The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I was browsing their website (just noticed there's an ad on breitlingsource's homepage) and thought their watches were very cool. The reviews I found online were pretty decent but didn't know if anyone here has one. I'm very new to watches and just got my first breitling so don't know much about the xetum's movement compared to my steelfish. Anyways just seeing what everyone thought.

http://www.xetum.com

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Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish (Black)

I don’t know anything specific about Xetum a company, but from their watch’s technical descriptions we can to make a few assumptions.

Firstly they appear to be just another boutique watch-maker like a hundred others out there, although Xetum appear to be using their own case design rather than reusing cases developed elsewhere. They are apparently Swiss made and in terms of movements they are using Swiss ETAs, but they are using the lowest grade. The grade of ETA 2895 they are using in the Tyndall model is the Elaboree version, which is actually the lowest version for the 289* series of movements. That said, the 289* series are all very good movements even in the most basic form. They don’t specify the grade of ETA 2824 they are using in the Stinson model so I think it’s pretty safe to say they are using the Standard grade. (The 2824 comes in Standard, Elaboree, Top and Chronometer grades, while the 2982/3/4/5 movements come in Elaboree, Top and Chronometer grades.) The 2824 is actually the same basic movement as used in the Breitling Steelfish, but Breitling use the Chronometer grade version and then further modify it to create the B17 movement. Basically the B17 is a much higher spec version of the 2824. Xetum certainly will not be modifying their bases ETAs. Elsewhere it seems Xetum are using Sapphire crystal with AR coating which is a good sign of the slightly higher quality boutique maker, although real quality can only be judged when handling the watches. Their prices strike me as a little on the high side if I’m being honest, but as I say their technical specifications would indicate a slightly higher level than a lot of boutique brands out there.

Hope that helps.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I have looked at these before. Not sure wehat I think about them not having lugs.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

That was my first thought also. Plus I don't like that they're only 40mm. Other than that they're pretty cool looking, sorry I don;t know anything about them.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

I've not heard any problems about them, and while it's courageous to go relatively small and relatively conservative in the designs for a new company, I think that's what holds them back - nice watches but with nothing particularly stand out about them.

Certainly one of the more affordable ETA 28 series watches, but I suspect that too many people find them pleasant but not unique enough to buy.

I thought it was a little pricey too. I was just looking into getting a second watch to alternate with my steelfish and liked them. I might go for a Hamilton. Saw this one at Tourneau and thought it was really nice with the orange strap, plus it seems like a decent price on chrono24.

http://www.chrono24.com/en/search/index.htm?showid=1589309&showpage=3&dosearch=1&searchexplain=1&SEARCH_ADTYPE_ID=U&SEARCH_BRAND_ID=112&SORTORDER=1&numresults=267

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Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish (Black)

the watch looks very plain jane. and i agree with the other posters "not sure what to think about no lugs". i think the better question is....do you like it? if so then the watch is for you.

on a side note that hamilton IMO is visually more appealing.

At this point, I personally think there are too many "wannabes" and too many "new" watchmaking companies.

For me personally, these new companies are taking "old" looks and trying to add some modern twists. I'd rather shell out the same amount of money for a vintage watch that has better movements and materials than these new wannabes. There really isn't anything very unique about them.

Finally, I find the materials and colors always seem to be somewhat flat. When you hold a Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Panerai, etc. - even their cheapest models have a noticeable "flair" that these folks can't seem to get right.

The devil is in the details - be it a polished part vs. a brushed part, the hue and finish of the paint, applied logos vs. painted logos, etc.....to me, these are the things that seperate the men from the boys when it comes to a truly fine timepiece.

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PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller

Well said. What draws me to a small watch company is either a piece that is really out of the box or the start up person of the company that has a very neat intersting background and is "fullfilling a dream" of watchmaking or something like that.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle