The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello all,
This is my first post to a truly great forum. I am a trial lawyer who is in court 3-4 times a week. Most of my clients are not high dollar by any means. I am 42 and have been a lawyer for about 12 years. I only mention these things so you have an idea of the person behind the watch. I have an older tag professional series watch but that's about it. I am in the market for a new watch. I have narrowed my choices down to super avenger black dial with silver subdials with bracelet and the navitimer world white dial with bracelet. I truly LOVE both watches and I'm having a really hard time deciding. I am concerned about the size of the super avenger being that I'll be wearing suits a lot but I'm also pretty active outside of court so it will have multiple uses. My concern about the navitimer is how well it will hold up during the non-business times. I really love the look of this watch but it appears only suited for dressy occasions. Can you guys provide some insight on this one? Is the super avenger too much for dress? Is the navitimer best suited for dress only?
Thank you

Hate to offer opinions on these A vs. B as it's such a personal choice, but what I will say is that an SA may not fit under a shirt cuff very well. The only real 'ruggedness' issue with the World is that it isn't particularly water resistnt so not suitable for any water related sports / activities.

Welcome to BreitlingSource.

I am a lawyer too and I have two Breitling SA's, please see my recent post with pictures. I have never had a problem with my Breiltings whilst wearing a suit, which I do regularly. The only problem you will find when others see the Breilting on your wrist is that they will immediately conclude that you earn too much money

I highly recommend these watches and best of luck with your deliberations!

im about as big a superavenger fan as there is, but i think navi world silver on bracelet is the most lawyerly, if that makes sense.

Go for the Navi World, or spend a little more and get the Navitimer B01

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

As another one of "those guys", my first question to you is whether you are sure you want a watch that big? If you have 7 1/2 inch wrists or larger I suppose you could pull it off. I'm 7 3/4 and to me, a SA looks cartoonish on my wrist, dress shirt or polo. I have a 3mm smaller Navi than the World, and it still gets more attention than any other watch I wear, with the all-dial face and the case shape. Mine is white, too, which only magnifies it. If your wrist can pull it off, great. But I at least feel like I should bring it up.

If you are concerned about your less-affluent clients, I would be a little careful here. On the other hand, you've been practicing for a while, a nice watch might be expected and there's no sin in having one. They want to see that you have had some success, and outside of the "uniform" a watch is all that most guys have to show. The volume level is the issue.

Between the two, I'd personally take the Navi, but that's partly by default. If you like the Avenger look, a 45mm Avenger might be a less-out-there choice. The Avenger series is really nice, and more traditional looking except for the size. Oddly, maybe the more conservative choice for that reason. The Navi is actually a great casual watch, and you can maybe try a strap on it for casual as well. But it's not a water watch. And it will get some attention, especially in white. If your wrist can pull it off, maybe the black SA is best.

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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

Chronomat 01 should be explored. They are rugged, good water resistance, and are sporty and dressy. An all- around watch that meets your specs. I wore my SA with my suit the other day and I had to leave my shirt cuff buttons undone and I imagine it could be a problem with french cuffs so if you need a watch for the courtroom/ office then I say navitimer but if you want something to wear on weekends too then I say go with the chronomat 01!

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Chrono Superocean (Black)
Rolex Datejust II rhodium/ Arabic dial

If it's the style of the SA that wins out, also put me in the Avenger suggestion, camp. I have a 7.5" wrist, and had an SA which I think fit ok, but to do over especially in the context you describe, my choice would definitely be the Avenger. I haven't paid much attention to prices but would guess there would be some money left over for a croc and rubber strap. It's now occurred to me I wouldn't might having all that too.

I personally think an SA is too over the top for a Lawyer to wear... and I say that having a 6.75 and loving it. But I only practice posts, not law.

BTW... I do think the Navi is the choice.

I sold 2 b01 to lawyers this week alone, it also a great choice. my brother wears his daily with a suit. i wear a suit most of the time and my sa's are too bog to fit right. the 48mm motors is ok cause its thinner

I intentionally didn't read the responses before commenting.

