The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm stuck.

I sold off my "boutique" watches (you know the ones, german made, small production, poor resale value) fully intending to buy a black dialed Skyland Avenger. I even bought an Ocean Racer strap to put on the Skyland. However, while waiting for the Skyland to be back in stock, I made the mistake of seeing what else I could get for the same money.

I then tried on and fell in love with the 45mm Omega Planet Ocean with orange bezel.

So which one should I get? On one hand, I was set on the Skyland, I even have a strap for it. On top of that, I'm wondering if the orange bezel that I like so much today will seem less attractive after a while. On the other hand, I REALLY like that touch of color (though with the orange strap, it's too much) and I always wanted to try an Omega since I've never owned one. Also, the Skyland is somewhat similar to the Chrono Avenger that I already own.

Any opinions? Are the watches evenly matched, so it just comes down to personal taste?

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NRA Life Member
NJKCA Honorary Member
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Chrono Avenger, Grey Dial, Pro II
Steelfish, Black Dial, Ocean Racer
Super Avenger, White Dial, Pro II
Casio GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster
Sinn UX

Hey Ross, I think you're in the wrong place if you want anyone here to recommend the Omie over a Breiters!

Having said that, yes the Omega PO is a very nice watch. I've owned 3 Seamasters in the past (never a PO though) and they have always been fine watches. Question - are you looking at the standard PO or the PO Chronograph? Both are very nice, and yes I know the POs both use Omegas fancy Co-Axial movements, but I still can't help but feel that they are a lot of money for what they are - especially the Chrono which is close on £3K in the UK.

My personal take on the orange bezel is that it is currently pretty cool and different, but that it will probably have a relatively short shelf-life. I had my fingers burnt with a green bezel Submariner which was ALLEGEDLY as rare as unicorn sh*t at the time, but now are (relatively speaking!) a dime a dozen. The dealer I eventually sold it to said in some ways I might have been better off replacing the green bezel with a black one as they are now more desirable! Hence I would be very careful of super-trendy bezel colours.

Personally (as a die-hard Breitling fan) I believe that Breitling consistently edge it over Omega on practically every front - build, style, bracelet design, aesthetics (altho this is obviously a very personal thing), etc. You will also see less Breitlings around as Omega have been able to cash in on the whole James Bond connection, so much so that you'd be hard pressed not to go into any bar and see at least one Seamaster on someone's wrist.

At the end of the day, both are fine manufacturers and it all comes down to personal choice.

(Try posting your question on an Omega forum and see what answers you get there! )

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Well said, Driver!

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I think it comes down to personal taste, and quality.

The Omega line has some nice looking pieces, but personally I would not purchase one.

If you trade timepieces, you'll notice Omega timepieces will not hold their value very well. I assume it's due to the fact it's a mass produced piece. There are several floating around on Ebay at a fraction of what they are new. I've also read that they suffer from some quality control issues as well.

If I were looking to expand my collection, I would seek other brands.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Do you have the option of changing the bezel on the Omega at a later date, either yourself or professionally? If you do, that's certainly something to consider. I bought a coral dial SuperOcen recently and freely admit it's a bit bright to wear with everything, ( e.g. it looks basically horrible with a red shirt) but I also planned on buying more than one Breitling! You said you have another Breitling, so you're probably okay.

Based on what Brian said, you may have a chance to pick up the orange-bezel Omega second-hand for a great price. Then you can get both!

Of course it comes down to personal preference. Just get the one that makes you smile.

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Coral Dial SuperOcean
Black Dial Avenger Skyland
Arctica Dial Bentley G/T Racing

Coral Club Founding Father

I second that notion driver8.

Ling all the way. The AS is a very nice watch and you will be happy with it esp being 45mm. Good luck!

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions

I know this is a Breitling forum, but I figured that I would get more thoughtful, better sorted answers here than at a general watch forum. I also have never had an Omega, and I assumed that others here may own or may have owned them, and have formed an opinion about them.

