The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Guys,

Advice on what to go for as a long-term investment/good looking piece:

1. Breitling Black steel with black leather strap
2. GP Sea Hawk with brown leather
3. GP 250 Testarossa Chrono with Alligator strap
4. AP Safari with Croc/Alligator strap

thanks

Long term investment - none of them, watches make lousy investments.

As a good looking piece - well that has to be a personal choice. Traditional wisdom will likely say that the AP is the 'best' watch, but only if you like it.

Roff, any particular reason apart from looks? Movement, manufacture, "it" factor, materials, design, robustness?
I believe the AP Royal Oak Safari is in the +US$10000 range with a long waiting list?

thanks

Blacksteel Breitlings are becoming common now - Breitling is throwing DLC at multiple models and with no indication of them stopping. They are also difficult to maintain in pristine condition as it's a surface coating.

The GPs are nice watches, the 250 is probably more collectable, although I prefer the Seahawk, but GPs just aren't as well known as some of the other brands and don't necessarily have the fit and finish of an AP.

In terms of the Safari - ROOs have long had a strong following and the best comments on the Safari probably come from Altair who just bought one - viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18391

In terms of price, if you can afford to spend the money then price is irrelevant - don't buy to sell because you will lose if you buy new, but if buying to keep then why compromise with a watch that you don't like as much?

AP as a brand are spoken in the same hushed tones as PP and Lange, so in terms of "it" factor then the AP is some margin ahead. Additionally, as we have recently discovered from Altair, the movement is now in-house as well, so it's also got that going for it.

That said GP is also a great manufacturer with a number of in-house movements. I'm not familiar enough with with to say whether they are all in-house, but I know that that the Sea Hawk is. Again GP are very well respected although not quite a high as AP.

Breitling, as we know, make great watches and with the B01 movement they enter the realms of being considered as a manufacturer. However the Blacksteel models do not house the B01 movement, so from a refined horological perspective that model is below the others you have mentioned. Indeed as a brand, Breitling are not considered as "high-end" as GP and certainly not AP.

However having said all that, personal preference is what you should always base your decision upon. Having the most high-end wacth in the world means nothing if you don't actually like it!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Great response guys. Seems that in-house, exclusive manufacture are as important as looks. I have also seen the Ulysses Nardin Quadrato which is beauty.

As you seem to indicate the Black Steel is more of a novelty and lacks the cachet and in-house movement.

thanks

Much worse...its about $20,000

Its just one of the "hottest" watches out right now. Its not even very old, but its already headed for classic status.

_________________
-RJ

I agree, none of the watches you list above are investment pieces.

However i'd buy the AP Safari from that bunch - something I am also considering after Altair's review.

You can pick one up on TZ I believe atm slightly second hand but LNIB for $13,500. Usually about the $14-15k range.

As for an investment piece, look to Panerai and pickup a 127 Fiddy. Something else I am looking at.

_________________
PAM359M | PAM311L | PAM305L | PAM219M | PAM292K

I do not know about investment, but the AP will hold its value very well, especially if you buy second hand. Just make sure you get a model with the in house movement!

Nothing wrong with the others, if you like the watch go for it, and try not to worry about the value. Watches are not as bad as cars, but they still depreciate initially.

_________________
Certified watch nut.

Long term investment? A limited/special edition Panerai.

Stroke gold with the PAM217 i sold.

_________________
Panerai PAM212 | Panerai Diver Strap
Panerai PAM111 | Black Croc Strap
Omega Planet Ocean | SS Bracelet
Rolex Submariner | SS Bracelet (Sold, Awaiting Funds)
Breitling Navitimer Olympus | Brown Croc Strap (Arriving)

IMO, the Panerai 339 is gonna go through the roof.

Amen. I have yet to see/handle one

_________________
Panerai PAM212 | Panerai Diver Strap
Panerai PAM111 | Black Croc Strap
Omega Planet Ocean | SS Bracelet
Rolex Submariner | SS Bracelet (Sold, Awaiting Funds)
Breitling Navitimer Olympus | Brown Croc Strap (Arriving)