The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Oh and here is what actually prompted my starting this topic. I just had to pick this little gem up and give it a good home. I could hear it calling my name and I loved the dial color. I may need to seek professional help...now that I'm hearing watches talking...or do any of ya'll hear those same voices too?

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Most of the $410 price tag is for the folding clasp, you can get a replacement strap only for about $100 or you can get a DPII with a tang buckle for about $125 I believe.

S

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Steel Fish (Blue Dial)

I'm a newer member here. I just got my first Breitling in May of 2010. I chose the Chrono SuperOcean white face with blue subs. I chose to go with the brown Croco strap with deployment buckle. I love it. I'm 30, and in my mind definitely not an "Old Man." However, I am thinking that I would like the Pro Bracelet II some time in the NEAR future.

sco

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sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic

I wholeheartedly endorse the Breitling rubber straps with folding clasp.

The micro-adjustment is incredibly functional. I am still amazed at how much my comfort level throughout the day changes with wrist shrinkage and expansion. With the expansion it is just a quick push or pull from being just how I like it.

If your watch head is polished I think the clasp actually looks better. Too much steel can be a bad thing, and the clasp is just enough to compliment, but not be overpowering. Go with the rubber. you wont regret it.

As for the leather straps for old guys....I just have to completely disagree with that.

I posted this information in the Buy/Sell section regarding a bracelet in question, however I thought I would share this with any that are interested or would know the answer:

The 3-segment Breitling Professional bracelet was the standard steel band for the Aeromarine and several Professional lineup models until 2006 (then replaced by the Professional II).

This bracelet was made of stainless steel, titanium, solid white gold, or solid yellow gold. The interhorn width is usually 20mm (Superocean series, Aerospace, etc.) or 22mm (Avenger series, Emergency, etc.).

The one intended for the Superocean has a polished center link, and brushed outer links. The earlier bracelets have hollow end links, and the more recent have solid end links. Their reference numbers are 861A (with pins), 881A or 878A—and some others. (NOTE: I believe the author of this got the inner and outer links backwards in his description of brushed vs polished)


A used 861A Professional bracelet

The SuperOcean Professional had a specific, all-brushed Professional bracelet. There have been 3 such dedicated Pro bracelets: 864A (with hollow end links and pins) and 865A (with hollow end links and screws) for the A17045 SOP, and 879A (with solid end links and screws) for the A17345 SOP.


The brushed 865A Professional bracelet

That bracelet comes with a convenient dive suit extension under the clasp (in contrast to the Professional II). Like all mid-2000s Breitling bracelets, it sports a micro-adjustment clasp.


REF: Website http://donindiano.lanetcie.com/watches/breitling/bands/professional_bracelet

So basically as I am understanding it...the 861A Professional will fit my A17045 SOP, but the original Professional bracelet that came with the A17045 SOP was the 865A.

Is that how ya'll read this?

Thanks to all who have thrown a word in on this string too...

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I'm a happy owner of an Aerospace for the past 2.5yrs, and I just picked up a Diver Pro 2 Rubber strap. I had two thoughts on this, 1) I think the strap makes the watch look a bit more sporty, and 2) I like the idea of preserving the bracelet when I deploy to the desert. And I can always throw the bracelet back on for nicer occasions if need be.

On a side note, the watch is constantly changing functions when I have the rubber strap on (so to speak) due to the way the bezel moves across my wrist. It's annoying when I "hack" only to look down a couple min later and see that my watch is no longer displaying the chrono. This was never a problem with the bracelet. Has anyone experienced this/found a fix?

Thanks for all the input on this, I managed to pick up an aftermarket rubber strap deployant on the cheap in order to keep the OEM Rubber in "Mint" condition. I would still like to throw a bracelet on it, as I really like bracelets, but I still haven't been able to figure out if that 861A will work on my SOP and would hate to waste the $ just to find out it won't work. Frankly, I can't see why it wouldn't, but hate to part with the cash for something I can't use.

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My yellow-rose gold Headwind, has a rubber strap and looks nice!!!!!, real eye-catcher. It depends on your taste and use.

Ed

I just purchased a rubber strap for my Chrono Cockpit, which was fitted originally with the Pilot Bracelet - which I really like as well. The quality of the rubber is so much better compared to other rubber straps I have had in the past. I agree with one poster about the price on the strap with the deployment clasp. The difference for me would have been $350.00 between the deployment strap and the strap I purchased with the tang. It is ridiculous to think that the deployment clasp would be worth that kink of money. I guess they figure that if you have the money to purchase the watch then what's anothe $450.00 for a rubber strap!

Nevertheless, I am very happy with the contrasting look between the two looks as shown below. It is like having two different watches. Sorry for the crappy backdrop for the rubber bracelet.

I get the replacement rubber pieces for the deployment at $65, so the price tag is mostly for the deplyment clasp. And it's worth every penny - wonderfully engineered mechanism, allows the strap to be precisely fit to the wrist after it is put on. That deploy is a must have piece.

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SHARKMAN

+1

Rubber is a good choice if function is your prime motivation and it's on a diver's watch. Other than that I'd take the bracelet almost every time. And if any of my watches aren't on a bracelet, then they're on leather. I certainly don't hate rubber straps like to do rubber parts on the watch head, but they are definitely my bottom choice on a prestige watch. I just don't think rubber is a very luxurious material.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Has anyone just purchased the deployment clasp and does anyone know what the cost would be?

Most prices here - http://www.breitlingsource.com/pricelis ... ection=ASC

OR / Pro II deployant is $410 I believe.

[quote="Roffensian

Most prices here - http://www.breitlingsource.com/pricelis ... ection=ASC

OR / Pro II deployant is $410 I believe.[/quote]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. For the price I think I will stick with the pro diver with the tang buckle