The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am 23 and looking to get my first high end luxury watch. I was always interested in breitlings but have fallen out of love with them. I figured I would continue saving until I found a timeless watch that has an in house movement. I came to the conclusion that I love the new Sub C and the PAM 312. I am looking for a watch I can wear everyday that will last me for a long time. I work in finance and would also be planning on wearing this in the office, to the beach, and pretty much everywhere else i go. Now in your opinion, what should I go for?

Both pics were taken at an AD:

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

Sub C. for me but then again I am bias! I think you fall into the category that buy rolex for what they are and not as a status symbol......

That been said i know nothing about Panerai, or do I want to or next think I'll have one

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

Geez...could you have picked 2 watches that are more different? It is extremely difficult to compare these...I personally like the 312 better, but if you are looking for 1 watch to fit the bill for all occasions then the Submariner is probably more versatile.

Get the Sub-C then start saving for the 312...that would be a great 1-2 punch.

What's the retail $ on each?

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

I think the list on the 312 is around $7,500, and I believe that the Sub-C is about $7,800 list.

I lot of truth there - the Sub C on a real bracelet with the best engineered and functional clasp I have ever worn or the 312 with the added bit of buying lots of straps.

Even if the 312 were smaller, I'd still go with the Sub C. You don't need to change looks on it - it is perfect just as it is. And it grows on you more and more as you have it. If it came to it, it would be my "one watch."

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SHARKMAN

Both are really different. The Rolex is bracelet all the time and the Panerai will be nothing but straps. (they have a bracelet, but appearantly noone wears one!). Probably for an all around, wear anywhere and do anything.. the Sub-C (and that is from a very happy 312 owner). I dont own a Rolex, but just picking one of these two.... I would probably lean towards the Sub.*



*but start saving immediately for the 312!

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

I voted Rolex. Has been around for decades and will continue to hang around for a few more. Not sure I can say the same about the PAM. The Sub-C is a classic, period.

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Alex
Breitling - Navitimer
Breitling - SuperOcean
Breitling - Chrono SuperOcean

I love the 312 but I'd go with the Sub-c if I were to choose one. The Sub is a classic and a timeless design and I think that it's one of the few watches that can look perfect in any situation. I think either one would be a great choice.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Here's how you decide - hold the Sub C in the store at an uncrowded and quiet time. Slowly turn the bezel. If "it moves," buy the Sub. And I don't mean the bezel.

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SHARKMAN

Owning variations of both (GMT and PAM 48) I think the Panerai is more distinctive. If it's a concern, you will far less likely see your watch coming and going. Then again, wherever you are in your career, you might not want to be as distinctive. You can be an honest devotee of the movements and craftsmanship, but in many circles these are still image statements on your wrist. Movement-wise, I don't know much about the Panerai in-house, but the Rolex in-house is such a proven machine. If you go Panerai, you have more versatility with the bands and can have several looks with one watch. But if you're going to wear your $7K watch to the beach and rough it (maybe a cheapie for sports activities?) I think you are better off with the steel bracelet of a Rolex. Panerai has a strong versatility argument for an only watch, but I lean to the Rolex.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

great question. i have not voted as of yet but have the exact same question as which is the better piece. i think if you had to chose just one i might lean slighly more towards the sub c. only because it seems like something that you will appreciate more and more year that passes.

I was in your same shoes 6 years ago

Go PAM

What in finance do you do?

Rolex & Panerai actually shared a common history, so this choice may not be as far apart as it may first appear. While Rolex is the grandaddy, Panerai has recently become extremely popular, as showned by how many watch magazines' covers a Panerai has dominated the last year.

While you can't go wrong with the Rolex, Panerai has the younger, more hip, ubber-cool, "in-crowd" image -- but with the weight of its (actually substantial) history & fanatical community to lend it substance.

For a 23 yr old finance executive on the up & up, a Rolex seemed so predictable, so... meh, imho. The 312 would be PERFECT.

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a few Pams...

I love both and own similar models (359 and Deepsea) that are more fitting to my style and size. But i voted panerai simply because it is less common and in my opinion hard to get bored with, the Rolex looses a bit of its apeal after a while and really isnt a watch you look down and still say "oooh" after a few months.

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Certified watch nut.