The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've tried a few different things. I still have an infatuation with Bell&Ross. I know they really don't have much 'special' about them, but they are designed so uniquely (despite alot of recent cheap copies). Ulysse Nardin was always a near-grail status for me until I recently bought one and loved it, so I bought another. I've had a few rolex pieces, I've had a few omega, but as my signature will attest, Breitling still dominates my collection and I can't get over it.

Not only do they have some of my favorite designs, but there are honestly very few Breitlings that I just don't like. Every line has a few that I like or even love. From Navitimers to Professionals, I think they are great.

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Breitling Emergency Mission-- Breitling B01--
Chronomatic 24H-- Skyland Blacksteel-- Navitimer World--
Emergency Ti-- Chronomat Evo-- Airwolf-- Skyracer Raven
Bentley GMT-- Motors Speed

They protect the clear part.

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[Witty signature here]

THATS E-Z
1} AP 15300 ST ROYAL OAK
2} IWC INGENIEUR { ANY }
3} BREITLING COCKPIT BIGG DATE NON-CHRONO { GALACTIC 41 }

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Keepin' Time...

I started thinking about this thread today. Breitling still has more watches in their lineup that Id like to own than any other brand. There are about 10 Breitlings that I want...but only 4 JLC, 3 Pams, 3 IWCs, 2 Breguets, 2 Rolex etc... (and I'm talking about obtainable watches)

So if were justifying favorite brand as that brand that has the most watches that I'd want to own then Breitling wins hands down. BUT there isn't a single Breitling that I would say is my favorite watch....that's a big shift in the way that I used to think.

Since ther isn't a single Breitling that I would call my favorite watch, is it ok to say that they're my favorite brand?? Id say YES.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Are the watches that you "would like to own" only pieces that you can afford, only pieces that you would actually wear, or something else? I ask since im in the same boat as you. I have 10 or so Breitlings that I want, all of which I can afford. On the other hand, I have about 10 JLC's that I would like to own, only a couple of which I can afford. I love the MCC, Diving Chrono etc., which I can afford. I also like the Extreme LAB 2, which I cant afford, but would happily wear, would absolutely love to own, and if I had a huge budget available, might actually buy. Others, like the JLC Hybris Mechanica, are super cool, but even if I could afford one, its not really something that suits my style, so I dont consider it in my criteria.

Favorite brand that I can afford and would actually wear: Breitling
Favorite brand that I can only partially afford and would actually wear: JLC

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-RJ

Yes, the watches that I were referring to are watches that I can go out and buy tomorrow....not something like an extreme lab which is unobtainable for me.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

I tend to be a bit of a brand loyalist. i can only really love one brand at a time. I started off loving Longines, then fell for Omega and collected a few. Then i saw a vintage Chronomat. I just kind of fell in love with it. Then i saw the TransOcean. I never really liked the modern Breitlings but over the past couple of years I've grown to appreciate them more. I think I'd say Breitling from the 1960s-70s is my favourite brand.

good question. Normally i would say Zenith. however due to the lack of movements (they put the el primero in EVREYTHING!) I would say im losing faith a little... although there is still one more on my "desier list " i would probly say jaeger are topping my list atm. i have wanted either the alarm or the chronograph master compressor and the diver chrono for a wile now and would love to say one of them would be my next watch! although i cant see that happning! not for now anyway. Breitling are up there, and are steady growing due to the B01.

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Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

Zenith my put the em primero in EVERYTHING but at least they slightly modify the movement, add complications etc. Breitlings B01 looks the same in every watch....not even so much as moving the date wheel. This has got to change for the next batch of releases....and if the in-house Blackbird doesn't have a big date I'm gonna be pissed!!!!!

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Zenith uses a couple "lesser" in house movements, but clearly favors the ElPrimero. And there's a reason - it set and held a mark in the industry for a long time at 36,000 VPH. Not too long ago AP came out with a 43,200 (I think) VPH movement that became the highest feequency escapement. Now Breguet is coming out with the silicon based escapement - a mighty 72,000 VPH 10 Hz I think.

Most people shelling out the $$ for a Zenith are buying Zenith in part for the mighty ElPrimero. And who can blame them? I was told (read-don't know for sure if it's true) that Zenith produces about the same # of watches as Breitling does for a single model! And Zenith isn't shy about adding complications to the ElPrimero.

Still, I can't pick Zenith either as my favorite brand - the size of the company means not too many different models. Some I don't like at all.

I have 2 watches I can turn over and get a thrill - the Zentith Grand Chronomaster XT Moonage and the IWC 7 Day. Watching those movements is amazing.

But as far as a favorite brand - it's still Breitling for me!! (No Marie, I haven't left you. Reno is but 10 months away!)

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SHARKMAN

i agree!

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Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

i agree, if they get lazy and just stick the B01 in the in-house Blackbird as is and dump the Big Date, I'll be disappointed, but I think they know its kind of a cult favorite and won't adulterate it.

Yes good topic. I am really in a state of confusion because I LOVE my current Swiss Made watches but all (with one exception) have ETA or Valjoux movements. I want a watch with an in-house movement (other than my Rolex). With that said, my favorite watch brand currently is A.Lange and Sohne, with Ulysse Nardin being a strong second.

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Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish - 2009
Breitling B-2 - 2002
Rolex DateJust 18k/ SS (1984 vintage)
Omega Seamaster (1958 vintage)
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece MP6318 - 2003
Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph CV2013-3
Victorinox DiveMaster 500

JLC is still number 1 in my book.

AP, Rolex, IWC and Panerai come in at a 4 way tie for second place.

I'm not really brand specific. I think there are a lot of fine timepieces on the market. I'm not a fan of companies that copy each others pieces. For me, I'm a huge fan of mechanical timepieces. I really like it when watchmakers use their own movements (I'm excited about Breitling's rumored movements). I prefer chronographs and dials with luminous markers. I'm not a fan of anything with a battery. After owning mechanical watches over the last decade, I would NEVER buy a timepiece if it had a battery. I appreciate their functionality, but there's nothing like a hand made mechanical timepiece in my opinion.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date