The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So little money so many choices...

So I wanted to consult with my beloved members here... my 33rd is coming up... been saving up for quite a bit, and up until this time never dropped north of 3k on a piece. I'm looking at 6k tops but don't really want to go all the way there. Having said, I'm looking at all of the forums including ebay and I have narrowed it down to a few pieces, pending they will still be available within the week.

1) Rolex SS/Platinum Yachtmaster
2) Rolex Milgauss Non-GV
3) PAM 359
4) Breitling B01 Chronomat non-LE

I would've loved to squeeze in a JLC Hometime Squadra Reverso as a choice but I missed out on a few last year on TZ for under 5k, unless someone has one for sale! And don't forget to include the GMT IIc that Justin (Govberg) had for sale a little while back here.

I would love to keep the spending under control, and this will probably be my biggest acquisition to date and probably for awhile as I need to keep the hobby under control as well. As you can see though, I would strongly prefer a in-house as I want this one to be special.

So gentlemen...

EDIT: Any "out of the box" advice is welcome as well... as in like "buy two for one"

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Here's my 2cents.
I love love love my Rolex GMT's
I want a Yacht Master...The platinum one with the regular dial(not the stupid dial)
I love my Cockpit...Care little for the other Breitlings.
Don't care for the Milguas.....however you spell it.
And now the band
I don't like Pam's

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"In the end there can be but one"

loaded questions with a lot of choices , but here's my 2 cts

I am not a (big) fan of the Modern B's and given the above 4 options I'd go with door #5 , the GMT IIc
It has a IMO beautiful bezel , an added GMT complication and the watch is just great to look at , I still regret having sold one a few years ago, as its a timeless piece that I like .

from the 4 choices you gave I would maybe go with the Milguass as well as they've grown on me over the last years . I like the plain and simple style of those as well

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

Pam

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Rolex Two Tone Sub
B1 Vulcan LE
G Shock in every colour

Well the thing with the 359, as close to perfect as it may be, is that it will always be a tuttonero that isn't made from ceramics. If that is fine with you, go for it, because you wouldn't ever have considered that watch if you hadn't wanted it... badly.

If however it would bother you, and I know it would bother me, keep your hands off and go for something entirely different, which is to say a Rolex. The Yachtmaster is, much like the Submariner, way too obvious. The Milgauss is nice, but really a bit too niche for what would be my taste. So all that considered, I'd advise towards a GMT II.

The Chronomat, much like the rest of the Windriders, is a matter of taste. I tend to find it too feminine.

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

I know everyone keeps mentioning the GMT IIC but they're not commonly available for under 6k used. And trust me I'm still kicking myself in the ass for the one I missed for UNDER 6k. Unless someone else has another one

One note about the YM being predictable as the Sub... From my experience I haven't seen too many YMs over Subs in the wild so that was why it was considered. I did consider saving 2k and going for a plain Jane no date Sub but I think I would've died of boredom. But with the cost of boredom comes a classic on its own right too...

As with the PAM, a very valid point made. Might be just a temporary itch to be scratched. Perhaps later a simple 112 or base 000 might relieve the urge. But it's so choice. The additional Arabic numbers with the sandwich dial on the 359 is just sublime.

As polarizing as is the B01, I'm going to come out and say I've been a recent convert, bezel and all. But it's only for the stick hour markers, no Romans for me on the bracelet. And I love the fact that it's Breitling's in house as well.

BTW appreciate the feedback... Keep them coming and thanks!

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

I like the Milgauss in all flavors, PAM is nice too. Good luck with the tough choices, we should all be so lucky.

I have lived with my Yachtmaster for two months now. It's now my dress/busniness watch as the stainless/brushed bracelet gives just the right amount of bling without going overboard. The same-color bezel makes it look bigger than it is, and it's the best-fitting watch I own. It has just enough additional heft in case and
SEL bracelet over the old GMT I owned, which started to feel too light, that I'm really comfortable with it. If the choice was for an "only" watch though, I might question it for a moment. After several days of wearing it, I find myself wanting some different color. With some clothing the silver can wash out a little. That said, my favorite Rolex right now. I've seen a few under 6, but not by much, mayber 5700? By the way, I don't see that many of them. To me, the two-tones are far more predictable, and of course the subs even moreso.

