The Breitling Watch Source Forums

For some reason I'm looking to pull the trigger on something, well... Different

Clearly u boat and b&r are two very recognizable watches but which one comes out ahead? Does anyone have any input on the build quality and any other factors that puts one on top of the other?

All the pros and cons are much appreciated!

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Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

Even though the BR01's are a very large wrist presence, they are NOTHING compared to the sheer size of a U-Boat. If you haven't had them on your wrist, you will instantly love or hate them both. I find them both a bit too large for my taste, even with a 7 1/2" wrist. The Bell & Ross Phantom I have is the BR03 (smaller version) and it is without a doubt the slimmest and most comfortable watch in my collection. There is a lot more going on with the dials and cases of the U-Boats and if they had a "mini" Boat I would probably own that cream colored Flight Deck.

Having said that, my Phantom might be on the "watch reduction" list. And the only real reason is the non-in house movement and that it's not getting worn that much. But nothing but the daily Steelfish and the Pam 312 gets worn much!

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

B&R every day and twice on Sundays.

Just feels much better quality to me. Movements aren't really a differentiator between them but B&R just seems to have so much more to them than U-Boat which just seems to be a bit 'one note' - all size and not much else (to me).

yup

Any thoughts on the BR 03 TYPE AVIATION STEEL? Thought this would be different.

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Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

I vote YUCK! But I snub all digital / quartz.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

x2

Not a fan of the BR 03. The BR 02 is the best range that B&R make IMO, with the chrono being the pick of the bunch.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Definetely +3.

B&R has always been one of my favorite brands.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

I owned a BR Type Aviation for about 2 days before mailing it back to the dealer. The looks up close didn't justify the price. The latest Aerospace is a much nicer watch, and it has a backlight.

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ffeelliixx,
Bentley Supersports Light Body | Bentley GT | Navitimer World | Navitimer 50th Anniversary | Montbrillant Datora

I guess the major question to ask yourself is: if spending that amount of money for aesthetics alone is more important to you than a true manufacture with in-house movements, then the answer would be yes, choose a B&R or U-Boat. Personally, I would buy a watch with an in-house movement. Just my opinion.

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Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish - 2009
Breitling B-2 - 2002
Rolex DateJust 18k/ SS (1984 vintage)
Omega Seamaster (1958 vintage)
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece MP6318 - 2003
Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph CV2013-3
Victorinox DiveMaster 500

Yea I agree... I saw one at a local store store this afternoon and I think I would be more interested in the BR01-92 or 03-92's.

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Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

In house movement always seems to be a differential. Some of the WIS don't like ETA based movements. Even more don't like quartz. I can say that my first "nice watch" was an Airwolf. I can also say that it is not my current favorite. I also think that the Bell&Ross line looks pretty cool. The only thing keeping me from owning one is the fact that many of them look like a dial from an instrument cluster on an airplane. Perhaps I will change my mind in the future. While I do think their watches look good, I am not interested in them at this point.

R/

Bell & Ross's BR01 and 03s ARE supposed to look like airplane instruments. That is their niche.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I'm aware of that. I just don't want to wear an aircraft instrument on my wrist at this time.

To the OP, the vintage line is quite appealing. Their domed crystal is pretty cool.

R/

Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of B&R, but I'd take one over a U-Boat any day of the week. U-Boat, regardless of its innards, look like toys and IMO, are "fad" watches. I don't see any U-Boat watches that we'll be discussing on these boards 10 years from now. They look like plastic and are extremely overpriced for what they are...just check out eBay and see how many you can find for upwards of 75% off retail.

Say no to the U.

BTW, you may want to check out Anonimo watches. Definitely something "different" and a much better, quality timepiece - large and solid with excellent movements compared to U-Boat and you can most likely find a new or used timepiece in a reasonable price range.

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PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller