The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I've sent the 5 models to my relative who will check the prices at Hong Kong.
I love machines, engineering and technicality, but at the same time, I am a quiet and refined person. Breitling was they way to go. However, these particular models are all beautiful yet still have issues with them so I CANNOT DECIDE!
Breitling Constraints: Brand-New Only, No rosegolds (Budget Constraints), LE Editions Only. I've also added a couple of alternatives if non of the breitlings fit the bill. Excuse the expressive language. This is merely to prevent reader boredom. I respect all these watches.


1. Navitimer 01 LE SS with NaviBracelet
Pro: It's 30% Masculine, 30% Technical, 20% Refined, and 20% Classy = All of everything IMO. Which is why this tops my list.
Cons: Water Resistance. I live in a tropical country SE Asia, and it is humid, and rain comes in ambushes. If this watch cannot survive a shower, what more a sudden heavy rain? Furthermore, Everyday watch + Humidity makes everything get dirty quickly. Father usually submerges his watch in a curved plate with a bubbly dishwashing liquid/water solution for 5 min to loosen any grease and dirt stuck on the crevices, then brush it out of water. Just deep enough to submerge the watch completely (about an inch at most deep). I dont think the Navitimer's 3atm sill survive that either. Or any thoughts?



2. Chronomat 01 LE SS with Pilot Bracelet
Pro: It's got the WaterResist I want, It can survive wherever I take it. 60% Masculine, 40% Technical. Looks like it's the most survivable for everyday wear among Breitlings.
Cons: Surprisingly, It doesnt look classy at all. It looks like.. "A pimped up yachtmaster". Green dot on top of Bezel? Seriously? Face with all sorts of shapes. For a flagship watch for a Brand that represents Classic-Professionalism, You'd imagine a Breitling being a man with Aviator Shades and a 60's leather jacket flying a hi-tech plane. But the Chronomat looks like a really badass Technomarine. Plus, this is only watch among the other 2 that looks bad in a formal or Chic occasion unless you go white face / gold / non LE / ultra expensive. Unless you play the role of "superevil villain / assassin in a suit" during parties. Then, the black black face with unpolished finish and red subdials really strike out.


3. Transocean 01 LE SS, Black Face White Subdial, Calf Leather
Pro: Its 30% Masculine, 60% Classic, 10% Technical. This watch may well be the keeper of keepers. 100WR is pretty decent. When you go out on a high-end vacation and have to swim, I certainly would wear my watch and not keep it in the country club's safe even if it's a high-end resort.
Cons: Mesh strap with no alternative? Seriously? I've researched that the Chronomat 44's 5-link Pilot Bracelet 372A, or 377A(Unpolished) Should in theory, fit the TO. Has anyone any pictures to help me with?

Other Probable choices:

4. Rolex Daytona SS 116250 Black Face:
Pro: I would end up with the WR i need, A watch thats all formal, masculine, tough, technical, classy.
Cons: It will cost about $1,500 more. But if it means less to worry about and longer life, why not?



5. VC Overseas Chronograph SS Black Face: (Longshot, just trying my luck if we encounter a cheap one there)
Pro: Its a VC. It feels like wearing an entire Roman Legion on your wrist. Great Design.
Cons: Some say that it isn't so great because of the leisurely movement compared to the hi tech 4130 and b01.
So it might feel like driving a gleaming restored 57 Chevy Hot Rod but when you pop open the hood, it's a gold coated diamond plated, Inline 4 Toyota Motor. We want performance in our movements too. And it's the most expensive watch on the list i've presented. I dont think I can swallow paying that much for a nice looking brand and case. Unless of course the people were wrong about the VC Overseas' Chrono movement.

*sidenote; There has been talk about Caliber B01 Having baby step issues such as improper chrono functions (jumping / creeping hands) What heresy is this?

- Please provide as much input as you can regarding the 3 choices. I really need help from you watch Gods"

ok if it were me i would go with Daytona. Its everything that you would want in a watch and its holds its value better than most bonds.

i will let some of the other more knowledgeable members break down whats better in terms of movement and that kind of stuff. my opinion is really based on 2 things:

1) the resale value of this watch in the used market
2) the collector value.

