The Breitling Watch Source Forums

My relatively small collection (now that I've sold my IWC, Omega Speedmaster, and Tag) consists of a Breitling Steelfish, Omega Seamaster Bond, Steinhart GMT (which I'm going to probably sell since it sits there), and Steinhart Nav, but I'm missing a nice dress watch on leather.

I love the IWC Portuguese but it is well out of my price range right now (diamond rings are expensive), so I was looking at the Longines Master collection, but I still love the PO, even though it is another diver. Is there anything else I should be looking at the is around the 3k mark (new or used) that would be a nice dress watch? It's hard to justify 3 dive watches, but I'm having a hard time finding anything that I would rather have than the PO.

--Pat

Sounds to me as though you've answered your own question Pat. I understand what you're saying but the PO is a fabulous and versatile piece. I say go for it but in the end only you can answer the question

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

I would think in value per dollar terms you are getting a whole lot out of the PO. Even if it is a 3rd diver it is still a pretty sweet watch for the bucks.

However....if you are looking at rings for the misses she should have no problem splitting the difference on a dress watch. You have to have something to wear on the big day right?

My suggestion is to only buy it if you absolutely love the watch. If you're buying this just for the sake of buying then I would hold off. Save your money and don't make any hasty decisions. When I look back at some of the pieces I own I wish I saved the money and put all towards an amazing piece. Point being don't settle for something. Only buy it if you love it. Not saying the PO isn't a great piece. Just seems from your wording that you like it but don't really love it.

Just my 2 cents

The main thing I dislike about most "dress" watches is the WR is typically 30M. My vote would be for an Omega Railmaster or Aqua Terra. WR is 150M. Also, the Railmaster is a great watch. I also agree with others, with your cash reserve it is important not to lose depreciation on a watch you don't really want. But, you could not go wrong with a Railmaster!

R/

Putting a watch on a leather band does not make it a "dress" watch. I'm a HUGE fan of the PO and admittedly, the 45mm is a bit too large as a 'dress' watch if you are a normal sized guy - but IMO, going down to a 42mm doesn't make it more of a 'dress' watch if you put a leather strap on it. IE - my PAM has a leather strap on it and while I do feel I can wear it as a dress watch, it only works with certain outfits / looks.

I'm a fan of dive watches myself - when I want to wear a 'dress' watch, I wear my Rolex or my vintage Omega speedmaster - don't rule out vintage my friend - you can get some incredible watches much cheaper than $3,000 that aren't only dress, but they are timeless as well.

Good luck

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

I do love the Aqua Terra Chronograph in the White face, but it's about double my price range, but I never did think about a Railmaster.

And I agree, just because a watch is on leather doesn't make it a dress watch. I'd love to grab a White/Silver Navitimer, but they're above my price range for just about all the used ones I've seen.

. A vintage piece might be a great watch to wear on your wedding day.

I've seen a couple Breitling Cockpits ( the big date ones) showing up here lately. A little sporty but could certainly work as a dress watch. I second the Aqua Terra, even the old model was a very nice watch, simple and elegant. Totally different size and shape, but I have started looking at JLC Reversos. Some of the basic models aren't too expensive used.

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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

If there is such a thing as a dress watch on a polished bracelet, and I think there is, then the Cockpit is it. That is why I bought mine and where it fits in the rotation. It fit a very small niche in the Breitling lineup - a non-chrono that isn't a dive watch. If someone said, "You can only keep 2 lings," it would be the Navi 01 and Cockpit.

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SHARKMAN

Have you considered a Breitling Chrono SuperOcean?? You can find a really good value on a pre-owned model for less than a PO...and it gives you a day / date function. For the money you can't go wrong.

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

I bet that SOC would look very nice on a black strap.

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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

It does. I wear mine on the bracelet, a DPII, and black or brown crocodile. Pretty versatile watch.

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SHARKMAN

totally agree... I got too greedy in the beginning and started picking up everything and anything... of course started off with the vintage, made some expensive mistakes but all in all a good learning experience...

it's just my tastes have gotten more expensive...

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

I'd sell the Bond, buy a PO and a vintage dress watch.