowed down and I would like some help from the community if some of you dont mind.

1. I presume all of the Automatics have Sweeping hands, I'm not even sure if its possible for it not to, but figured i better check.
2. The models i'm looking at are the Colt Auto, Steelfish, and SuperOcean. Is the SuperOcean the only one that is fully polished?
Do you guys see any positives or negatives to those three? ie Calibers, bracelet, etc.
3. I'll be on Vacation in West Palm Beach in about 3 weeks, do you know of any good places to go vs Tourneau?

I'm not opposed to grey market, but I think i would rather spend a few hundred and purchase from an AD. From what i've gathered, I should try to get 15% off from an AD, does that sound about right on those models?

Thanks for your help in advance, sorry about the length.

Martin

1. Yes. They all have sweeping hands.

2. SO, SOS, and Colt Auto all have a caliber 17 movement. All of them come with a Professional II bracelet. SO and Colt Auto are fully polished. SOS has a brushed bracelet, and a brushed and polished case and bezel.

They are all very similar watches. It comes down to dial design, size, and water resistance.

Hi Martin!
I was making a similar choice to your's a few months ago. I had a SuperOcean which I purchased in 1997, and decided it was time for a change, to make a long story short. It was an excellent watch.
I was looking at almost the same ones as you plus the Colt GMT. The GMT is really shiny, if you want shine! It has a very shiny face similar to the Steelfish, but all numerals instead of the round hour markers of the Steelfish.
The Colt and SuperOcean have a slightly smaller case than the Steelfish, which is 44mm as opposed to just over 40 for the other 2. Also, what I like about the Steelfish is that the lug width (distance between lugs where the strap or bracelet joins the case - same as bracelet width) is 22mm instead of 20mm. With the wider bracelet/strap width, the slightly bigger case and a bit thicker, it really looks like a lot more watch. It has a fantastic dial, which itself is really shiny, so the brushed bracelet, and brushed top of the case and bezel suit it really well. It still gives plenty of shine. It is slightly more money, but I think it is one of the best valued Breitlings. I guess you can tell I'm sold on the Steelfish! I kept the SuperOcean and still got 20% off the Steelfish.
Sorry I can't recommend any dealers where you are going, though.
Whichever model you get, you are making a great purchase. I just think the Steelfish is the best value, and the most "imposing" of them.
Happy times in West Palm Beach, a lot of the fun is in the hunt!
Cheers,
Carl

_________________
'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

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

Thanks RJ and Carl for the advice. It's going to be a tough decision for me, this is worst than buying a car. I found a local AD here called BC Clark jewelers. I have a friend that has bought several items from them, so I think i'll drop a visit this weekend and try some of them on. If you have any recommendations on a good place to purchse, please PM me.

thanks again,

Martin

Have you seen the watches in person? There is a big size difference between the colts/so and the fish..

I am small wrists and the SO looked on the small side

I ordered a blackface fish on pro2..should be here next week..

I personally love the SO chrono but it is more expensive which I cannot justify over the steelfish

Oh, and to answer your question about a discount..

I personally wouldnt buy if I didnt get at least 15%. Some dealers will do more or less, but 15 is a solid deal. Go to Breitling.com and find the local ADs around where youll be and check them out. Most of us have had better luck at small, independent stores...and many will tell you to avoid Tourneau like the plague...unless you like being treated like a jack-ass (but they do usually have a great selection).. Shoot for 20% or more and see what develops. If none of them make the price work for you, make sure you at least decide on the one you want in person, so that you can request an out of state AD from somebody here who can give you a deal that works, mail it to you, and save you on sales tax.

Oklahoma?

I work in Oklahoma.

Boomer Sooner!

1. Automatics do have sweeping hands. Chronograph autos will have a smaller sweeping hand located in the subdials.

2. The SuperOcean and Colt are polished. If it were for me, I'd choose the SuperOcean with a black dial (Sorry Doc). I'm a sucker for a black dial timepiece (I love the SuperOcean Chrono!).

3. For retailers in the area you are visiting, check out www.Breitling.com for the retailers address and phone number. As far as discounts, larger discounts are of course found through non-AD's online, but I would expect a minimum discount of 15% on these pieces through an AD. You'll find 20-23% off on these models through a reputible online dealer.

Take care, and have a great trip!

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

thanks for the advice above. I just came back from BC Clark who is an AD here in OKC. I tried on the SuperOcean, Colt auto, and the Steelfish. I really liked all three, but i'm now convinced i want a SuperOcean w/ Blue face. THe size was just right and I like the finish.

THe AD had the Colt Auto at $2240 and the SuperOcean at $2420. These were the most recent models and had the triangle on the end of the second hand. He offered 10% off those prices, stating that these were the "old prices" and that 10% off is the best he could do. He said that they are suppose to raise the prices to the "new prices" in the next week.

What do you guys think of those prices? Do they seem high? I'm now starting to think about an AD out of state or one that is maybe a year or two old. Grey market is an option I guess, but i'm still unsure. Feel free to PM if you have any suggestions.

Martin

New colt price is $2695, and the superocean is $2845.
10% off the old prices is probably a great deal, even though I cant be assed to do the calculations...

If you like the AD in OKC, and they have the watch you like, at the old price (most ADs only have new prices now) with 10% off, I would go for it. Once you establish a good relationship with a Breitling AD, I think that goes hand-in-hand with enjoyment of the watch. You are better off not going grey market, or anything on the internet, I think. Once you are paying over a couple of grand for a great watch, the couple of hundred you might save is not worth it in the long run. I guess I sound like a commercial for Breitling, but I don't have any affiliation at all except that I am a loyal customer, and loyal to the AD where I shop. Most of the time, once they have your business, they will go out of their way to keep you as a satisfied customer, and any problems you may have will be dealt with fairly and in a professional manner.
Just get the SuperOcean with blue dial, and enjoy! I had my SuperOcean for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007, and it is a wonderul timepiece.
Cheers,
Carl

_________________
'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

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

i was in a similar situation about a month ago but it wasn't too difficult for me to decide as i was looking for one with a second time zone and one with a small face for my wrist size. so i went with the colt GMT. awesome watch, with very clever design. when i was looking at the price then, the price just went up. the new price is about 2900 vs 2400 for the old price. so, when factoring in the 10% discount, it is somewhat of a decent deal.

SO is a great looking one and in fact, you won't go wrong with any of the three.

i'm also in okc and work one block from bc clark downtown (probably too close). i would rather buy local, but i just don't see why get 10% off or more just to give it back in sales tax. there are two shops just in northpark in dallas that i'm sure would cut you a break and ship it to you and you would save the tax. the only difference might be on this particular watch still being listed at the old price.

Thanks again for the advice. I decided to go ahead and get the SuperOcean Blue. I was very tempted with the steelfish, but its just too big for me. I know I'll be happy with my decision.

I used the forum AD and he is suppose to overnight it to me. I"m having him send it to me at work, so hopefully i wont have any complications of signing for it. I figured with the discount, no tax, and old pricing, it couldnt get much better.

One question though, the model is a1736011 c589. Is that the latest one? It seems like some have the square box on the second hand and some have the triangle. I dont know which is which.

Thanks again for all of your help with my first Breitling!

Martin

As far as I know the one with the triangle on the 2nd hand is the latest version. The Colt GMT & SO still have the square end I think.

So............photos in the gallery soon eh?

Well done & welcome to the forum BTW.

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Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

Square dot is the older one. As long as your was manufactured within the past year or so, it should have the triangle.