The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Here's a little back story:

My first nice watch was my dad's two tone rolex datejust, black face, diamond dial. He got it around his 50th birthday as a gift from my mom. He always wanted a rolex, but he's a sweatpants and t-shirt type of guy, and so he never wore it because it was too dressy for what he wears pretty much year round (summer time means sweat shorts instead of sweat pants ). When I started getting into watches when I was 19, he nonchalantly gave it to me "here take it, I never wear it". Now it's two years later and once in a blue moon, I wear it, but for the most part it sits in my winder and I wear my Navitimer World.

The dilemma:

On one hand, my dad and I both know that I would've never bought it if given the opportunity to choose what watch to buy for the same price. I'm a watch fiend with an affinity for Breitling, but I'm not that into Rolex. I'm also not into the flash of the diamonds. I only wear it if I'm dressing up. On the other hand, I appreciate the watch for it's sentimental value because it was his watch, it's a pseudo-symbol of his success (as most Rolexes are), and it's my only nice dress watch. Today, he saw me looking at watches online (as I often do) and he really liked the look of the Chronomat 01 with a black dial, and suggested I sell his Rolex and put that towards obtaining a Chronomat. I'm torn because I don't care much for the look of the Rolex, but I have a strong tie to it for sentimental reasons, and an ambivalent tie to it because it is my only dress watch. My guilt about making the change would be mitigated because it was his idea and he likes the Chronomat (he even joked that the Chronomat would be his watch a la the Rolex), but I'm still unsure about making the change for the sentimental reasons and because it would leave me without a nice dress watch. Thoughts?

_________________
Breitling Navitimer 01 LE

If your Dad liked the Breitling and wore it for a few years and then gave it to you it would mean so much more... He never wore the Rolex, passed it down to you with the thought of here I'll never wear it! I wouldn't worry about a dress watch if its the only reason you're hanging on to it, I would much rather have a watch that my father loved and passed on to me out of respect, I lost my father 5 months ago so know what I would have done...

_________________

TREVOR

Totally, completely, utterly agree.

_________________
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

It sounds like he'd be happy with your decision to part with it and get the watch you really enjoy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thank you for sharing, and my sincerest condolences.

My dad wouldn't actually wear the Chronomat because he's not really a watch guy and he would much rather see me happily wearing the Chronomat....which is actually making me think that's another reason to get the Chronomat.

My other concern is that the Chronomat isn't timeless like a datejust. Not a major concern, but still something to think about. I like the Rolex, but I don't LOVE it for it's aesthetics like I like the black dial chronomat.

I don't mean to be too apprehensive, but I really want to examine every aspect of this change before I decide whether to make it.

_________________
Breitling Navitimer 01 LE

Tough situation. Whatever you do will be the right decision, but I think I would keep the Rolex for sentimentality reasons, if it were me.

One day you may change your opinion of the Rolex and wear it more (especially if you can get the diamonds removed!). In years to come, you may look back at the personal things your Dad gave you, and you can point without hesitation to the Rolex. You can't do that if its been sold and replaced with a Chronomat, which will get sold and replaced for something else later on.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

Keep the datejust, save for the Chronomat. That's what I would do. Tastes change and you may really like / appreciate the datejust in the years to come!

_________________
--
sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic

Keep the Rolex in the family. I lost my dad when I was 21. That vintage Rolex in my signature, that's his.
I never wear it because it's too small for my taste, but my wife wears it on special occasions.
I once contemplated selling it for maybe 2 minutes. Then I realised that it's one of the very few things i inherited that he wore, and I'll always keep it in the family.

_________________
Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

A few things... No watch is truely timeless because new versions will replace old ones eventually even for the same model. My definition of timeless is to have the company offering exactly the same model, same version for an infinite time, so that many years later, it's like you are still owning the "latest model". Perharps you meant "timeless looking" where the look has more or less maintained the same from the old to the new version for the same model over the years. Companies like Rolex and PP are good examples who have been following strictly to this rule.

That doesn't mean that companies like Breitling do not follow that, they do retain the core 'DNA' look whenever they launch new versions of the same models. Except that the visual changes they make are more obvious. Take chronomat for eg, the look of the crown and pushers, the Chronograph Sec hand, etc has been maintained although they have made many changes visually due to the launch of their in-house movement that they wanted to make the changes obvious.

Retaining the visual design completely can be an advantage and disadvantage. Say if you have a model of the watch and company launches a new version in future with exactly the same look, but better quality, I don't know for you, but I won't feel good to know that there is a better option. You will also likely see many many people wearing watches with exactly the same look as yours. But visually it seems that you are wearing the latest version. So it's pros and cons. Many members here prefer the look of the older Chronomat Evolution as compared to the current Chronomat. If I had been one of them, I would be happy to know that my CE has become "limited" since it has been discontinued.

Some feels that the Chronomat will look outdated or tiresome after a while. Well this is very subjective and nobody's opinion is a fact. My love for my Chronomat only grew stronger over the last 1 year plus and owning the watch allows me to appreciate the details of the design more and more overtime. I personally feel the Chronomat looks timeless and classic, but yet with a modern touch without making the watch look too boring. Not many watches can achieve that. Anyway now and then I see many old timers here posting photos of their vintage watches that obviously look outdated and watches from many years ago. But does wearing them make the owners look stupid or outdated? I feel the "outdated looking" watches look so cool on their wrist! So always buy what you like and "timeless to yourself".

I am a fan of the Chronomat and would encourage you to get it one day but I would discourage you from selling yr Datejust to fund it. After all yr DJ is passed down from yr dad and has the sentimental value. That is "timeless".

_________________
Breitling Chronomat 01 Limited Edition
Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm

Well, I think you have an answer, and you will make the right decision for you in the end so go with what your instincts are telling you.

Personally I am not a great fan of Rolex, but I appreciate their workmanship and contribution to the watchmaking world generally. I would never wear one either, as they just don't say anything to me. But that's me.

If I were given one, then I would keep it if the circumstances were the same as you. If you decide to sell the DA, and because you feel your Dad would not mind (that's where I think you are going), then all the best with your new purchase.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

Looks like the Rolex isn't going anywhere. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their input and personal stories

_________________
Breitling Navitimer 01 LE

Personally I'd hold on to the Rolex. Not only was it your dad's, but it probably holds some sentimental value to your mother seeing as she bought it.
Also gives you a great excuse to wear a flashy watch... when people ask, tell them it was your dad's and gifted to you. Usually gives you a free pass to wear what you want