The Milgauss is a solid piece, feels more substantial in some ways than the Yacht with the newer bracelet. I just didn't want the orange and there's no date. I also wonder if these will hold value the way other Rolexes do.

I saw a 359 last week. Nice looking watch, and one of my favorite PAMs right now. Love that all 12 numbers are on the dial in sandwich style. Depends on what else you have in your collection, though, as I see it as a strictly sports watch. For a lot of guys, I don't think it'll tuck under the cuff well, though that may not be an issue for you. More unique than any other model you are looking for, which is to me good and bad. I didn't think those would be easy to find under 6. I thought the dial on the watch I saw was a little brownish. Might limit you but if it's what you like, I'm already on record for my favorite brown dial, the Breguet XXI. Hard to find at 6 but they do come along, and talk about unique. A bit ornate, though, compared to most watches, let alone a Panerai.

The new chronomat is finally starting to grow on me a little. In the right dial, I'm liking some of them. The problem is that I still favor the old Evo or a Blackbird, and I'd find it hard to spend the same money on it as I would the three watches above.

Concerning your options, well, I already voted for the Yacht. There are some neat watches falling into your range, though. I have seen some JLC Master Compressor Chronos at or below that price range, and they are nice. I still like the IWC GSTs and you can get a Valjoux 7750 model for under 3, and a Rattapante in 43mm for right around 6. On the two-for-one front, older Evos are now under 3, and you could pair it with something like a pre-owned Omega Aqua-Terra (with the new textured dial) or PO, IWC GST or a new-style three-hand Aquatimer on rubber , as some of those are going low 3s now as well.

$6000 gives you a lot of options.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

Hi !

From the aforementioned watches, I would go with the Panerai 000. However, have you ever considered the IWC Pilot Chrono? If you do your due diligence it can be had under 5K from an AD with a warranty pre-owned/loved. Full retail is $6500.00 you can even get it new & still meet your financial requirements. Or you can save a little more and get what your heart truly desires - the Rolex GMT. Oh by the way I meant the Pilot Chrono on the bracelet.

Just get what makes you happy!

Cheers,

ENEZDEZ

I see your point as to the Yachtmaster, that being, my likening it to the Sub wasn't completely fortuitous. The Yachtmaster, I think, is optically very close to the sub. Yes, it is much smaller and yes, it is more delicate, but, it has not really much else to set it apart and, scale aside, is a bit of a jewelish Sub. One could of course make a similar argument for the GMT (forget about that being a jewel though), but, with the Pepsi-bezel, it has a lot of identity to it and ever since Viet-Nam, a lot of history too. The GMT is a bit like the Explorer in that way and way less prone to have the uninitiated wealthy walk into a jeweler's and say "I want a Rolex... yes, that!"

As for the various mentions of IWCs, that might be a valid choice as well, but 6000quid is a bit steep for a Valjoux 7750. Nothing wrong with it, but you can get it new in very nice watches for close to half the price you named.

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

I'd say the pam 359. I'm lusting for a pam.. I think it's classy and just a bit different. Not to say that the rest of the watches aren't, it seems like everyone at one point in higher end watches gets a rollie IMO. You're younger, like myself, and IMHO I think rollie's are targeted towards an older genre (please don't flame me for saying that). You've got a long time to own one a rollie..

I agree....Rolex is for the man who has arrived.
Pams are for the skateboarders waiting for the bus.....so they can arrive....late as usual.

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"In the end there can be but one"

So far I've seen 'em more with stock brokers... not sure what that says about them acting in a mature fashion then...

lol

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

It would be the 359 for me out of the ones above , that and the 111 are my favourite panarai's ( excluding vintage pieces of course
And a close 2nd choice would be the gmt ceramic

I'm going to go against the grain. The PAM 359 with in house movement is a nice piece. The thickness may be an issue. the 1950 case models wear much larger than the historic. Also, there are many who think the best PAMs are manual wind.

I am not a huge fan of Rolex right now except for the new ceramics, so I'll leave that alone.

I'd vote for the B01. In house movement on a great looking watch. I'd imagine you'd have an easier time finding it south of $6,000 than any of the others.

R/