The Daytona scores 9.5 out of 10 in these 2 areas IMHO.

the VC would top my list, then the navi 01 - dont like and never have the daytona whenever i see them in shops they just look cheap and it has no date on it.

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Brietling SO SF - Blue Dial

I'm not that knowledgable about watches, but from an aesthetic view point I'd have trouble choosing between these five too. My approach is rather mercenary, as in I tend to pre-suppose owning several eventually. Whether I manage this or not, it helps mitigate the doubt when pulling the trigger on any particular one.
I've fallen for the Transocean Chrono on mesh, and will pick on up closer to christmas, but I've also considered three of your other choices too.
The Daytona is the only Rolex I'd buy, and not because its a Rolex. Despite its almost mythical aura, its rather light to heft, and has in my opinion a rather disappointing bracelet...however, its one of the most attractive watches out there and for me its that aspect that draws me most.
I cant help with re-sale advice or movement lineage as these aspects don't really interest me as much as the pure desire of ownership...which ultimately makes these threads so hard to advise on. Considering the inherent quality of all your the above examples, if you, like me, make your choice as a match for your aesthetic taste and personality, you cant go wrong...add caveats such as residual value and things get very foggy.
Good luck with your mission, and post pictures when you complete it.

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"Per Ardua Ad Lingi"

thank you, that is true for me as well. Resale value is no longer an issue I face and it is now purely aesthetic, utility, and value. the Daytona and the yachtmaster are the only two rolexes i'd buy and that is on pure aesthetic. Transocean Chrono is really a sheer work of art. Like owning a vintage car with all the modern engine components. My only problem is the compatability of Pilot bracelets with this because i am really not a mesh person. I am 21 years old.

100%

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BREITLING EMERGENCY + UTC CORAL DIALS
BREITLING AEROSPACE TITANIUM PROF (SOLD)
ROLEX SUBMARINER BI-COLOR BLUE DIAL
LOUIS VUITTON TAMBOUR DIVERS
PANERAI LUMINOR

I'm going to vote for the chronomat 01 if the WR is going to be a major factor. If it wasn't then the Navi 01 would take it and if you weren't constrained to the LE you'd have a lot more options as far as dials go for the Chronomat, I don't like the red accents on the LE. I'd go with a black dial chronomat B01 with the polished/brushed case.

I personally find that the chronomat, I have a Blackbird which is close, looks soo much better on straps. A croco strap dresses it up nicely, a calf(brown or black) gives it a very casual look and the rubber is a great sporty alternative.

The Navi 01 is on my list of watches to buy, it's the "signature Breitling", in my opinion, just updated with their in-house movement. And just like the Chronomat I'd go with a strap instead of the bracelet, the polished bracelets are just way to shiny for me.

The transocean is gorgeous in pictures but when I got to see one in person I was completely underwhelmed so there's not much I can say about that.

As far as the Daytona, gorgeous watch but no date. That would drive me nuts.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

So many differing opinions already in so few posts. Aesthetics (sorry for using the A-word so often) play a big part in my line of business and I'm fascinated by the different ways each of us perceive the same object. But so it is with design vs individual taste...colour / font / material / add-on components / et al can each make the difference between biting your knuckles with desire or gasping in dislike when assessing the same object from a purely visual aspect.

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"Per Ardua Ad Lingi"

Oh dear, my lust for mesh must be down to me being more than twice your age. I may ask my AD to throw in a pipe and slippers when I do the TO deal.

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"Per Ardua Ad Lingi"

Why are you stuck on Breitling LE models? If you remove this criteria, I think the Chronomat 01 (non-LE) is your best option, as it comes in much better dial colors . . . especially if you need an everyday type watch. It's classier than you give it credit for, as I wear mine with a suit all the time. Until you see one in the metal, I would reserve your judgement. Also, the "green dot on top of the bezel" is supposed to be there. It's a diving watch; all divers have this. Seriously.

