The Breitling Watch Source Forums

As I anticipate my first Breitling, I have been flip flopping on face color. I really am drawn to the silver faced steelfish. When I saw one for the first time in person I was really impressed. After I tried it on, I started to think it was too blingy for daily wear. I usually wear 5.11 cargo pants with a silk button down shirt, sometimes over a black tee shirt(it's my uniform, I'm a photographer). When I saw the silver version on me, it really seemed a little over the top.

The blue face was nice- more subtle. I just don't know about a blue dial..... It seems as though a watch should generally be a very neutral color. The blue on the steelfish is somewhat dark and unsaturated which is the only thing keeping it in the running.

The dealer didn't have a black one in stock. I can't help but feel a black face is a compromise, and I hate to compromise.

So, I'm soliciting thoughts on a silver faced steelfish on the wrist of a guy who usually wears cargos and Tommy Bahama shirts. I am a man who appreciates subtleties, so I'm looking for subtle clues that will help with my decision. Also, for the occasional dress-up day, when I'm in a tux, will the steelfish fit under the cuff of a long sleeved shirt?

Sorry for all the words, but I needed to give a complete perspective.

Just remember, the Steelfish is a diver's watch! Regardless of the dial colour, it was still built to perform the same functions, in a very casual environment. I always feel that you don't have to be in a suit and tie to look smart! Your description of your outfit tells me that this is exactly the type of watch that would suit you, and the dial looks great with anything! I had a Steelfish with a black dial, and wore that everywhere. I don't have a tux, or even a suit, but a couple of casual dress linen shirts. I used to wear that all the time when going out to dine at higher end places. If you don't want as much bling, you can always get a leather strap to wear with it as well. Even a black Ocean Racer strap would look good with that. As far as fitting under a cuff goes, the Steelfish just fit with some of my long sleeve shirts. I never wore it with a shirt that had cufflinks, so I can't say. My feeling is that it might be too tight. I am sure others on this forum could tell you more about that.
Here is a link to a post with the Steelfish on an Ocean Racer strap (blk dial)just to give you some idea:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2832&p=20414&hilit=steelfish+on+ocean+racer#p20414
Just use the search tool at the top of the page as well. You can probably find a few posts with the white dial as well.
Try this link to the Japan website for Breitling. Select your model, then click on "fitting", it will let you try all the combinations and colours of straps/bracelets with your dial colour.
If that is definitely the watch you like best, then go for it!
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

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

I have a silver faced Steelfish that I wear daily. I dress in a tie but I don't like to be too flashy and for me it's the perfect watch. It is on a Pro ll bracelet but I still consider it one of my most subdued pieces. I think it would be quite appropriate for your atire as well but you might consider a black rubber strap. That watch looks great on the black rubber and it would tend to tone it down even more.

I've had 3 Steelfishes over the years (1 silver dial first gen, and 1 siliver dial and 1 black dial 2nd gen) and I think it's possibly one of the least "blingy" steel models that Breitling make. It's not quite as "tool" as the titanium models, but it's not a flashy piece at all really. You can wear it literally anywhere and everywhere IMHO.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Never had a Steelfish, but If you think its too blingy, put an Ocean racer or Leather strap on it. It keeps it more casual an tones down the bling factor. Ocean Racers go perfect with anywatch in the Aeromarine line!

MAC

Nothing is ever BLINGY enough for me....
except maybe this :


I remember last year, I wore my Rolex 18KT Prez on a daily basis for about a month

JUST enjoy them....

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Rolex DeepSea, GMT Master II TT, Pres 18038, DJ TT 16013
Breitling Chronomat 39mm (bullet+UTC), Starliner SS/MOP (wife)

back with ROLEX

I actually consider my silver-dial Steelfish my "dress down" watch (although it dresses up nicely, too). I have mine on a brown leather strap (see pics in thread http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8864). Now that spring is here, I think it looks particularly awesome when I am wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

My next purchase will probably be a Bentley Motors...now *that* I am worried might be too blingy for daily wear... (but I will still experiment and see).

Mofongo

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." --Dave Barry

Thanks for all the input..

I'l probably end up with the silver face.

I'm heading to Stamford CT in a few days. Does anyone know an AD in the area that discounts fairly well?

I don't think it's too blingy at all. I had one for a while, but sold it when I realised I just liked black dials better.

I am wearing my silver Steelfish (on Pro2) right now and it is NOT blingy at all. I do concider it a little "fancier" than my black face on the OR strap. It is super classy and I also have a black Croc that makes this silver one instantly dressy. It is a great watch.



... I should have bought that blue one too....

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I guess "blinginess" is in the eye of the beholder, but as Driver8 said,
the Fish is probably the least blingy of all Breitling models. The white-dialed Fish
is intended to handle any situation with grace and class: diving, a nice quiet
candle-lit dinner, a day at the office... The only thing people will think when
eyeing that timepiece is, "That man sure knows how to pick watches." Get it, wear it,
enjoy it -- and quit worrying!

Steve

I'll jump on the badnwagon too.
While some white-dialed watches can be very stark and eye-catching, the soft, more cream-colored Steelfish dial and brushed case/bracelet leave it very understated. I think it's fine with a suit, I think it's a perfect jeans and t-shirt watch as well.

Again, if you can, head to the store with what you "usually wear" and try both on. Ask a few people in the store if you're unsure, but I think you'll get a pretty good feel that way.

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Coral Dial SuperOcean
Black Dial Avenger Skyland
Arctica Dial Bentley G/T Racing

Coral Club Founding Father

Thanks to everyone for their input...

I puled the trigger today on a steelfish silver face.

Now the hunt for a leather strap!!!!

You went for what you wanted and that was the best choise in my book! Congrats on a killer piece. I think it´s a steal in Breitling line up! Like I´ve said earlier on another thread, I´m in between of getting one myself with the silver dial. Even though I´m much more a chrono kind of guy.

Enjoy the hell out of it!!!

What sold me was the post by monfongo below..



viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8864&p=71343&hilit=steelfish+vegas#p71343

It was this picture that I was most taken by. You can clearly read the numbers on the face. Most of the other images(even from Breitling) don't show the numbers in this contrast. monfongo capture the real world view. And I know, I'm a professional photographer!!