The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've just got back from a week in Catalunya and I spent a couple of days in Barcelona, seeing the sights and generally lapping up the atmosphere of that great city. It's undoubtedly one of my top 5 cities ever, and I thoroughly enjoyed it there. And in addition to the great architecture and general vibe of the place, they also have some superb watch shops! (No pictures unfortunately as, like a prat, I left my mobile in the hotel when I went watch-window-shopping).

I finally managed to see and handle a Transocean Chrono LE, and I can safely say it's jumped to the top of my "best Breitling" list - better than the Navi 01 IMO. Just spot on in every respect.

I can also say that the Zenith Stratos Flyback (https://www.thewatchgallery.co.uk/zenit ... 14-zen-375) is superb, and pictures just don't do it any justice. Even the DLC (generally yuk!) version is a damn fine looking watch.

The rose gold Breguet Marine Royal Alarm (http://professionalwatches.com/2010/04/ ... oyale.html) is utterly incredible, as are a number of the latest Hublot models ( ).

I also had a chance to inspect a number of Franck Muller models for the first time, and while they aren't usually my thing, I was far more impressed with a number of them than I thought I would be. Superb finish and they seemed to wear very well.

Patek, Panerai, Cartier, Breguet, Breitling, Omega, Rolex, Franck Muller, Blancpain, Ulysse Nardin, Hublot, Graham, Audemars Piguet, Tudor, Zenith...... the list goes on and on. The only place I've seen to rival it is Bond Street in London.

If you get the chance to visit Barcelona, I heartily recommend it for any number of non-horological reasons....... but you'll also have access to some seriously fine watch shops as well!

Now something I need your help with :- I also saw two watches that I really like the look of, but I can't for the life of me remember who they were made by. All I can say is that they had a bit of a "Patek Nautilus" shape to the case, and were 56mm across according to the blurb (I guess including the Nautilus-style crown setup). If anyone has any ideas, I'd be interested.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Barca is, without doubt, my favourite city in the world.

Gaudi was a genius. Love the place!

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For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
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some day....................

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SHARKMAN

@Sharkmouth - totally agree with you : Gaudi was a genius. La Sagrada Familia is absolutely mind-boggling, as are his other architectural works of art dotted around the city such as Casa Batllo. Love it. Me and the future Mrs Driver8 are planning another trip back there in a few months.

No-one got any ideas on this bit of my original post? It's driving me nuts not being able to remember the manufacturer! -

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Driver8

Site Moderator

One of the guys I work with is from Barcelona originally and still goes back quite a bit. I've never been, but based on his photos it looks very cool.

I wouldn't have thought that a 56mm Nautilus would be difficult to place, but I have absolutely no idea. Do you remember if we are talking $500, $5,000 or $50,000???

I know what you mean - a Nautilus-style watch of those dimensions should be memorable, but it's totally escaped me now! Not sure about the price because most watch shops in Barca don't have the price on display. That said I saw them in a very upmarket shop so I'm guessing the price won't be in the $500 region somehow.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I was just in Barcelona a few weeks ago. I dont think I saw a single watch shop the entire time Although I was only there for two days...

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-RJ

I've always fancied going to Barcelona. Now I want to go even more. Thanks for the heads up Mr Driver.

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Could it have been the Bulgari Daniel Roth Endurer Chronosprint? That's 56mm and similar to the Nautilus.

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For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
http://f4buz.com/watches/breitling/fakes/fakes.html

That's it Sharkmouth! Nice one!

Yes, they had that and the All Blacks Maori LE version in one of the shops. Pictures don't really do them any justice, but they're great looking watches in person. The All Blacks version is a bit "Marmite" - love it or hate it - but that standard one (while looking a little too Patek for some) is a great looking watch IMO. I think it's an in-house movement too. I like it a lot.

Nice going again Sharky!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I stayed in Barcelona for 6 nights in a hotel right in the middle La Rambla, in fact if I remember correctly that was the name of the hotel too!

Anyway, what a place, so much to see and do. We sorted a bit of an itinerary before we went which normally I don't do but it was well worth it. We were on the go each day from 9am - 5pm and loved every minute of it. If I were to go back which I probably will do I would quite happily go back and see the same things again, amazing experience.

As for watch shops I can't remember seeing any but then again I didn't have the watch bug 8 years ago!

Cheers

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

Very striking watch!! I wanna go to Barcelona too...

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a few Pams...

Barcelona is a very cool place indeed, we definitely got up to some mischief there - Reggae concert, bar and club hopping, good times. If I'm honest though I preferred Madrid as a city, it had more going for it I think with the art and museum aspect. Also less touristy and more laid back.

Great that you had some fun watch shopping D8. Nice work Sharky and nice watch!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
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