The Breitling Watch Source Forums

After seeing the forthcoming Breitling models at Basel, it became utterly apparent that the brand is moving away from my taste. Actually, it is more like Usain Bolt pace in the opposite direction. My hopes of an improved 40- to 42-mm diver from Breitling were dashed with more rubber bezels, ridiculous fonts and continuously larger models. I purposely hadn't tried on a PO for months now knowing that the temptation would be too much. After seeing the improvements coming for the PO, I decided to jump on a current generation model. The in-house movement would be great and I love the look of ceramic bezels. I truly appreciate the innovations they are bringing to the model while leaving the good features intact. However, this PO will be my daily-wearer for the next 5 years so it will see some abuse. I'm not quite convinced a ceramic bezel will be the best choice in that case. Plus, I imagine the re-vamped PO with LM dial, ceramic bezel, etc. will add a significant premium to the MSRP.

Without further BS…my new 42mm Omega PO. Crappy photos by yours truly.






After less than 24 hours of ownership I can say this watch has everything that I wanted - reasonable size, nice weight without being over the top, great finishing for the price point. The lume on the PO is so far ahead of Breitling’s offerings that it is almost laughable. The flat black dial is understated and very legible. The rubber strap with tang buckle is very thick yet supple, making it incredibly comfortable. Most times I actually forget that I’m wearing a watch. I appreciate that the strap doesn’t taper from 20 to 18-mm as most do. Us small-wristed guys like the feeling of a chunky strap, too!!! While I’ll miss my Superocean Professional, my AD made me an offer I just couldn’t refuse to take in the SOP against the new PO.

My final observations… Breitling really needs to understand the competition. My SOSF GMT will remain my favorite piece but the PO just stomps anything in Breitling’s current generation, sort-of diver line-up. Rant over!

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Steelfish GMT LE (white)

Congrats! The PO is a nice watch for sure.

This would be my next watch if I didn't have so many three-handed watches already. Maybe after the chrono!

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Durable watch, wear it in good health

Congrats! The PO is damn near perfect for its price point and intended use.

I was wearing mine on the rubber dive strap yesterday - I think I like it even more than when I first got it 2 years ago.

Congrats man, I love my PO more and more everytime I wear it. Now that the SF is gone the PO just stomps everything in the Breitling "diver" lineup and I think even gives the Sub a run for it's money.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Thanks for the kind words. I'm still loving this watch overall...no regrets with this purchase. I look forward to having it for years to come and eventually playing with some strap options and most likely the mesh Omega bracelet. My hope is that Breitling will bring out a true PO/Sub competitor in the coming years to bring me back to the brand. Breitling's customer service is certainly top notch in the US.

@roman4405 - I was going to say that the PO was much better than the 16610 in my original post but, I figured the afterglow hadn't worn off yet. After spending some time with my PO and having handled quite a few 16610s, the PO is absolutely the better purchase. I could never commit the funds to the old Sub when I heard the bracelet rattle. Now, I had a drooling issue with the 116610 BUT, that $7,375 MSRP just isn't there for me. Yes, yes - bezel, movement, super-cool clasp...all great things. It just doesn't compute when I can have a new PO and a new JLC Master Control for the same figure. They are asking/getting that much because they can.

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Steelfish GMT LE (white)

Excellant watch value there!

But justin - Turning the bezel on the new Sub is damn near a sexual experience.

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SHARKMAN

One of my favorite watches!!

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
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