The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I really love the Breguet Marine Big Date but also like the Blancpain LÉMAN, “ Aqua Lung ” both in SS. Gold is optional, but for the sake of comparison which is the better piece? I'm having a bit of difficulty in determining quality, retention of value, and the likes as I haven't gotten to view them in the metal as of yet. Any advice or knowledge would be greatly appreciated on this subject.







Back in Gold (no pic of the back in SS)

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The Marine big date is gorgeous on the wrist in person, especially the black dial. The bracelet is beautiful but I had to rule it out as it doesn't even have a half link and it was either flopping all around or cutting off the circulation to my hand. If it fits you, perfect. You can also get the closed end rubber strap commonly seen on this model and they make an alligator strap for it as well.

Guess which one I'd take? Come on, guess.

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SHARKMAN

Ummm....hmmm I'm gonna take a stab at it.....Breguet? So what about the quality of one vs the other? I was looking at a black one too and yes it is stunning on a bracelet. I would prefer a croc over the rubber on a piece like this personally.

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I think both have their advantages. I tried on a Marine when I was last in New York. Just beautiful. I don't remember if I wound it, but if it's anything like my XXI, just winding the thing is a treat. Very accurate, and the finish/detail is tremendous. Regarding the Blancpain, others have written or linked to the unique process that one person assembles the entire watch. To me, that's special, and has value. I have only tried on a 45mm Fifty Fathoms, but the feel and workmanship were again fantastic. I wound the watch and it had good feel, to me not quite like the Breguet. Again, though, high-quality materials.

Resale I'll leave to more knowledgeable people, but just from casual looking, I'd guess Blancpain might have an edge. It might be model-specific, though. I think a Fifty may hold better than a Leman and a Marine better than a XX or XXI. Sheer guesswork there, though.

I probably have a little bias towards Breguet. Looking at the two you have identified, it also looks to me like the Breguet might be a little more versatile. But, as we, all say, it's up to your personal tastes.

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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

Agreed, I personally do not like the rubber strap on this watch and would only go with alligator.

BTW, over lunch I was looking at a Leman Flyback, black dial. About the same price as the Marine Big Date. Between those two, I'd definitely take the Leman Flyback.

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SHARKMAN

I'd take either one. In my less than knowledgable opinion I rank Breguet and Blancpain right up there with one another, both make some gorgeous watches, I'd love a XX and the Marine line from Breguet leaves nothing to be desired in my eyes so given the choice I'd probably go Breguet.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Wow... tough call...

but I would have to give the slight edge to the Breguet... that Marine big date is sublime... but retention value... probably the Blancpain...

for me there are a few "dream" models out of the entire Breguet line but for Blancpain I only have the itch for the Fifty Fathoms...

By the way, are you hinting at another piece?

If you get the Breguet I will hate you forever...

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

Me? Consider another piece? ...ok so you caught me, I admit it I really need to seek help. So if I fore-go the Breguet for now and get another GO will you still hate me?

What if I pick up a Blancpain FF? does that put me in the "Hate Box" too?

Actually the Breguet is kinda on my list for 2013, but also considering adding Blancpain to the collection as well, just not sure which model or models yet. The Breguet is higher on the "Desired List" along with a GO Panomatic Lunar XL, Panomatic Reserve XL. Glashutte is a line I would be proud to have strongly represented in my collection, all except for the Karee.

While I'm dreaming, I might as well throw a Corum Golden Bridge into the mix too JLC fits into my expansion plans as well with couple of their models too, but it's a bit further down the "Desired List" at the moment, that is unless a screaming meme deal crosses my path

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Hmmmmmm, choices.

I would tend towards the Marine Big Date which I find sublime and the romans only add to it. With a croc strap it will be a stunner.

However, at the pace you're going, I won't be surprised if you got both.

And I hope you're superstitious because your current total is 13.

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

Totally agree with you F14D on the Croc...that is one thing I don't like about the Breguet....their standard offering is on a Rubber strap. Now while I actually like rubber straps (eww that don't even sound right), on a watch of this caliber I just think it cheapens the look of it.

As for the superstitious jest...you are correct....13 on ground with 2 (?) inbound in January. Then again I think I may lighten my Ling load by 2 and replace those with 1 from another brand (hint: not the Breguet unfortunately ). So in the end (in the near future) I'll have a nice round number of 14, which is meager compared to Sharkman's "Wonder World Of Watches" collection.

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I would take the Breguet without hesitation. Some of the Blancpains are growing on me, but personally Breguet is on a different plain. No logical reasoning for that, they are both exceptional quality manufactures, but tough for me to be objective when a Breguet is in the mix.

Roff can you share some of your expert knowledge on both lines for me please? Why do you feel Breguet is on a different plain? Aesthetically the Breguet Marine Big date is just plain gorgeous, with the blued applied roman numerals and "Breguet" hands, the guilloche dial, the layout of the dial, but I do not really know a whole lot about either line in today's terms.

In doing some online reading I discovered some interesting tidbits I'll share for the benefit of the forum. Their historical roots extend back to the 1700's in both cases, with Blancpain being the oldest of the two. In fact Blancpain lays claim to being the oldest watch company still in existence in the world today.

Of note, Breguet is attributed with such historical innovations as the perpetual movement, perfecting the ruby cylinder escapement, gongs for repeaters, and the tourbillon.

Blancpain is noted for being the creator of one of the most complicated mechanical watches in the world as well as the world's first modern diving watch (the Fifty Fathoms). They were also instrumental in creating the first reliable modern day automatic wrist watches. Also as Scott mentioned, each watch is made by a single watchmaker.

Today, both are part of the watch conglomerate Swatch.

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I used to own a Leman (non aqua lung version). It was pretty small and dressy for the most part, and although a little bit more casual, I think the Aqua Lung should be the same. AFAIK, its an identical case, but it has a black dial and a rubber strap option. Quality was as good as you would expect. Such a simple dial, but nice detail and depth with the raised markers.

I dont know which id choose between these two though. I really dont like that bracelet on the Breguet.

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-RJ

those pics might make me reconsider my vote. I'm also not too big a fan of the Breguet's bracelet, but that wouldn't deter me too much. I think either one would be an excellent addition, good luck.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

I agree with both you guys, the bracelet doesn't do anything for me, but boy that piece would look awesome on a Croc strap without a doubt.

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