The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello!
This is my first post here. I'm french, and finishing my studies in january 2012. (i am 27 and the watch will mark the end of 10years of studies, and the starting of my professional life as a solicitor in France) Addict of beautiful mechanics, i have got a seiko mechanical and a bnib sticked submariner 16610lv, which will be worn in january and for years.

All is marvellous... BUT the navitimer (not the br01, the 7750 one) tends to grow in me...
Is it reasonable to sell the sub and get a navi as a "lifetime watch"?
The production of the "classic" navi has stopped? Is it a problem for future servicing?
Does the 7750 have plastic parts? How does it compare with the 3135?
Can a air racer bracelet be sold with the watch (the only bracelet i like) and will it fit a 5,3" (16cm) wrist?

I like "adventure tools" and the sub with its waterproofness is equal to the rugged navi ability to help man with its sliding rule... I am lost! All advice will be good! (especially on reliability and servicing in 10 - 20- 30years)

I would be very pleased if you could answer my numerous questions...
Thank you for advance!

Best regards (please excuse my English mistakes)

Xavier

The classic Navi is the caliber 23 which is actually a 7753 base - obviously the same family as the 7750, but tri-compax and no quick set date. In terms of servicing you won't have any issues - the base movement is readily available and because it's way beyond copyright protection there are any number of parts suppliers making parts available. Of course worse case scenario a watchmaker can fabricate their own parts. There is no plastic in a 7753.

The Breitlign specific replacement parts may be more problematic in 50+ years, who knows, but the movement has been so widely used by Breitling I wouldn't be remotely worried - the Rolex will probably be harder as you are dependent on Rolex. All that said, Rolex is in house, 7753 obviously isn't.

Which is the better lifetime watch - well that's personal choice. The Navitimer doesn't have much water resistance, but not sure if that's an issue or not - the Sub obviously has that as a major feature. I would take the Navi as an 'only' lifetime watch, but I am not a Rolex fan, I suspect that most replies will recommend the Sub over the Navi.

Welcome to the site and good luck with the rest of your studies!

Thank you very much!

Salut Xavier et bienvenue à notre forum!

Je partage le meme point de vue que Roff. Mais je pense que tu peux garder ta Rolex et commencer a epargner de l'argent peu à peu et acheter le navi aussi. De cette facon tu vas avoir les deux dans ta collection Effectivement, t'as raison, le Navi avec le caliber 23 a été discontinué alors il faut que tu trouve une dans le marché usagé mail cela peut representer une belle opportunité car tu pourrai trouver un meilleur "deal"...beaucoup moins cher!!

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Alex
Breitling - Navitimer
Breitling - SuperOcean
Breitling - Chrono SuperOcean

And for those of you who don't speak French, here's a translation (kind of... I think...! My French isn't spot on!) -

Hi Xavier and welcome to our forum.

I have the same point of view as Roff. But I think you should keep your Rolex and start saving money little by little to buy the Navi as well. This way you will have both in your collection. Effectively, the Navi with the Caliber 23 has been discontinued so you will probably have to find a second-hand one that may be what you are looking for... but at a much cheaper price!!

Just as an aside guys (and I know this is only one post, but just thought I'd mention it up front) - as this is an English speaking forum, can you post in English please so that everyone can benefit from the information here. Thanks!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Those are two very different watches, both of which I consider keepers, or watches that will still be relevant and still as good looking in 20-30 years.

Both watches are casual for almost any situation, but also dressy enough for most all settings.

I am going to side with Sasho, and say that both is the only logical, well WIS logic that is, answer to the question.

Hahaha ouch the English imperialists impose their will again just kidding of course only jokes

Point taken, thank you. La proxima vez voy a saber que no es bien responder en español tambien

Good translation btw

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Alex
Breitling - Navitimer
Breitling - SuperOcean
Breitling - Chrono SuperOcean

Rational is one of these...

and one of these...


The rest of this stuff is indefensibly goofy madness.

My view too. They're such different watches and complement each other. Why choose just one?