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thomasenlow1 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:59 am

It has come time to start narrowing down the wish list to get to a purchasing decision and plan for the coming months.

I am not quite ready to take the step towards in-house movements, but I do think that there is room to move upwards while staying in the ETA based offerings by the watch world. Maybe after adding a couple more ETA watches I can add an in-house movement as my #1 starter in the rotation.

As for now...I have narrowed the thoughts down to these three and thought I would get your input. I would like to add two of the following three for the following reasons (All pics are borrowed)

-IWC Aquatimer 2000-white dial/bracelet-really sporty, plus the bezel is just sick.

-IWC Portuguese Chrono-White dial/gold numerals-Is there a more classic gents watch? not in this price range

-Breitling Blackbird-I really like the BEB and the standard black dial. Could fall on either side of the fence. (Props to Serge for taking the best pic I have found on the entire web of a BEB Bird)

All are within the same price range, and I understand that they are VERY different watches, but the question is not an "either or" so think about the direction of the rotation more than which is best.

JustinFournier · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:24 am

I'm not a fan on what IWC has been doing lately at all, see some of the recent threads here regarding their recent movements. You posted in this one already so I am sure you are aware but here is a link:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=25325

Not the behavior of a brand I want to support. That crosses IWC off the list for me.

A BB is going to be my next major purchase, so I can't help but say that is the way I would go considering the options.

roman4405 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:34 am

Three great watches right there. The white dial Aquatimer is a hell of a watch and their Portuguese Chrono is just stunning. It's so much more impressive in person that in pictures. As for the Blackbird, well that's never a bad choice.

RJRJRJ · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:53 am

Id say youve got the dressy category covered with the Navi and SOH, so its down to the BB and the IWC. I think id go IWC, just because that how im feeling today.

If it were up to me though, id probably get a used B01 or JLC master compressor chrono over these three.

thomasenlow1 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:03 am

RJRJRJ wrote:

Id say youve got the dressy category covered with the Navi and SOH.

I wear my SOH more as my tool watch than dress watch. Keep it on rubber and consider it my Tahoe. Black and big, but I was actually thinking if I got the AT 2000 first I would sell the SOH to fund the BB. No need to have two divers and lack a sport chrono.

But that Port has been calling my name for a while, and I sort of think that is what the heart wants.

thomasenlow1 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:08 am

JustinFournier wrote:

I'm not a fan on what IWC has been doing lately at all, see some of the recent threads here regarding their recent movements.

I definately see it as a bad move, but being that both of these models have been around a couple of years I was thinking it might be worth getting one of the IWC modified movements. I dont think the newer ones are deal breakers as much as I see it as a bit of a black eye on an otherwise great watch.

The problems I have read about with the new in-house movt are more of an issue I would be concerned with. I cant see how it is even acceptable that some folks are seeing 20+ seconds/day. That pretty much solidified that my first in-house would be an 01.

anez · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:15 am

From this list, the Aquatimer-- that bezel and the overall appearance are really striking and I think could work well in a variety of situations. I actually am not a huge fan of the Portuguese, and while the BB is a great watch, I think the Aquatimer is more 'different' for your collection so I'd go for that first. As Justin pointed out, I've heard a few things about IWC on here that bias my opinion against them a little, but reports on this particular watch seem to be pretty good, so my number one pick would be this.

Sasho · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:25 am

Portuguese and BB my 2 cents. The only thing that stopped me from buying the Portuguese instead my Navi is that there is no date and that is something I use regularly. I know that it comes with a date however, I dont like the setup of the sub dials at 3 and 9 o'clock. If it came with a date and the sub dials at 12 and 6 I would be in business.

jnelson3097 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:58 am

I like the Aquatimer, but then again, I'm slightly biased. Here are some decent pics of mine that I just took for you. I'll be picking up the bracelet sometime in 2011.

And I finally got a decent lume shot

roman4405 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:37 pm

jnelson3097 wrote:

That's some awesome lume, love the bezel.

thomasenlow1 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:40 pm

If I wasn't already leaning towards the AT 2000, that lume shot would be all I needed to push me all the way. Between that and the new BEB pic posted by a new member on another thread, I think the choice is pretty clear. AT and BB are clearly in the lead.

ricardo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 20, 2010 6:16 am

Three excellent choices Thomas.

I would happily welcome any of them into my collection.

The AT gets my vote though. A super tight tool watch and just different enough from every other diver on the market to stand out. And that lume shot from Mr Nelson............. :drool:

Good luck with the decision. Definitely a nice conundrum to have.

mrcheatle · **Posted:** Mon Dec 20, 2010 6:45 am

When I stopped by my local AD the other week I tried one of their Aquatimers on... It was awesome! And the coolest thing was how the straps change over so quickly with their little clip mechanism. That has to be one of the coolest things any watch manufacturer has come up with in a long time!

I'm not too sure if I like the SS Bracelets, but as for the rubber strap.....10/10!

Good luck your decision!

jnelson3097 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:59 am

mrcheatle wrote:

When I stopped by my local AD the other week I tried one of their Aquatimers on... It was awesome! And the coolest thing was how the straps change over so quickly with their little clip mechanism. That has to be one of the coolest things any watch manufacturer has come up with in a long time!

IWC can thank Cartier for letting them use their system. I would recommend buying the Aquatimer on the bracelet due to the fact if you buy it on the strap and then want the bracelet later, it'll cost $1600. I'm not sure what the rubber strap retails for, but it is very comfortable.

[/quote]

thomasenlow1 wrote:

If I wasn't already leaning towards the AT 2000, that lume shot would be all I needed to push me all the way.

You really have to see the lume in person to really see how bright it is. I tried to get a very crisp looking picture, but this was the best I could manage. I love the 2 different color lumes on these.

john123 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:54 pm

I agree with Justin...if you get the AT2000 buy it on the bracelet first and pick up the strap later. You can save yourself a lot of money that way.

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