Nothing against the SA or the World(white dial), but either one of those is going to be noticed and it will say - "MONEY!!" That is the last thing I want to project to a jury in a courtroom.

I would wear a rolex Sub or GMT because they really don't JUMP out and HOLLER at ya. But LARGE POLISHED watches? No, never.

OK one exception. If it's just a hearing before a judge only and he rules against me and then says, "Anything else Mr. Sharkman?" I can subtly raise my left forearm while feigning a scratch of the forehead to expose the watch as if to say, "No D###head, but SEE THIS? I make 3 times as much as you."

I'm always going to take the watch choice down a couple notches if a jury is involved.

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SHARKMAN

The issue Shark raises about juries is right, and something I didn't initially consider. A very low percentage of civil matters go to trial here. In front of a jury, I keep it low key. I have worn my GMT occasionally to trial and I have worn my old vintage tuning-fork Accutron. You can have a nice watch, a lot of jurors assume we are wealthy anyway, but I think it should easily fit under your shirt cuff. Neither the SA or World will do that. I don't want their attention drawn to my wrist.

If I'm before a judge only, which is sadly most of my time in court, I'll wear whatever.

I have corporate or insurance company clients, and some professionals. Some of them don't mind a nice watch, and some are afficionados themselves. If I'm meeting them for the first time, though, I try to be a little careful. People understand a stainless Rolex and a Chronomat or Evo in stainless--I haven't seen one of those raise eyebrows. I wore my old blue Steelfish, too. It was a little larger but relatively basic, no chrono and big arabics. If I know the client, I would wear any of my watches. But I don't have anything over 44mm. Big watches have been the trend but not everybody bought into it. I know people who would look at you funny for wearing a 46mm Swiss Army stainless, while a 40mm Sub wouldn't bother them at all. They equate size with cost, and with ego.

If you have an eight inch or larger wrist, maybe you can handle the watches you suggest. But I know I couldn't, and I would hesitate to wear one that size, with my wrist size.

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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

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses; I will definitely take all of your opinions into consideration when making my final decision. I must admit that I am leaning towards the navitimer and if it wasn't for the water resistance issues it would be a much easier decision. In the end, I will probably end up getting both, so deciding which one to get first makes the decision less pain-staking. However, there will be some significant time between buying the first and the second one (probably a year) so I want to get the one I most like now and have no regrets during the interim. Also, considering how a jury would react is very important and will factor heavily into my decision but I have a life outside of work and want to be able to buy and wear what I like. During times when I'm in trial, I could always throw on my trusty, very low key tag and go about my business because either one may seem a bit over the top.

Maybe if I go with the croc strap, neither will seem as flamboyant. Are the bands difficult to swap? Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions. I will definitely let you know what I select.
BTW- I live in VA and work in DC. None of the local ADs could touch the price of an AD I found in NY. Are there any concerns with buying from an AD in another state and having it shipped? Also, can I assume that because it is an AD, there are no concerns regarding authenticity?
Thank you

hey princeton3.

first off, private message "fear" on here to get your watch. you wont match his price....

secondly. i think if you got the navitimer with a leather strap etc. it wouldnt be noticed at all...

in all honesty, now days. so many fashion makers are producing god awful huge ugly,blingy watches.... i.e. diesel,
it wouldnt be automatically assumed its a high dollar piece. BUT, since you are a lawyer. they will most likely assume ANY watch you have is expensive.... lol

the super avenger just screams. LOOK AT ME!! (thats why i sold an omega to get one... )

so overall, navitimer with leather strap is the "low key" answer....

I picked up a silver b01 off fear and wore it fine with a suit today during business meetings without issue. Fit under an unaltered cuff easily.





Looks great and got a compliment.

There's a guide to changing straps here - http://www.breitlingsource.com/video_ar ... p%20Change

The site has two US based AD sponsors who can help you out and would ship out of state - Govbergs in PA (contact jnelson3097) and Provident in FL (contact FEAR).

If you buy from an AD it will be real.