Having read the comments and having slept on it, I agree with the comments about the orange color being somewhat fashionable. I'll most likely pick up the Skyland, and save up for the PO. Maybe a year or so from now, when I have enough for a new watch, I might feel differently about the orange bezel, might be relieved that I didn't buy one. If not, I can hunt one down on the secondary market.

Thanks again, I knew I could get some mature discussion on the topic here - I'm not sure the same could be said of other forums.

_________________
NRA Life Member
NJKCA Honorary Member
-----------------------
Chrono Avenger, Grey Dial, Pro II
Steelfish, Black Dial, Ocean Racer
Super Avenger, White Dial, Pro II
Casio GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster
Sinn UX

I have an Omega Seamaster that has gone back 3 times for repairs. It suffered from what some Omega enthusiasts call Sudden Stop Syndrome. It would stop running despite me wearing it all day, and it would stop when put on a watch winder. I talked to my AD and he said they had a PO go back three times as well and he was very unhappy with Omega and told his rep to completely replace the movements in both watches, so hopefully when I get it back it will be running up to snuff.

As far as Orange goes, I was told by my AD that companies like Breitling, Doxa, and Omega have orange dials and bezels because when underwater during deep sea diving orange is one of the last colors on the spectrum recognizable by the human eye. I was always under the impression that it was a fashion trend, but apparently if my AD is correct it serves more function than fashion. To me it makes sense as companies like Breitling, Omega, and Doxa all have strong ties in the dive world.

Would love to hear your thoughts about this guys.

I am relatively new to Breitling ownership although have been collecting watches for some time. I own three Omegas: a Speedmaster, a Seamaster Chrono and a 42mm PO (no orange bezel though) out of a total watch collection currently numbering about 30. From my experience in buying and selling watches, Omegas hold their value about as well as Breitlings, which is to say not as well as Rolexes. Both Breitlings and Omegas depreciate very rapidly from new and then maintain their value at about 50-60% of MSRP until the warranty expires (assuming pristine condition). After that it's all about the condition of the watch, it's rarity and desirability that determine value.

Only you can decide whether or not an Orange PO is the watch for you. I owned a 45.5mm PO and couldn't handle the size and weight of the watch so I traded it for a 42mm which I prefer. If you are comfortable with some of the larger Breitlings, though, the PO is going to seem small.

In terms of reliability I have heard some real horror stories about Omegas as I have about Breitlings. My experience with both brands has been perfect however, I have never had a problem with either. If you are buying a watch with warranty I don't see that it matters much since both companys will make good if there are any problems.

In my mind this decision really comes down to which watch do you prefer. It doesn't matter what we think, it's your money.

I haven't had any problems with any of my Omegas or my Breitlings.. nothing out of the ordinary at least... both are reliable in my personal experience.

I have owned 4-5 Omegas in my life... and I have sold them all. I like the Idea of owning an Omega, and I like how they look on my wrist.. but there is just something a bit too boring about them.. something that just doesn't cut it in the long run. I wear them, they are nice, but they just dont stand out enough as something special when I wear them. That is why I end up wtih a Breitling every time. Omegas are damn easy to resell tho

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

BREITLING!!!! nuff said

I just place an order for a Skyland Avenger, black dial on Pro II bracelet so that settles it. It should be here on Thursday!

_________________
NRA Life Member
NJKCA Honorary Member
-----------------------
Chrono Avenger, Grey Dial, Pro II
Steelfish, Black Dial, Ocean Racer
Super Avenger, White Dial, Pro II
Casio GWG-1000-1A3 Mudmaster
Sinn UX

Congrats! It'll be nice to add a polished Ling to your repetoire

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

Ross congrats on the new Ling. The Avenger Skyland is my next Breitling as well, except im a little partial to the Blue Face because I have a ton of black faced dial watches. Enjoy wearing it, as Im sure you will receive many compliments on it when its on your wrist.

I just picked up a Orange bezel PO 2 days ago and I'm loving it. Why not try and get both?