The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Sold my Breitling a few years back and had a couple Oris models but have had no watch for about a year. Long story short, I get contact dermatitis on the underside of my wrist if I wear a watch more than once a week. Who wants to have a nice watch and not be able to wear it? Anyhow, I am thinking having a rubber strap or leather instead of a bracelet might help me be able to keep the watch on 5-6 days a week like I want.

I am looking at the ocean racer or leather and have narrowed it down to 3 models:

SOH 42 silver dial w/black bezel on OR or brown leather

Superocean 44 black dial ivory on ocean racer

Colt 44 black dial on ocean racer or black leather (i know i know its quartz)

I don't know much about dermatitis and what has irritated your wrist but will suggest you borrow a rubber or leather strapped watch first, or assume that you have looked into it and deem them not to be an irritant to you.

I am a huge advocate of rubber straps as they are extremely comfortable and versatile: there are so many guys in my office who wear high end watches with rubber straps and it looks great with suits. Plus, the reason I was drawn to the brand, with the versatility of Breitling's it is easy enough to swap a rubber and leather strap by yourself. And for those naysayers that are going to mention how tacky rubber is, or it's meant for their kid then they should get their kid an AP or Hublot.

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Current:
Chronospace Silver, Black Ocean Racer
Navi World Silver, Aero Classic
Chronomatic 1461 Bronze, Bronze DP-1
SA White, Diamonds, Pro 2 Diamonds
SA Black, Bentley Rubber
Navi 1461 LE, Black DP-1
Chronomat GMT Silver, Pilot

A number of the aftermarket companies will do straps with hypoallergenic linings so that might be an option - even consider a bund style strap with the leather under the watch case.

I'd always thought it silly to have a rubber strap on a multi-thousand dollar/euro/pound watch, but post #2 above has got me rethinking it.

Good advice before spending the money, to try one and see. I used to get dermatitis from cheap straps but have never had a problem with SS bracelets. Best of luck.

And there's nothing wrong with a nice quartz watch.

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Breitling, Omega, Rolex... what can I say, I like Swiss watches.

Thanks for the tips, I tried an Oris C titanium case and bracelet which was supposed to be hypoallergenic and it was better but the irritation still occured after a while. The sales rep at the AD told me some people put some plastic tape on the inside part of the clasp that contacts the skin and this seems to help. I suppose I could always alternate wrists and wear the watch on the right side sometimes but not sure how that would feel! At this point I am dying for a watch, I can survice in the long sleeve weather but now that it is warm I feel naked without one!

I am looking at ordering from Jomashop or Prestige Time. Budget is a concern as I must be under $3000!

You realise that both of those are grey market and therefore offer no factory warranty right?

Might be worth contacting the two US based ADs to see if they can help - jnelson3097 for Govbergs and FEAR for Provident.