The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I personally like these watches, and actually have been trying to get one used...
Design is good, looks like a real strong watch with good movement, but WHY are they SO expensive?
company was established in 1992, it's not like they have a classic history like IWC or Breitling or Tags...
I honestly believe they are way way overpriced.

Anyone have any experience with these watches?
Are there any good companies that make these particular style of watches? (All i know is Sinn)

I'm a big fan, had a BR01 and a BR02, still got the latter - check my posts in the gallery. Something very different for weekends, and they feel great on the wrist to me.

Retail prices are too high though, so I got both of mine online (one from a second-hand dealer in the US, one from an overseas AD via a middleman) for much less than retail, which gets rid of what seems to be most people's biggest criticism of them.

Been finding myself more and more attracted to the idea of getting a BR03 Phantom lately, despite my usual PVC aversion.

I have a BR03 Phantom and absolutely LOVE IT! I dont care for the nylon strap and keep it on the rubber one, but it is hands down my most comforatble watch. I also get lots of compliments (from guys) on how cool it looks. The only down side to this model is the lume isnt all that great and at night can prove to be a challenge to read the dial.

I think they are a bit over priced, but the used market always seems to have a decent price on them. There have been several Phantoms on the FOR SALE section, here lately.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I think the BR01 is just way to big, I tried it on and it looked like a license plate on my wrist, the 03 is pretty nice and I like the 02, but like Otto said, I think the retail price is way to high, JMHO.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

I had a BR01 and sold it after wearing it for a day or two. They look cool in a box or in a picture, but silly on the wrist, at least for me.

I only like the BR02 Chronograph. The BR01 and BR03 do nothing for me at all.

But yes, all B&R's are grossly overpriced for what they are IMHO. Very standard movements in cases that aren't drawing on a rich history or anything. If their retail was half what it actually is they'd be just about OK.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I was looking for an oversized, BIG watch last year and fell in love with the BR01-96.
Wasn't overly keen on paying £2,500+ on a "fashion" watch.

I went and bought a U-Boat Classico 53 instead at half the price to satisfy my lust for a big watch,until I got my SA recently.


May one day still pick up a used BR01 though if the price is right.
Pictures don't really do them justice, in the flesh they do look very nice.

Yes please,

I have a B&R 01-92 Heritage awaiting delivery from a site member.

While some site members will question the technical quality of the B&R (Driver ) and the price charged for the internal components, sometimes I buy goods based only on the look of the piece/object. When buying a painting or object of art I may buy only on its appeal to me, not on the parts that go to make up the piece, or the work that has gone into creating it, just the look. My wife who is an artist may comment on the technical quality of the artists brush strokes or use of colours, but if it catches my eye, its time to get my wallet out.

I like the aircraft instrument look of the watch and that is why I have purchased it. (well 50% so far, thanks Altair)

Ian.

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Navitimer World, Callistino.
Omega Speedmaster Moon, Hamilton 992B, Steinhart BS LEII #2, B&R 01-92 Heritage

Nothing wrong with that approach at all, Ian!

I don't have any problem at all with standard ETA movements if they're priced accordingly, but I just think B&R are a little on the expensive side. But no doubt "Altair's Jewellery Emporeum" did you a great deal, so you've probably got a very cost effective piece of kit there!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I have a BR03 Stainless and BR02 Carbon. 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

My AD had a used 01 - PVD with white arabics and rose gold case top/bezel. It looked great! Until I put it on. Price was reasonable. I wouldn't hesitate to get an 02 or 03 if the right one came up at the right time.

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SHARKMAN

Too me (someone who has a 7 1/2" wrist and used to wear an SA), the BR01 looks like a licence plate on my wrist. I didnt like the size from the very first time I tried them on. I think its the square shape because a U-Boat dont look too bad on my wrist. I stuck with the BR03 and love it. The size for a square watch head seems just right on the BR03. The BR02 look to generic for my taste.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I like their easy to read dial features, but don't like the "square" models.
The have some really nice marine/divers models, but the price is out of line.

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Chrono Avenger M1, Ti- yellow dial, on Pro II Ti bracelet.
Avenger Code Yellow LE, on Diver Pro II strap, w/arabic dial.

I am liking them a lot just picked this up

The only ones I like the look of are the Professional series.

I actually had a Type Demineur... Sold it, because I didn't like the bezel... There was some play in it, and it only took a small amount of pressure to turn. I assumed this is because the watch is designed for the French bomb disposal unit... A stiff, rugged bezel with no play is great for diving, but could interfere with the "light touch" a bomb disposal expert must affect while disarming explosives... Might be tough to go from tiny, light finger movements to cranking a stiff bezel, and then immediately back to ultra fine, light motor-control.

Overall, the watch was great-looking (seriously gorgeous), well-made, extremely accurate, and fairly rugged... Although as stated above, I am unsure how the bezel would fare over extended wearing... It could be fine, or that light movement and play could morph into just sloppy looseness over the years...