The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi,

Its been so long that I have posted on these forums. Hope everybody is doing well!

I've got the watch bug again. Last time I was here I bought my first Breitling, the Superocean. That was two years ago in 2008. Crazy how time flys by. Anyways, I am extremely happy with this watch and I intend to keep it forever. I wear it all the time and get so many compliments. Its the best watch I have. Here are a few pictures of my baby:



I am looking to get another watch next February for my birthday. Here are my options. If possible, I would appreciate getting your input on what I should get next:

The IWC Aquatimer Automatic 2000 black dial on metal bracelet



The Omega Planet Ocean 42mm



I know this is not a dive watch, but I've always wanted one. Maybe for my other birthday or as an Xmas gift for 2011 since I don't wish to buy another Breitling, I would like to get something different to diversify a bit :

Breitling Navitimer




Please share your thoughts, any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Alex

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Alex
Breitling - Navitimer
Breitling - SuperOcean
Breitling - Chrono SuperOcean

IWC. The omega and navi don't even come close to that watch IMO. It's in another league.

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"Don't Touch The Watch." - Patrick Bateman

I have the chrono version of the Aquatimer, the 45MM Planet Ocean, and used to have the Navi. Talk about 3 great watches!!

The PO is just great. You can't go wrong there.

But I would definitely choose the AT. The yellow/black is a great combo. The sapphire capped bezel is a plus over the enameled PO bezel. Do yourself a favor - get the bracelet AND the rubber strap. The quick change strap mecahnism is almost wasted without both bracelet and strap. You can literally change from bracelet to strap in 10 seconds sitting in traffic. And the bracelet can be sized with nothing but 2 toothpicks. Pretty cool engineering.


Edit - left out the Navi since OP indicated it was a consideration down the road. Otherwise the discussion would be much different - still with ya Marie!

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SHARKMAN

If you already consider yourself as having a diver, which you plan to keep forever, and want to diversify, then the Nav is your only choice as the other 2 are divers.

I own a handful of different Navitimer models, I've never owned an Omega, but I love the IWC. Like previously said the sapphire capped bezel if pretty freaking cool.

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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

+1 IWC

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Navitimer World

I'd have to say I like the PO better than the IWC. I don't really like the IWC non-chrono Aquatimer, but I even like the PO chrono better than the Aquatimer chrono, but that's just me. I'm also not really into the yellow. If you want a Navi though I'd wait for the standard Navi 01, which would add a bit of diversity as opposed to having 2 divers. You really can't go wrong with any of them though.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

The Navi is a great watch, but is totally different from the other watches you listed...having almost no water resistance. You would almost need to throw in something along the lines of the Steelfish or the Seawolf to have a Breitling that compared with the IWC and Omega.

I think the Omega PO is a nice watch, but I have never been a fan of Omega. The IWC AT2000 is a really nice watch, and can be worn in many different situations. As Shark mentioned...the 2 different bracelet/strap options are really nice, and can be changed out in about 10 seconds...and no damage to your lugs!! The bezel really is a thing of beauty, and the lume is really cool in 2 colors.

The AT2000 is 45mm...so why the Omega PO in 42mm? Why not the larger version?

Sounds like you have already ruled out the Navi for right now. Based on the Superocean that you own and Navi that you like.....you seem to like watches in the 43mm and under range. You may be more happy with the 42mm Planet Ocean than the 45mm IWC.

The IWC has a quick strap change system and a great lume but I prefer the clean look of the Planet Ocean....and my PO is extremely extremely accurate. You should be able to pick up the PO for less than the IWC.

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

I would suggest the Navi if you hadn't already put it on the back-burner, since it is so different from the other two, and as others have said, to diversify out of dive watches might be a nice idea.

That said, between the Omega and the IWC, I would go for the Omega; the bezel on the IWC is definitely a cool feature, but it's larger and more expensive than the Omega, and it has more classical styling. While the IWC does look really good, it's very distinctive in its style and, to me, is less versatile than the Omega, as it definitely says sports watch.

...You know, the more I look at it, the more I like the IWC. Even so, I still think the Omega is the practical option.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Sorry for the confusion, I wasn't very clear when I said I wanted to diversify so your comments make sense for sure. I meant I wanted to diversify my brands. I want to start my collection and I love diver watches. That is why I have two other brands of diver watches there. However, I really like the Navi...so long story short, I am confused...that is why I wanted to solicit some help from pro's like you guys.

Thanks

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Alex
Breitling - Navitimer
Breitling - SuperOcean
Breitling - Chrono SuperOcean

Tough question as all three are good watches.

For me if you want to diversify away from Breitling then, between the PO and the IWC, it's hard to go past the IWC, just a step-up in quality IMO. If however price and/or size are factors, then buy the PO and put the difference towards the Navi.

As always though, buy the watch the you like!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Thanks for your comments John.

Secretly the watch I am placing last is the PO. I know its a super fine watch, collectible, super precise, and everybody and their mother has one. This is kinda embarrassing but I have really skinny wrists...lol... ... 6.5 inches so when I tried the PO 45.5mm it fit like a plate on my wrist. The smaller version fit much better.

I find that if the watches I wear are thicker they fit better on my wrist. I know this is crazy since Breitlings are huge and the IWC too. However, they just seem to work and feel very comfy on my arm. I was surprised, but its true.

After reading all the comments I think it would make sense to negotiate with the store and get both the bracelet and strap. I saw just how fast you can switch and its super cool...

Another criteria that I am considering for my second watch is a bit of exclusivity. I think the IWC is the watch you see the least out in public. The PO the most. IMO the Navi is a pure classic that you don't see too too often in public, less than the PO anyways, which makes it special.

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Alex
Breitling - Navitimer
Breitling - SuperOcean
Breitling - Chrono SuperOcean

Thanks for your comments mfserge, anez, Tim S

Some very good points indeed. Actually I am thinking now, if you exclude the brand as a differentiating factor, the Navi is the most unique and the one that would stand out in my little collection of two so far...

How many of you guys own only Breitlings and no other brands???

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Alex
Breitling - Navitimer
Breitling - SuperOcean
Breitling - Chrono SuperOcean