The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Andrew Michaels are proud and excited to announce that we are now stocking U-Boat watches.

To be honest, when these watches were announced I was of the opinion that they were oversized and overpriced. However, having had the chance to handle and truly discover these watches I am now a complete fan. I am now considering which one I want to buy. The best testamonial I can think of is that Sam is also buying one for himself. He's only ever bought one watch in his life! A Breitling Bi-metal B01, which he subsequently sold.

On first view they do look a little ostentatious. However, there is a story behind the look which goes back to some original drawings created by the CEO's grandfather in the 1940s. The detailing is impeccable and a reflection of their italian heritage.

You really do get a lot of watch for the money compared to most brands of this quality. They are definitely unique and I hope they are successful. I can't see them ever competing with Panerai for the level of passion they garner but I do think they are actually more interesting and as good quality.

Many of them are limited editions of 99, 300, 999, etc. The base model 45mm automatic chronograph is £1800. The solid silver version is £2800. The 50mm ceramic version is £3275. You can't say fairer than that.

Here are a few examples:






















I'd love to hear your opinions, although I do stress you need to see these in the flesh.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Good friend of mine wears one, and I must sag I was quite impressed with it in person. However they are FAR too big for my wrists, that's for sure.

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Breitling navitimer super constellation LE
Omega Ploprof 1200m
Bremont supermarine
Rolex milgauss GV
Olivant and Botsford 40mm Gold edition

Build quality on them does seem pretty good, I did go into an AD to have a look at them in closer detail once but it's definately not my cup of tea

The "Thousands of Feet" model sort of appealed to me to a certain extent, but the lack of sapphire crystal was a bit off-putting on a watch costing £2000 or so. Not sure if they've changed to sapphire now though.

The big round ones don't do much for me I'm afraid, even after trying a couple on.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Hey Jimbob,

Did you know they make a 43mm chronograph? I noticed from your signature you have a 46mm SOHC. The U-Boat will wear smaller than that

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

I'm very keen to see the "Thousands of Feet" in person. However, we were at SalonQP last week and they had every model except these and we have not received our consignment of this model yet. In the catalogue it is quoted as having a "Crystal". The others are quoted as having a "Sapphire Crystal".

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

That display back, imo, is a prime example of when not to put a window on the back of a watch.

I havent handled a U-Boat for a couple of years now, so I dont know if things have changed, but I walked away very unimpressed back then.

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-RJ

There's a store close to my office that has a number of my grail brands and they also carry U-Boat so I see them a fair bit. I depserately want to like them because on paper they fit my criteria of 'different', but I always feel slightly disappointed, and I do have a tough time getting past the pretty standard movement and pretty hefty price tag.

That said, I haven't seen these new pieces in the metal.

Not a brand which has any appeal to me but hope it proves a highly profitable addition to AM's portfolio Rick.

Then you can offer even deeper discounts on Breitling!

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For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
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Agreed. Seeing an undecorated ETA is interesting enough if you've never seen a watch movement before, but to me a DB is about seeing something different (i.e. a unique in-house) or at least some nice fine decoration.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Reminds me of Bell and Ross, at least the hands.

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End of Discussion.