The Breitling Watch Source Forums

First of all, I would like to say that this is my first post, and I have been reading this message board and enjoying the information and pictures for many weeks now. This place is great!

I have been struggling with the decision about which Breitling to buy. This is a very special purchase because my mother passed away and I want to spend some of the money she left me on a watch that I will keep forever and pass along to my son someday. Thus, I want something timeless, that won't seem too big or too flashy or too trendy 25 years from now (i.e. when I am old and tastes have changed).

I think I have narrowed it down to one of the following watches:

The Super Ocean Heritage 46, black on SS mesh

The traditional Navitimer with White dial with a black croc band


I love them both. I am leaning towards the Super Ocean Heritage because I have tried both of them on at my AD several times and the Super Ocean Heritage just takes my breath away because it is so beautiful. Surprisingly, even though it is 46mm, it doesn't seem too big on my wrist. But I fear that the SOH might seem too big some day if watch styles trend toward smaller size. The Navitimer is pretty cool, but it is sort of busy for my tastes and I'm not very into flight (which it represents to me). The SOH is cheaper and I could actually get it and a Tag Carrera Twin Time on black croc for about the same price as the Navitimer (the Tag is not exactly a Breitling, but the Carrerra Twin Time has a simple, sporty, every day look to it that I really like).

What would you do? What would you get as your first, special Breitling? A related question - do you think that both watches could wear well with a suit and with a pair of jeans? Do you think the SOH could be considered a "dress watch"?

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

Flubby

First off Welcome th the forum and second sorry for your loss.

What a fantastic way to remember your Mom by.

I like both watches but feel (and this is my opinion) that the navi will look class with a pair of jeans and wear very well with a suit..

The SOH on mesh I would class as a dress watch and wear it with a suit / smart casual and might look slightly odd with jeans mainly not for the watch but the strap that it is on.

Both pieces I think are timless and you son will be very happy to have either now if he is old enough or in 25 years or so.

Regards,

WD

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Polished Chronomat Evolution Graphite Dial

Its got to be the watch that saved Breitling, the watch that is synonymous with the brand....


the Navitimer

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

i agree with 1952, i lost my dad in 2007 and he left me his treasured 1960's 806 navitimer and everytime i wear it or look at it i know he is with me.

youll never regret it!! or have 2 kids and get 2 breitlings

Agreed, get the Navitimer. Its timeless and greatly resembles Breitling.

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NavitimerNut

Im not gonna give my preference, as I dont believe that it should have any impact on your choice. It seems like you want the SOH, so thats the one you should get. If you buy based on what "might" be the future trend, the only thing you can be certain of is that you will miss out on the joy you would have had from all the present years.

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-RJ

I just recently got my first, a Super Avenger, under conditions very similar to yours. My father passed away about three and a half years ago and for my college graduation, my mother bought me my watch, from him and her. I also wear his wedding band, and have everyday since I got married in 2007. No matter which watch you decide to buy, the idea of having a little bit of her, that close to you, everyday, will do wonders for you...get the watch that really talks to you...

Welcome to the forum. My condolences.

As for your choice, both are great. Classic aviator style vs classic diver style. Though I really do like both of them the Navitimer screams breitling to me.

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It has already been said. Buy ther watch you cannot take your mind off of, or cannot take off of your wrist. Whichever that is, and you already know, it will always remind you of your mother. Therefore, it will always be special and you will never let it go.

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

I can't say it better that that. This is an extremely personal decision, and your heart has to rule.

What I will say is that the size of the piece should not be relevant. There is so much discussion about the size of watches but to me it is completely irrelevant. At times I wear watches that are only around 35mm and 60 years old. No one has told me that it's too small, although I get a lot of compliments on the fact that it doesn't look like modern watches.

Get the one that will make you think fondly of your Mom.

Sorry for your loss Flubby, but what a great way to remember someone so close to you.

It seems that most on this thread are opting for the Navitimer and I have to agree. Both are superb pieces and I have the latest Navi in my collection (the SOH is next on my list) but for me, the Navitimer IS Breitling. It's a timeless piece, which will look great on any wrist now or in the future. It also looks great underneath a suit or above a pair of jeans - very much 'a man for all seasons'. I didn't buy my Navi because I intended using it as a pilot...I just bought it because that's what I liked, which is what I think you should do. By all means, listen to opinion, but go with your heart.

And when you do eventually make your mind up let us know (pics included)

Good Luck

Hey Flubby,
I agree with all the above, especially that you have to get what you feel best wearing. The SOH is incredible, with the black and mesh, one of my favourites. As the name suggests, it is based on an older model. The Navitimer is classic, and I think they both look good with anything.
Besides that, get one and I bet that you will get another somewhere down the road. It is an addiction! I had my first Breitling for about 5 years, a Colt Quartz, then traded up to a SuperOcean which I had for 10 years. It is still a beautiful watch, although someone else now has it. Since last January, I have purchased 3 Breitlings, so it really is an addiction!
Try them both on again, and just go with the one you like the best. Whenever you are ready to pass it on, it will still look great!
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

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

I would like to thank everyone for their thoughtful condolences.

I'm headed over to my local store to look at the black SOH on SS mesh and the white Navitimer on croc today to check them out side by side. I hope I am able to make a decision, but the problem is that it is SO hard to pick one. I completely agree that I will be getting more than one Breitling in the future, but this will be the one that represents my mom to me. My decision is made harder by placing so much value on which of those two watches would "mean more" to me. I think the SOH is stunning, but it is sort of a more sporty watch and I can't explain why, but the Navitimer with a croc band seems more like an heirloom piece than a dive watch with a SS mesh band.

I've been going over this in my mind for months and I can't decide. I was also considering an IWC Portuguese Chrono, a Girard Perregaux Vintage 1946 and some others, but I keep coming back to the Breitlings.

I hope I can make a decision.

Best of luck! Don't wear it home, make them pack it up for you in the bakelite and, and then the hard-board box, and then the white distributor box, with all of the writing on the outside, and then into a bag, so that when you get home, YOU get to open it! Now that, is a great experience! Woo WHoo!!! Just talking about it makes me wanna go buy another!

welcome aboard.

condolences to you and your family.

Alot of great suggestions have been made. Even the Chronomat Evolution is a nice watch.

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GOTTA LOVE BREITLING!!!