The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I need help deciding what to get next.

First let me tell you where I'm at with my collection and what I feel I need to have a well rounded collection. I have a TAG Formula One Chrono on SS bracelet, a Tag Aquaracer Caliber S Regatta on SS bracelet, an Armand Nicolet M02 Chrono on black Croco, and a Breitling Colt Auto II on blue calf. I really want my next watch to either have or go well with a brown croco/leather strap. I also want a manual watch at some point.

So I really like the Breitling Navitimer series (Navitimer, World, or Montbrilliant) with a white/silver face and brown strap, but it's not a manual watch so I will still need to get another watch later on. That's where the Panerai comes in. The Panerai 111 is manual, has an exhibition case back, and looks great with a brown strap.

What do you guys think? Pros and cons on both would be a big help.

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Armand Nicolet M02 Chrono Black Face/Black Croco Band (My Favorite)
Armand Nicolet M02 Day & Date White Face w/ Brown Croco
Colt Automatic II Blue Face and Blue Calf Skin Band
Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre S Regatta
Tag Heuer Formula One Chrono

Don't have any pros or cons for you as both are great watches and its really down to your personal taste.

Having owned a PAM112, Montbrillant Legende and currently a Navitimer World I personally would take those 2 Breitlings over the PAM anyday. Don't really know why but I just preferred the look of them over the PAM. I thought the minimalistic look of the 112 would do it for me but it wasn't long before I realised I liked 'clutter' better!

Cheers

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

I haven't owned a Navitimer (yet) but did have a PAM 005 for a short time - grew tired of it quickly, not sure exactly why. Would rather have a Navitimer, just waiting for the right one.

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Do you have a dial/function preference? The PAM and Navi are somewhat polar opposites in that regard: the PAM is a standard watch with an almost minimalist dial, whereas the Navi is a chrono with a very busy dial. The PAM wins for lume, if that matters to you at all. Also, those 44mm Luminors are pretty big and chunky. The Navi/Montbrillant ranges cover a lot more ground in terms of size.

Personally, I'd go with the PAM (although it would have to be a 40mm model), but that's based purely on my own personal preference. The Navi is still a great watch.

I would go for the Navitimer, but I really like Navitimers. However, if you want a chronograph which is a little more elegant in my opinion than the Navitimer and less busy i.e somewhat minimalist may I suggest IWC's Pilot Chrono Reference 3717.

And as far as Panerai's have you looked at the 000

Either way they are all great cool watches & they should all put a smile on your face!!!

Cheers & Good Luck!

Enezdez

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IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

I love the look of the Navitimer. It is "Breitling" to me. The only thing I don't like, and perhaps why I don't own a Navitimer, is the water resistance level. While I would like to own a watch from this range, I can't see owning a watch I need to worry about getting wet.

R/

i think of the 2 i would lean towards a navi. dont take me wrong Panerai makes a quality piece but i just feel that you get more of watch with the navi JMO

Thanks for all the advice so far!



Dial/function preference? None. I like the minimalistic look of the Panerai and I love the classic look of the Navitimer. I already have three chronos and one non-chrono so that isn't important. I guess the big question for me is, do I want something that is classic and timeless like the Navitimer? Or do I want something that is completely different from everything else I own like the Panerai. Remember I also want a manual in my collection at some point. It doesn't have to be the Panerai, but I want something I have to wind that doesn't have a spinning disk blocking half the movement.

One option that someone recommended was to get both. One now and one in a few years, but to do that I would probably have to sell the Colt. It's a tough decission. Looks like I can't go wrong with either one though. I've already tried on a few Navitimers and I know I love them. I guess I need to try on the PAM and go from there.

Thanks again guys. This forum is great! I just realised that I have not formally intruduced myself yet on the forum so I'm going there after this post!

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Armand Nicolet M02 Chrono Black Face/Black Croco Band (My Favorite)
Armand Nicolet M02 Day & Date White Face w/ Brown Croco
Colt Automatic II Blue Face and Blue Calf Skin Band
Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre S Regatta
Tag Heuer Formula One Chrono

Well it's a bit like comparing architecture from the renaissance to something from Niemeyer... although I think he's more of a Hublot guy.

The Navitimer is beautiful in the classical sense, whereas the Pam is more of a piece of contemporary art. Except, the Pam's design is actually older, dating back to the mid 40ies or, depending how you count, to 1936.

The pam, to put in the words of Jeremy Clarkson, is sort of Uma Thurman-ish, it's perfect, but you can't quite explain why. The 'ling on the other side has this obvious magnificence. I think they are entirely different and hence, go together rather well. Which is why I have both

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

Very nicely put.

I agree completely, which is why I want both.

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Armand Nicolet M02 Chrono Black Face/Black Croco Band (My Favorite)
Armand Nicolet M02 Day & Date White Face w/ Brown Croco
Colt Automatic II Blue Face and Blue Calf Skin Band
Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre S Regatta
Tag Heuer Formula One Chrono

Have a pam 111m and i must say I love it , but i also love my breitling avenger , like your choices two completely different watches tho , hard one to call , can you try hem both on and see how they feel ?

Ok a disclaimer - I'm not exactly known for staying in love with most watches. The Swiss bring out my repressed ADD. But...


I had 2 Panerai, was instantly head over heals for them and just as quickly bored to tears with them. Then they were gone. Much quicker than any other brand or model.

FWIW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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SHARKMAN

OK, but in the interest of full disclosure, what's your story regarding Navis?

Well not having a 111 or a Navitimer i should just stay on the sidelines...... do own three Breitlings. not in the Navi range (superocean, Ti Chrono Avenger and a steel Seawolf) love them all. The 111 doesnt do much for me as i'm more of a real dive watch guy (love a bezel to play with but not a diver) and own a 00024 and just love it... two great brands, good luck!

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TREVOR