The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi. On a recent post here it was stated the Breitling are going to bring back or continue making the Colt GMT I as up to now it was going to be a discontinued model. I have seen and tried on the Colt GMT II and I have to say that I did not like It one bit Especially with the one piece or integrated bracelet. I also feel that it is not lightly to grow on me even with the passing of time. I thought like with new car models when they come out first you do not like they but after time they grow on you. I really fell this is not the case with the Colt GMT II. I think the gist of the GMT post was a general dislike or a preference to the GMT I.

This got me thinking about the SO I and the SO II. I really feel the same way about the SO II and that I can not see it growing on me but I have not made up my mind yet... that said I have seen it in the flesh but not tried it on.

opinions?

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

I agree on the GMT versions, like the original GMT over the GMT+. IN fact I have a regular GMT on order, should be arriving by end of October.

The SOs are different enough that I actually like both of the designs. The SO II is a more sport/casual look IMO, definitely like it on rubber. The older version has a nice clean dial with easy to read arabics and goes better with a bracelet than the SO II for me. I don't know why but the SO II seems to look smaller on the wrist than the older SO, may have to do with the different bezel looks?? I couldn't decide if I had to make my mind up today, maybe that's why I ended up ordering the GMT .

Sorry, not much help, but good luck with your decision - can't go wrong with either one!

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

like the old SO much better! The bezel was iconic and nothing like it, what the aeromarine series was all about! Think they could have at least put a lume pip on the bezel insert on the new series???

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TREVOR

Not a big fan of the new Superocean. To me, it has a kind of "plastic" look about it.
I am also very fussy about details on the dial. They have attempted a more squared off and angular look, with the markers and the arabics, which is fine. Then they dropped the ball on the date window. They just brought the old design with the curved edges over to the new model, where they should have squared it off like on the Steelfish and the Seawolf, to complete the new look.
I had a Superocean for over 10 years, and it was the only watch I wore during that time: 1997 - 2008. One watch that I really wish I had kept. I now have a Seawolf, which I feel is a masterpiece with the new updates, including the newer dial with baton markers. I think they should have gone the same route with the new Superocean.
I usually reserve comment about new models, until I actually see them in person, then I change my mind. That was true with the Seawolf, when they changed from the Ti model to the new ss one. I didn't like the photos, but ended up buying one right away when I saw it in person.
The new Superocean, however, is the first watch I can ever remember that I liked less when I saw it in person, than I did in the photos.
I think the also messed up the Colt GMT+. They also increased the price a substantial amount, for purely cosmetic changes. I have never been a fan of the Omega Constellation, and it looks like they tried to imitate that look. It just does not work.
Breitling would be a lot better off, if they would put more effort into making updates with the inhouse movement, rather than making a lot of aesthetic changes to their watches, and putting huge increases on the prices with those changes alone. Their ridiculous obsession with producing Blacksteel and other limited editions at an alarming rate, is making the whole concept of having a LE watch laughable. Having said all this, I could not be happier with the new Seawolf, and I hope that they do wind up keeping the traditional Superocean. But I understand that the new one is selling very well.
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

Another point I feel might be a issue is that with the use of rubber and colors that it may become a watch that is giong to be copied/replicated a lot, and probably badly, when the replicas start showing up.
I just can't get away from the rubber bezel and the use of colors. To me it seem that Breitling are stretching the watch a bit in the way you have several options on essentially the same watch with very little cost.. just colours and that this takes from the over all look of it to me. One more point is that I am not a fan of rubber bands, SS for me, and again to me the SOII definitely looks best on the rubber! Then you have the cost point of the watch to me it does not look like a £2300(On SS) watch and now days IMO its about getting the best value you can which makes the SOI or the SOSF a better buy???...............OR DOES IT?!

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

I've seen the superocean and own a superocean II, the rubber bezel is ok for me. The only thing that I don't like is that it is not a real diver watch cause it doesn't have a lume on the the bezel.
But the dial is beautiful and the lume on it, hands and dial are very bright in the dark. Brighter than any breitling.
I think you have to try both in an AD and decide what's better to you.

Apologies to you SO II fans, but I still much prefer the old SO. I just cannot stand rubber components on the watch head. If the bezel had been ceramic, or sapphire covered or something I might've had a different opinion, but as it is I just don't like it.....and that's after seeing it in person. The lack of a pearl on the bezel also seems to say that the SO II is more fashion than function to my mind, whereas the old SO (while maybe being a little overly shiny) was a true diving tool.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Hands down the old SO has my vote. It's the best of everything. The polished professional bracelet has a classy look and if you want the hard core dive watch look you can put an ocean racer or dive pro rubber strap on It. I have an older SO and for me it's then perfect watch. The blue dial has the multi purpose look too.

Dont mean to sound too opionated, but i think the SO II is a horribly ugly looking peice. I kinda liked it until i saw it in person. It looks cheap, not like a breitling design at all. but thats just my $0.02

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Never sell a car without using our guaranteed price.
You can get more. But never accept less.

SuperOcean gets my vote all the way.

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Jerome

When I first saw pics of the SOII I really liked it, then I saw it in person and tried it on and couldn't wait to take it off. I'm not into giant watches at all, such as the SA or most B4B's, but the SOII just felt tiny to me. The BB is only 1.3mm bigger, but it feels much more substantial, and the rubber bezel just didn't do anything for me either. I know that there are a lot of people that really like the SOII and that's awesome, but personally I'd take the previous SO over the SOII.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

SuperOcean, hands down:

I will keep my ole' blue dial superocean. Just like the look of SS on the watch, it's a modern day classic to my eye. The SOII looks like a $100 Casio to me, especially on rubber.

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Never sell a car without using our guaranteed price.
You can get more. But never accept less.

I can see the point of the SO II: it should draw more young buyers to the brand. But I guess I'm already too old for the SO II, so I'd stick to the blue dial classic SO on Ocean Racer rubber strap or Pro II bracelet. For a very casual, easy-going watch to wear in the weekends, I'd rather choose the new Chronospace with black dial and black Ocean Racer rubber strap, over the SO II.

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Ingenieur - Speedmaster - Submariner