The Breitling Watch Source Forums

yep, thin ice it might be, but this is one movement that really has quite a lot to differentiate it, first (well, announced, at least) automatic chronograph movement, definitely first (by decades, afaik) high beat auto chrono, went into some quite impressive watches in its lifetime of about 45 years, very interesting "miraculous rescue" Charles Vermot story - Robin Hood outsmarts the corporate behemoth; hey !

back on topic - David, agree with Driver8 there are prettier Zeniths as this one, but it was all the choice you gave us ? Both would work well with blue striped shirts & brown shoes, btw.

I would put El Primero in hte top 10, just don't let them put a big date complication on it

Doh! Is yours the three-wheel big date at the one o'clock position? I've heard of problems with those.

Fred and Driver, I agree that there are more elegant watches but my hunt is for a plot and this is a good looking one IMO. My process was pilot first which led to this watch not El Primero first. If I have problems, it's all on you Fred.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

Not that this is a democratic decision, but the score is currently: Zenith 4 - 3 Glashütte

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

GO for me. The only thing I don't like about it is the lack of a date.

To be honest, I don't like either of them. If you forced me to have one, it would be the Zenith (just).

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For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
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GO! Although I like the new GO Senator Observer.

While out running some errands today I managed to stop by a Zenith dealer and a Glashütte dealer. Neither had exactly the watches I'm considering but both had very similar watches from the same line. So I was able to see the Zenith Pilot which has the same case as the Pilot Big Date and a similar overall look and a Glashütte Senator Navigator but not the chrono. Again, same case so I could judge the size and bezel.

I liked both watches and I don't think I'm closer to a decision. I was very impressed with the Glashütte. Great finish and feel. In the metal, I really like the case. The bezel looks much better in person. On the downside, the price of the Glashütte is 9350chf (compared to 6500chf for the Zenith), a bit more than I'd guesstimated. If I'm going to consider that then I should probably add the new IWC Spitfire (à la mfserge) to the mix. Price creep is setting in.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

Yes sir, Chronomaster XXL Open Grande Date.

GO does have an incredible finish and feel to their watches. I think they're a brand that is underpriced, they produce a beautiful product. Of your two choices i still prefer the Zenith if you want a pilot, if you want a dressier piece then GO's lineup wins hands down for me. I think you may find that the spitfire will wear a little larger than both of those pieces though.

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

Interesting. The Zenith is 42mm, the Spitfire 43mm and the GO 44mm. Based on photos, it appears that the Spitfire does have a narrower bezel than the GO and perhaps longer lugs than either of the other two so I could see that. Fortunately, the AD I usually visit (but not one I went to today) carries both Zenith and IWC so I can compare head to head. Glashütte dealer options are more limited. There's a Boutique Tourbillon nearby but they are owned by Swatch (as is Glashütte) so likely no discounting.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

I'm being tortured. I was settling on the Zenith, in part because of the price difference of 2900chf. But today I got a quote from a dealer in Germany. After paying Swiss VAT and getting the German VAT rebated, I can get the GO for 38chf more than the Zenith. That price is significantly lower than catalog in either Switzerland or the US. And it's an easy train ride to go pick it up.

I'm thinking that going for the GO may be a no-lose proposition. If I get it and decide after a while that I would rather have the Zenith, I can probably sell the GO here for not much less than I paid given that the Swiss pricing is so much higher. Am I crazy to think that way? [I realize that this may not be the best audience for that question. ] D*mn decisions!!

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

I bought the Zenith today. I changed my mind a bunch of times but in the end that's the one that spoke to me more. It's the first one sold by the Zenith boutique in Geneva (yes, I bought at the boutique and yes, I paid too much but what the hell). I really like both of the watches plus the IWC Spitfire but I could choose only one...

The Zenith isn't yet available on that great looking leather strap and I don't like the mesh bracelet so they put a brown croc strap on it for me. It's a very nice strap but it doesn't do anything for me. I've already ordered a Stone Creek strap that I think will really look incredible.

This will be my last watch purchase for a while -- I said that in March when I got the TOC but I mean it this time. Which is a shame because I tried on the Omega PO 8500 42mm and the new IWC Aqutimer vintage and love both of them. Very different watches but both exude class.

After the weekend, I'll write about looking at watches in Geneva -- it's sensory overload, watch lover's heaven.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

congrats, David ! wear it in happiness and health !

That was my vote. I think it's classically beautiful. Congrats and enjoy.