The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Been lurking for a while but I though I would post an observation thus asking the queston why?

I've always felt the Navitimer was the iconic Breitling. Timeless and if you only have one, that should be it. As an avid watch collector (around 20), I try to purchase a brands icon watch before delving into some of their other models.

But as I look though the many post it seems the Blackbird is the #1 choice for most in this forum.

If you were only to have 1 Brietling, why the love of the Blackbird over the Navitimer?

Help me understand or tell me if I'm wrong.

Thanks

Jim

lots of people love navitimer, some bb, some superavengers, they are all greatin their own way. im not a big navitimer fan, i prefer some more chunk to a watch and a real bezel. but i understand the navitimer and respect it. as my partner at work says, " thats why they make tea AND coffee"

I haven't really noticed this imbalance. An explanation could be that the people who post on an internet forum might be more likely to own a Super Avenger or Blackbird than a Navitimer. It's a younger crown on here so the "classic" appeal of the Navi might not trump the "big and (often) flashy" SA's ,etc... Just a thought.

If I had to pick only one watch that is quintessentially Breitling, I'd say the Navitimer.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I am with FEAR on this.

I have had Navitimers and still have the 24 Chrono Matic.
I suppose it's a personality thing (one of the exs used to call me her bit of rough).

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

I have a BB but I do love the Navi. I think that the BB gets a bit more love because of it's superior water resistance and I think that maybe it can go from sporty to dressy a little easier than the Navi. They're both great and the next time I wind up getting a Breitling it's gonna be a Navi because to me it really is the most iconic Breitling.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

I do not believe age has anything to do with it, I am 23, own a Navi and I have no intention of ever buying a BB. Maybe a B4B later down the line but have my eyes on Rolex Daytona before coming back to Breitling.

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Breitling Navitimer 1461 jours silver dial with dark glazed cognac alligator strap

That's my sense too. I'm thinking of going Navi for my next purchase. Just not sure whether to go 806 or more modern.

i love the navitimer because it has such a iconic design... the most beautiful watch in the world!

ofcourse i understand why others love a BB, also great!

everybody has a own opinion and taste.

A watch's iconic status makes no difference to me if I don't like the watch itself. If I were to forsake personal preference to go with a watch everyone else considers to be "the" watch to own, then I'm basically letting others tell me what I should get. I'm not saying I dislike the Navitimer; however, I do find the dials to be overly busy, and I have no need for the slide rule. Also, I generally prefer the design elements of the (older) Windrider and Aeromarine models. Per my tastes, the Blackbird just has the "it" factor that the Navitimer doesn't, regardless of which watch has what status.

Yup

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Id disagree that the BB is the "#1" choice on this forum. It certainly appears to be well liked, but id say its just lumped into the same category as the Chronomat, Super Avenger, Steelfish, etc., in the sense that its popular simply because it looks good and is versatile. I find the Navi to be for the buyer that is looking for a dressier sort of watch, or for somebody who already owns a watch or two (or more).

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-RJ

Idefinitely agree with that, even though I think the Navi is the most Breitling of Breitlings if I didn't like it I wouldn't want one.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Watches that have been around multiple decades are typically what I call the icon for that brand.

I'm going to use JLC as my example. The icon for that brand is the Reverso. I had seen it multiple times but each time I passed on it because it was just too small. Then I ran across a good deal on one and picked it up. Given time, this has become my favorite watch.

I guess what I'm trying to say is 'sometimes you don't know how good something is until you own it'. Really, the same thing happened with my Omega Speedmaster.

If I'm totally turn off by a watch, I won't buy it. But in reality, if a watch has endured the passage of many years, there's nomally a reason for it even if you can't see it. Again, you don't understand (appreciate) until own it.

When I look through your forum pages, I see such a scattering of opinions tied to 'if I only could have one Breitling which would it be' or 'my first Brietling, what should I get'.

I agree that it's not just the BB. The SA get's a lot of love here too. Along with the Aveneger and steelfish mixed in. I also didn't realize that it is a younger crowd here which helps me understand this age group would enjoy the 'bling' factor.

As I continue with my hobby, diversity in brand, shapes, colors, and sizes of watches will dominate.

Recently, I visited a Brietling AD. And as much as I enjoy simple watches, I must admit the white SA is an awesome looking watch.

Jim

As a proud owner of both a Navitimer and a BB, I would by far consider the Navitimer to be the iconic model for Breitling over the BB. I would say this as the Navitimer has been around since the 1950s (I'm guessing?), and has had several different model styles over the decades. The blackbird is available in a couple different styles as well, but not nearly as much as the Navi.
Both watches are beautiful in their own respect, but as far as owning the "icon" breitling: Navitimer.

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Nick


Rolex Datejust 18K + SS

Navitimer 01 L.E.

I don't like the BB. Navitimer.

Navitimers, SuperAvengers and the ani-dig models for me.