If you can deal with the inept water resistance, I'd say go with the Navi 01. This is the quintessential Breitling- period.

I'd don't personally care for Rolex at all, so I won't go there.

Regarding the issues with the B01 movement, I think I've had the most of anyone. My Chronomat 01 has been back to Breitling 4 times. The final time they replaced the entire movement, but now the minute subdial hand will sometimes jump ahead when the chronograph is started. It needs to go back again, but I'm tempted to just give up and live with it. My Navi 01 may have an issue developing. When the chrono is started, the sweeping hand appears to jump backwards for a split second before moving forwards. It definitely acts differently from my Chronomat 01, but I haven't decided it's worth sending back yet, as Breitling clearly can't properly fix anything.

Obviously, I'm done buying Breitling for a while, but I don't tell you all this to turn you off. My situation seems to be the exception, but it's worth knowing that something is clearly going on with Breitling's quality control.

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

First, I would not buy a chronograph without date. If I buy a watch with a good movement, I prefere a saphire crystal back (although my last 3 watches did not have one ). The OC was always one of my favoruite watches, but when I saw it the last time, I thought, its too small for me (maybe I am too fat...).
Choosing between the 3 Breitlings, I would go for the Navitimer. Its just a classic.

BG
Thomas

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http://www.ellert.at

to be honest, this is really scaring me. It's no problem if the issue was bad adjustment and that the watch came with problems. But when you say the watch STARTS developing problems after it functions well for a while, now that really scares me for getting the new b01.

I don't think the movement actually develops the problem, I think it's always there. However, the issue doesn't manifest itself every time you start the chrono. Well, the Navi 01 does show the "problem" every time, but I'm not yet convinced it's a legitimate problem yet. With the Chronomat 01, the minute counter will jump every 30th time I start the chrono . . . at best. I've tried to figure out why it jumps sometimes and not others, but it seems to be totally random.

Thus, I'm not convinced I need to send it back because I'm not sure Breitling will be able to replicate the issue. I'm sure they'll tinker with it for a few minutes and if the issue doesn't show up, they'll send it back. I do think my case is the exception, as if every movement was jacked up like mine, there would be far more public outcry. I think you're safe, but I'd definitely test the hell out of the chrono in the store before you take one home.

You need to remember that this is Breitling's first in-house movement and there are bound to be issues. It's the same reason many people won't buy the first model year of a new car. Breitling has instituted a revolutionary manufacturing line for these movements and I'm sure they're still fine tuning all the settings. My Chronomat was purchased a month after the watch was released to the US, so it was one of the first off the production line.

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

I'm going to avoid "giving advice" as so much is down to personal preference and (as has been said) aesthetics.

However, if it was my money, I'd be going for the Transocean Chrono first, very closely followed by the Navi 01, basically because I think they are both timeless, classic and beautiful, and have a cutting edge movement inside.

The Chronomat LE is just a fraction behind those two as it's not quite got the classic, timeless look of the other two..... mainly due to "that" bezel. The bezel is likely to give it what I call "transient appeal". But it's probably a little more practical than the other two in terms of WR and ruggedness, etc.

The VC is a way down IMO as that's not my favorite model by some margin. The design of this one is another one with potentially transient appeal.

The Daytona is in last place for me, as I think it is one of the most over-rated (and over-priced) watches around. I know more than one person who has lusted after one for years before finally buying one......., only to end up selling it literally a few months later. The words, "Looking back I really don't know what all the fuss was about", seem to be used a lot by people in that situation. Yes it's a classic (well, the model itself is - some of their newer versions don't look particularly classic to me), but that doesn't necessarily make for a great watch. Hype over substance IMO.

So, to recap, if you want something to keep for years and years, and resale isn't important, then go classic and timeless - i.e. the Navi or TOC, as the designs of those two looked good 50 years ago, and they'll STILL look good in 50 years time.

(OK, so I have ended up giving advice after all! Just my personal opinions of course!)

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Driver8

Site Moderator

daytona is gonna cost you a lot more than 1500 more, i say the transocean, then navi 01