The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So as some of you know, I've been struggling with getting a dive watch for Caribbean vacations and weekends at the lake. Well, I got my Anonimo diver and loved it - until I realized that the numbers were not luminous - just the hands - but man is that one solid timepiece.

My AD was very understanding and offered a return or credit - I took both.

It was a tough choice for me, Breitling Superocean Hertiage - http://japwatches.wordpress.com/2007/08 ... -heritage/
or an
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean - http://www.jomashop.com/omega-2200-50.html

But I went for the Omega. It's just got such a "classic" look and I love the extreme luminosity and simplicity of the watch.

I don't really know why I'm posting this - maybe just to voice that I wish Breitling focused more attention on dive watches. I have a love/hate relationship with Breitling. I love some of their models and others I feel are just lacking certain details and functions - or they're just dated.

Anyway - I can't stop looking at my new timepiece - I'm hiding out in the back office hoping my wife doesn't ask me what I'm doing back here

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PAM359, Omega PO Big Size, 1951 Omega Seamaster, Rolex Sea Dweller

The PO is an awesome watch. I love mine. I do love the SOH also. I just found an AD with the SOHC 125 year LE, both in white and blue. The white one has been a watch I always wanted, but after trying it on, I felt I was a little too big. It's roughly the same size as the PO but the lugs stick out more than the PO.

Anyway, congrats on your new watch.

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

Congrats! I've owned both and, as much as I love the SOH and think it's a great watch, I have to give the edge to the PO - as a dive watch it is virtually perfect (within reason). I'm probably going to get a reputation here as one of the local PO cheerleaders soon.

There are just a couple of things that let the SOH down, but it's all relative. It was certainly an excellent watch for snorkelling in Fiji (which is as close to diving as I'm prepared to go).

I like 'em both very much, but the Omega is certainly a more sensible, versatile, and utilitarian watch. And just as much fun.

I kind of agree with the OP that Breitling don't quite make a "perfect" mechanical "tool" diver's watch these days. For example -

The SO is polished (these days at least) which doesn't quite fit with the dive watch ethos.

The SO II is polished and also doesn't have a pearl on the bezel, so rendering the diver's bezel pretty useless in terms of diving function.

The SOH has no pearl on the bezel, no great lume and is just way too dressy to be a proper divers tool.

The SOSF, while being close to being an ideal diver's watch suffers a little bit legibility wise due to the concentric rings on the dial, and especially on teh silver dial version.

The Seawolf, while being mega depth rated, doesn't have particularly great lume - again not ideal on a divers watch. The newer 'Wolf is better than the old ti version in that respect but still not quite where it should be on a dive watch. This is the closest to a professional diver's watch that Breitling make IMO.

I certainly not having a go at any of the watches above - all of them are very nice (well, except the SOII ) - but they all fail at the last (some more than others) to be a true diving tool watch. In that respect I can see why the PO is popular "real world" diving choice.

IMO, the perfect mechanical Breitling "tool" watch would be an all brushed Seawolf (i.e. without the sides being polished), with much better lume.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Completely agree. While they are all nice watches, for a dive watch you chose wisely. The PO is a great piece of gear.

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An ever changing collection.....

I have a Planet Ocean and a SOHC...and while I absolutely love them both, I have to give the slight edge to the Planet Ocean if you are looking for a pure dive watch. As driver mentioned, the Breitlings that are considered Divers, I don't quit look at them as a pure dive watch.

Good choice with the PO, which one did you go with?

Otto...we already know you're the Planet Ocean cheerleader. Someone has to be....it's an under-appreciated watch for sure!!

Pete...you're right the lugs on the sohc are longer and stick out a bit more than the PO.....they could stick out a foot and I'd still keep the SOHC LE...it looks killer on ocean racer!! But not a dive watch to me.

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

Don't have the PO, but I do like my SeaMaster Pro Chronograph. The lumes are quite bright and it's rated for more depth than I'll ever get to for damn sure. Although my lil Colt SQ isn't really thought of as a true diver I reckon, it has a deeper depth rating than the Omega. The lumes on it are very good and it's taken the plunge on 2 dive trips in Thailand successfully.

Omega SeaMaster ProChronograph

Omega Lumes

Colt SQ II

Colt SQ II Lumes


Yeah I know.....I didn't center the bezel on the SeaMaster before I took the pic....grrrrr!

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I think you made a great choice. I like the PO better than the SOH in every way. The SOHC LE is a different story though. That watch is just beautiful.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

This photo is a great comparison of the lug length. It's easy to see the longer lugs on the SOH. It's funny, the PO is 0.5mm larger but looks smaller in this photo.

The SOH is one beautiful watch though.

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

Isn't the SOH 46mm?

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

I love this watch. If I didn't have 3 seamasters this would be next on my list. Wanna trade for a Great White??

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

Sorry, you're right -- it's been a long day.

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
ROLEX Submariner Ceramic116610LN
OMEGA Plantet Ocean 8500 42mm Orange arabics
OCEAN7 LM-3

Hey Pete, thanks sir I don't see this version of the SM very often on the boards, but I think it's the best looking of the SM models IMO. I would like to add another Omega to my collection at some point and I'm not familiar with the Great White. One I have been considering adding is the Aqua Terra 8500 in the 2 tone version, but it's not really what I would consider a dive watch. Guess I need to go check out the GWs and see what they are about.

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Driver, what do you think about the SOP? Personally IMO I think they missed the boat when they discontinued this model, it would have provided Breitling a true diving watch in all ways don't ya think? All brushed case, amazing depth rating (5000ft/1524m), auto helium release, pearl @ the 12 on the bezel, and good lume...not too mention the yellow dial is supposed to be the best for viewing underwater.

SuperOcean Professional


SuperOcean Professional Lume

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