The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey everyone,

My side job of repairing watches and selling them has been doing amazingly well and I think it is reasonable to say that I will be ready to purchase my first watch by next Christmas - or just within this year. I have looked at numerous watches and have come up with a list (Breguet Marine Big Date, Blancpain Aqualung, and the Glashutte Senator Navigator Chrono) but I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions because I'm sure I have missed a few great pieces!

Basically, the watches need to fit these requirements:

-Under $10k retail (preferably around $8k)
-Exhibition case back
-Preferably sporty, but classic watches may work
-In-house would be great but not essential at this price range

That's basically it. I love GO's navigator chrono because it's an in-house movement that fits the case well (big movement size), chronograph (sportier look which fits my age), and it has an exhibition case back (one of my favorite thing about watches is the movement and its essential that I can see the inner-workings).

I enjoy most of the JLC pieces but it really bothers me that they rarely use exhibition case backs except with their more complicated pieces.

Thanks for the suggestions! The time is coming soon to finally begin my collection and I want to start it off with a bang (but not Hublot's big bangs haha)

Regards,
crasian1030

If you remove the display back from your requirement list, the Rolex Sub-C would make for an awesome watch that can be dressy and sporty. It is also a "wear anywhere" watch (water resistance).

Another possible option that covers all the bases is a Panerai 312 or 320. Of course the 1950 case requires a decent sized wrist or it looks rather cartoony IMO.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

JLC MUT Moon, the new version is beautiful and within your range! Display back, Inhouse, in your price, and similar in style to the ones you listed. It isn't sporty but you said classic may work also and that's a classic style for sure.

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

Zenith might be a manufacture to look at? It doesn't get any more legendary than the primero in movement land and they mostly acknowledge that with display case backs... sporty and classy.

Aside from that there's the JLC master chrono in your price range. AFAIK it has a sapphire back as well. Personally I never quite liked it but your tastes might be different. Objectively speaking it is a very aesthetic piece.

Then the Admiral Cup range from Corum might have some models in your range as well...

And finally there is of course the Navi. An iconic chrono for many here I guess...

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

If only they had a black dial... I forgot about that in my "list of requirements." I'd actually only really consider non-white dials atm since they seem more suitable for me. That was a great suggestion otherwise though!

Funny, I am the opposite, I dislike non-white dials (except yellow for some weird reason, and blue - I guess I really just dislike black).

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End of Discussion.

I would tend to agree with you.

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

like broncosport said the subc is a great fit. minus the exihibition back. IMO its something that will stay classic forever. and i know you seem to have an more mature taste.

I would add GMT II-C to the list

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"In the end there can be but one"

very true! good call

The sub is cool, but everyone and their mother seems to have one, that's one of my gripes at least. Keep us posted on what you choose.

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sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic

Yeah I'm gonna stay away from Rolex because I don't like that they are generally "status symbols." Obviously Rolex has great quality pieces but not at this age. I want a watch that is great quality and one that only people who know about and enjoy watches would recognize. The Rolex daytona is nice though - but wayyy out of my price range.

you should be able to pickup a used on for under 10k. and daytona is seriously iconic. plus it will hold its value and thats not such a bad thing in this crazy hobby

How about a seamaster aqua terra chrono? Comes in light colored dial if you ask nicely

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

Here is another GO you might like, has chrono feature, nice lume, exhibition back, in-house movement, non white dial, and well within your price range.




I don't think you can go wrong with GO, JLC, Breguet, or Zenith....all fabulous pieces IMO

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