The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I recently stopped by an authorized Breitling dealer and saw on display a beautiful Breiitling BO1 in 18K rose gold with mother of pearl dial and diamond dial on a brown alligator strap with deployment buckle. Really nice piece. I was told that it was not a limited edition piece but a limited production piece. I put it on my wrist and it looked awesome. So here's my dilemma. Should I also order the 18K bracelet for this watch or stick with the leather strap?
I know that this is a personal decision based on personal taste but I'm still interested in seeing what others have to say.
Mind you, the watch really looks awesome and the diamonds are limited to the bezel and the hour markers. So it's very tastefully done in diamonds and unlike other diamond encrusted Breitlings that are literally overdone, this piece spells class. So, strap or bracelet?

I'd stick with a strap.
Too much money and gold with the 18K bracelet.

besides just think of how you'd feel when it gets all scratched up... I don't know what gold links cost, but I imagine they are a lot more than stainless. Personaly I think straps and yellow gold look better. Just my opinion though.

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Breitling Bentley 6.75
White Baton Super Avenger
Rolex DSSD

you can buy a regular b01 on a bracelet for the same price as the gold bracelet!

I personally am not a fan of gold bracelets. Aside from the ridiculous pricing - doing the math based on gold content is depressing, I just find it way too much. A decent croc strap makes a gold watch look elegant, a gold bracelet makes it look flash.

Just my 0.02, and others will disagree, at least one member has a number of gold bracelet mounted watches.

Wether I personaly like gold/diamonds or not I think if the OP is going to buy this piece money is not a concern.

Therefore may I suggest you buy both and have the flexability.

And pics please......

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

. I never argue with the professor.

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

I personally think the B01 should be on a bracelet. I think Navitimers look nice with straps, but the Chronomat has a more "industrial" look and belongs on a bracelet. That being said, I think gold bracelets are far too flashy for my taste, but if it's your thing, go for it.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Another vote for this train of thought too. Not sure what it's like in other countries, but here in the UK a full gold bracelet equiped watch can look incredibly tacky. If it was my money, then I'd be sticking with an OEM croco strap. Brown would probably look the best with a MOP dial although it's worth looking at the camel colour too. Works very well with rose gold.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

And theres me trying to be Mr tacktful (for once)

OK, I personally hate diamonds and am not really keen on gold. So I said it....


However it is your money and your taste, go for it. (I'm sure you hate my taste aslong as we respect that).

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

I think the B01 looks fantastic on a croc strap! Even more so w/ 18K!

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Rolex Daytona
Rolex Yacht-Master
Rolex Sub-C
Rolex Day-Date
Rolex DateJust
Rolex GMT-IIc
Rolex GMT-II Pepsi
Rolex GMT-II RootBeer
Rolex EXP II
Rolex Air-King
Tudor Prince Chronograph 79280P
Tudor Grantour
Breitling B01

I'm one of those few who will tell you to go for gold!

You can always buy a strap later, but to buy the bracelet alone...not really worth thinking about.

I've said on here before, the B01 in rose gold with the bracelet is a grail of mine. One day, one day...

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Men are from Mars, women are from Hell.

I agree with "the_wizzler". I just bought my first Breitling Chronomat Evo (current). it came with the alligator strap (nice) but I wanted a little more "bling". I had the strap replaced with the Pilot, two tone silver/18k braclet. Yes it cost more but I figure if I am going to invest in this grade of timepiece than the extra is worth it. Plus it will cost less to get the alligator strap in the future than the bracelet. As far as the cost questioned earlier by "ravenloff" I found the individual silver/gold links on-line for 175 bp ($282.21 usd) I have 12 links on my bracelet with the Breitling "wings" raised in 18k gold on the clasp vice the "stamp". I love my watch

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11' US Naval Aviation Centennial Airwolf L/E
Ocean Racer band
10' Avenger Seawolf Chrono "BLACKSTEEL" L/E
Diver Pro II band
08' Chronomat Evolution
SS/18K w/ SS/18K Pilot Bracelet
06' Philip Stein "SPORT"

Firstly, thanks everyone for the massive feedback on this topic. I can see that generally a gold bracelet on a gold watch is very loud and a strap seems to be, for the most part very classy. But..... since I am a bracelet guy, and also want a classy look decided to go with the 18K Limited Edition Breitling BO1 in WHITE GOLD with the 18K white gold bracelet. This way I get to have my cake and eat it too!!!. Now here's the hard part. The list price for this one is $45,200 and I personally think that is very steep, especially since eventually these watches end up in the secondary market and one could never even hope to re-coup even 10% of the list price. I found an authorized dealer who can get it for me for $31,500 tax included, but still that is beyond my range. So.....here's my next question. Is it ever possible to get a Breitling for 50% off the list price????? Now that would put the watch in my hands easily.
Let's also look at the exciting points of an 18K white gold Breitling BO1 with an 18K white gold bracelet. For one it looks like a steel watch but when you put it on your wrist, a large grin spreads across your face as you realize the weight alone of such a solid piece of gold tells a far different story. Secondly, just imagine bumping into another fellow with the steel version and he says to you 'we have the same watch lol' and you go 'oh no we don't my friend'!!! And it's a limited edition. So it's not like everyone can get it.
So if anyone out there can tell me if it's possible to get this watch at 50% off the list I would be so happy. Thanks

You will not get this watch for 50% off - that's below dealer cost.

If you want it for 50% off then go back in about 2 - 3 years and if they haven't sold it you might be able to make the deal. However, older model gold watches can sometimes be difficult to get big discounts on because Breitling force ADs to carry a certain number of gold watches and so selling one forces them to buy another at current prices - more of an issue on strap than bracelet though.