The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm very new to the world of watches. All of my current watches are inexpensive brands like Guess, Diesel, and Kenneth Cole. I have hit a point in my life where I can afford a nice watch. Plus, I've noticed I have 7 or so watches, but only wear 2 or so of them pretty regularly, and of those I wear one in particular like 60% of the time. So I really could get by just fine with 1 really nice watch that I can wear for any occassion. I'm lookign for something I can wear with a suit, but also get away with shorts and a polo. I have no problem buying used. I've seen some really nice used watches that were taken care of and polsihed up to look almost brand new. I would just like to keep how much I spend around 3k, preferably less then 3k though. In my research I found both the Breitling SOH with white face, mesh bracelet, black bezel, NON chrono and Planet Ocean to be available brand new right around that 3k amount. If you have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them, just be specific so I can google them.

With that said, between the Planet Ocean and a Breitling SOH with the mesh bracelet, white face and black bezel, which do you folks like better? Please keep in mind that I will be wearing it with shorts and more formal functions where I might wear a suit. I was innitially drawn to the SOH, but the mesh bracelet has me on the fence. It looks different, but in my opinion seems dressy. Can that be worn as a daily watch? Do you think that particular watch is too flashy/dressy for daily wear or with shorts, etc...?

Any advice you guys can provide me as I go through my search would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure their is at on of knowledge and experience on this site, so feel free to educate me.

One other question, if I buy from an online authorized dealer, such as prestigetime, or one of the others, how can I get the watch checked out to be sure it is authentic? Do I just take it to a local jewlery store/ authorized watch delaer, such as Mayors or Sol Time here in Florida and will they be able to check it out for me? Do they typically charge for that, and if so what does that usually cost?

Thanks eveyrone! I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Don't generally comment on A vs. B because it's a personal decision, but others will provide their thoughts. In terms of buying from the grey market, you'll get a real watch from the legitimate companies but you won't get a warranty, and in all likelihood you can negotiate just as good a price from an AD.

Hands down Planet Ocean for me.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

I like the Planet Ocean as well. I love IWC's more dressy watches, but they are way more expensive so that rules them out.

Planet Ocean by far!!!! You can get them from a ad for the same or even better than most grey markets.

I really like this one with the orange numbers!!

What do you mean? What are "grey markets"? Is that the used watches? Are you saying that I can buy a new Planet Ocean from an authorized dealer for the same or maybe even a better price then a used dealer? What authorized dealers do you guys recommend?

I really really like the white face on a watch. If the planet ocean came in a white face I would buy it in a second. I noticed this speedmaster model # 3506.31.00

If you google that model number you will see it, what do you guys think of this one?

Not a fan of that speedy but the PO that was posted with Orange Numerals is the nicest PO in my opinion.

Grey Market is essential a non-authorized dealer. Prestige Watches, Authentic Watches, Jomashop, Time of Switzerland...all of those sites sell authentic watches but they considered grey market because they're not authorized dealers. The downside to purchasing from them is the lack of Factory Warranty.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Not even close for me- the PO, black dial, black bezel, orange partial arabics.

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SHARKMAN

As Sergio explained, grey market sellers are non-authorized sellers of authentic, new watches. They typically sell for under retail, so they seem like a good deal at first glance. However, as has also been noted, many authorized dealers will offer discounts to the extent allowed by the manufacturer, so you can often get just as good a price from an AD as from a grey market seller. Also, if you get a watch from a non-authorized seller, it won't come with the manufacturer warranty, which is a big disadvantage. Furthermore, some grey market sellers (but not all) sell watches with the serial numbers removed, in which case you won't ever be able to have manufacturer service done on the watch, even at your own expense. Many grey market sellers do sell with the serials intact, though.

In general, you should be able to get a used watch for less than a new one. One advantage to getting used is the initial owner has taken the hit on depreciation. Disadvantages include not knowing how the watch was handled by the previous owner(s), possibly not knowing the service history (although some sellers keep records), the watch possibly no longer being under warranty (depending on the age, and where it was originally purchased), the risk of being scammed, etc. Having said that, a lot of people buy used and do just fine with it. You would be well advised to post pictures here of any used watch you're considering buying, before you buy it, to let the experts weigh in on whether or not it's legit.

As for your original question, I'd go with a PO. Personally, I like the Liquidmetal editions of the PO, although they're more expensive, and are rather hard to come by.

Grey market = non authorised, like PrestigeTime.

There are two US based sponsors of the site for Breitling, you would have to contact them to find out about Omega - contact jnelson3097 for details of Govbergs and FEAR for details of Provident

That's my favorite too. I'm not a huge fan of the Orange Bezel ones though.

Personally I think the PO blows the SOH out of the water.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

If you are really wanting a white dial diving watch check out the IWC Aquatimer 2000. Mine should be here thursday and I cant wait. SOH is a nice watch and I hated sending mine off, but it was just too large for me to consider it with anything other than short sleeves.

never been a huge Omega fan, but the brand and particularly the PO have a huge following. You really cant go wrong with any of the above mentioned watches

PO for me too, easily (and I'm another one who has owned both).

Nothing wrong with the SOH, I really liked mine, but in terms of design and execution I think the PO leads its class.