The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Whats up guys? I know there are a few of these types of posts once in awhile and it really comes down to what you feel in the end but maybe a few opinions will help me finally stick to a decision. I have had the itch to get a new watch for 6 months to a year now and have narrowed it down to three very different pieces. Panerai 312 (which I ruled out until I saw one pop up on the for sale section of this board), Cartier Calibre black dial, and a Rolex Datejust II Blue dial batons. Please take into consideration my current collection which is listed in the signature section.

I feel the Panerai is more versatile as I can wear it to work and dressed down, the Rolex and Cartier is more geared towards the office. I work in finance so sometimes I think the huge bulking 312 might look out of place when meeting with older clients. Anyway any input or opinion is appreciated, thanks!

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AP-15400
Steelfish-Silver Dial
Panerai 312
Rolex DateJust II Blue Stick Dial

other consideration is... would it fit under your cuff-links?

My watch guy has a blue DJII with romans. It's an impressive piece and the blue is gorgeous. At the larger size, however, the fluted bezel has a lot of flash to it. With the brushed/polished bracelet, I'm trying to decide if it's too much. I like the Panerai as a sports watch but I can't imagine the thing tucking comfortably under a shirt sleeve well. I really like the DJ, but the Cartier, though maybe not my favorite, might be the best for casual and dress.

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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

Coming from someone who wears the sister (Pam 351, identical build, titanium case, tobacco dial, just that bit more exotic) of your prospective 312 to work at times, it is not something you'll do a lot. It does not fit the cuffs of regular shirts in a way that could in any way be describes as elegant, so it will be always protruding and might ring the wrong bells, especially with clients. On Polo Friday, nothing beats it though.

The Rollie is definitely more composed in that regard, an alrounder through and through. But maybe a bit obvious of a choice? And besides, the swollen bezel is not my cup of tea.

The Cartier might suit you best here, elegant in a way the Pam isn't quite and yet original in the way a datejust couldn't be.

If only I liked the subdial on it... But that's an aesthetic consideration. What you like in this regard shall remain yours to determine...

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

The Cartier is just plain beautiful. Of the three listed, that is the one that someone standing 100 feet away from you would think "wow that dude has a nice watch".

I'd probably go with the Rolex. I think Rolex is one brand that everyone has to experience just once at least. If you don't like it, you can always flip it without losing too much money in the short run.

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

jlee are you sure we are not related?? its like you are my long lost brother. we seem to share the same view on watches lol

brother from another mother! Right on dude!

Let me just set the record straight though that I was anti-Rolex for a bit. Then I bought my GMTc and it was game over.

Im still after a diver and I can't seem to get your Hulk out of my head boogie. Don't hate me later if I do pick one up myself. Lol

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

well brother for the record i was a HUGE rolex hater before the subc. then when i saw one on my friends wrist it really got me to look at the brand. once i tried it on i went straight to the bank and pulled out some cash.

As for hating you if you got a hulk.....never in fact quite the opposite. i hope you do get one. i love mine and i am sure you will to once you get it. it will be the perfect match since you already have a gmt 2 c. for now you can just look at this.

Hahaha nice! I saw this pic on TRF... Super clever.

That green dial is sublime. I love the way it kind of changes colors.

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

yeah i was bored one day and decided to take a pic of all my subs.....hahahahaha. i have to admit the 2 in the back taste alot better.

Alright guys.....I had a chance to get to an AD today to try on my 3 choices. First up the Cartier, maybe it is because my first luxury watch was a Breitling I have it in my head that heft means quality. To me the Cartier just didn't feel quite right on my wrist and the dial, although very detailed, didn't seem to pop or have any depth to it. I was kind of disappointed with the Calibre in person. Next up the Rolex, probably my first choice of the 3. For some reason the lightness of the DJ2 didn't bother me as much as the Cartier. The blue dial with batons is my preference on the DJ2 and I felt the blue created a certain pop that the Cartier didn't have. Then last up the Panerai which I was convincing myself I didn't need until I tried it on. I guess the familiarity of heavy watches made me feel like it fit my wrist perfectly.

Anyway the new plan might be to get the DJ2 with the funds I have set aside for my next watch, then sell my Avenger and use the funds towards the purchase of a 312. Although I love my Avenger I couldn't see keeping both watches in my rotation as the Avenger really only sees time on the weekends and that would now be prime time for the 312.

Any thoughts?

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AP-15400
Steelfish-Silver Dial
Panerai 312
Rolex DateJust II Blue Stick Dial

Funny, that's just how I came to own my Pam. Went to the AD, wanting to try on an IWC big pilot and before I knew, I had a deal on the Pam. Crazy stuff that, but I love the thing and I'm confident you will love the 312. Even though the SA is a very nice watch, I feel it has less personality than the, somewhat awkward, Pams. The Panerais have that "modern art" feel and it's hard to compare anything to them in that regard. There really is no exquisite beauty, to quote Francis Bacon, that hath not some strangeness to the proportion.

Notwithstanding, a Panerai is neither for anyone, nor for anywhere... So you will still need something "low key" for places like the office. If you can live with the oversized bezel (a matter of personal taste really, doesn't do it for me) of the Rollie, it could be a good fit here.

So I say, more power too you!

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

Alright guys I am due to post pics but I wanted to get some input. I ended up getting the 312 from a seller on this site for what I thought was a good price however since I was leaning towards the Rolex, I had a friend get me in touch with an AD for Rolex not too far from my house. I ended up getting over 20% off of the DJ2 so my impulse was to jump and get both. I couldn't pass up the deal because I figured if I decided to sell it I could probably get the same, if not more then what I paid from the AD. Now that I have begun the process of getting a few different brands into my collection, the Cartier Calibre is still on my mind. So what do you guys think of selling the Chrono Evo and replacing it with the Calibre? The Chrono Evo was my first luxury watch and the watch that made me gravitate towards Breitling but at this point it receives the least amount of wrist time. I can't justify keeping both

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AP-15400
Steelfish-Silver Dial
Panerai 312
Rolex DateJust II Blue Stick Dial

20 percent off a Rolex is not easy to get... Good job.

As for getting the Cartier as well, if it rocks your boat, go ahead... But i'm not quite sure you'll be able to fund it just with what you may or may not get out of an evo... you've just bought one watch more than what you had initially planned (I know the feeling well), it's obvious you now would go ahead and think: "if I didn't have to chose between the first two... That could work with the third as well..." but the thing is, you might be overlooking the reason why the third option wasn't among the first two... If you like it only now the other two are acquired and thus out of the discussion, well, it might have a difficult time seeing wrist time against the Pam and Rollie in the long run.

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred