The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey guys. i'm new to the forum and about a month away from purchasing my first Breitling (a chunky Super Avenger although an Emergency Mission w/Co-Pilot is my fave but just out of reach for the moment).

I was just wondering what the image portrayed by Breitling wearers is in your respective countries. Here in the UK, most Breitlings (usually Aeromarine or Windrider series) are worn by big stocky ex-bouncer types who've made good- the kind of guys who erratically drive BMW M3's or Range Rover Sports and wear Stone Island/CP Company clothing and Armani Jeans. This popularity is most probably down to the undeniable fact that these watches provide the most 'bang for your buck' and are probably the most manly watch out. What other brand (outside possibly Omega) can provide such well crafted watches at (relatively) reasonable prices? I can't think of one.

There are certain watch enthusiasts who scoff at the brand because of its adoption by the noveau-riche, has anyone found that? I have been advised by certain people to purchase a IWC, A Lange & Sohne or Jaeger La Coultre but to be honest I don't hang around in the circles that would appreciate such subtlty (i'm only 25) plus you need to be spending a cool £10k+ to get a decent one and the grand-complications which really float my boat are just crazy money (but one day ).

Anyway, i can't wait for my SA and snooty watch-enthusiasts can shove it (for now).

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Breitling Super Avenger Blue dial
Breitling Emergency Mission Black dial
Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoflex Bi-Color
Cartier Panthere Bi-Color
Rolex Oyster day-date 18ct
Rolex GMT II S/Steel
Tag Heuer F1 Chronograph
CVSTOS Challenge Chrono steel/rubber

Welcome aboard!

You should go for what moves you. Don't settle, don't cave to peer pressure unless they are willing to help you foot the bill... they're not? Well then point made

Here are some pictures of mine

http://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3631

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Well, you almost want to make me want to sell mine now. lol

I think Breitlings are first and foremost, for people who appreciate the style. They are the only brand I know that makes big, chunky, shiny watches with a unique look to them. Breitlings are the easiest watches to spot, since there arent many other brands that look like them. They dot have that ubiquitous Rolex Sub look that every single manufacturer seems to adopt these days. breitlings are for people with their own personalities.

I do agree. I sometimes feel uncomfortable wearing my Rolex GMT because there are so many fakes (mostly very close to the real thing) or copies. What i do love about Breitling is that their pieces are so unique and well-crafted that you can easily spot its an original (bad news if you're walking in the wrong area, its not like you can easily hide an SA under you jumper sleeve or in your tight jean pockets)- Anyway, the fakes just look plain odd and tacky with everything in the wrong place.

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Breitling Super Avenger Blue dial
Breitling Emergency Mission Black dial
Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoflex Bi-Color
Cartier Panthere Bi-Color
Rolex Oyster day-date 18ct
Rolex GMT II S/Steel
Tag Heuer F1 Chronograph
CVSTOS Challenge Chrono steel/rubber

I wasnt only referring to the fakes. It seems like every brand these days, starts with a Sub, and then modifies it to their own custom look. B seems to be one of the few makers that has their own unique look. So many brands are just plain boring these days. B is exciting to me.

I've got to be honest with you, the sort of clothing i wear is pretty much spot on to the above.

However, i've wanted a Breitling for years - i appreciate the style, robustness and designs of Breitling and have bought my Superocean Chrono based on this.

They look good with jeans/t-shirt or a suit - they're so versatile and dare i say it.........beautifully designed.

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TITANIUM AVENGER SEAWOLF- [YELLOW DIAL] -TITANIUM PRO II

I don't know what kind of people wear Breitlings here - judging by the number of Canadians on here, some fairly nice people.

I don't know what image people take from mine - and I certainly don't care. My watches are worn for me, because they give me enjoyment - no other reason.

If people choose to categorise me for that rather than taking the trouble to get to know me, well I can't stop them, but I think that's their loss - hopethat doesn't sound arrogant.

Hmmmm, I'm not sure I totally agree with your bouncer-made-good image of Breitlings here in the UK actually. Maybe the SA, but the rest have a very different image to that IMO.

I've been to quite a few Breitling AD events and only once have I ever seen someone there that looked like a perma-tanned body-builder! Everyone else was very classy and restrained with the average age being mid 30's (with not a Stone Island tag in sight!), but ranging up to (I'd guess) late 60's.

Yeah I do drive an M3 (and probably erratically at times, especially if someone not in a BMW is sitting in the BMW lane..... er, that's the outside one incidentally! ), but that's as far as I go.

Personally I still think Rolex has the most "I've got money so I've got a flash watch" image.

Yeah IWC, A Lange & Sohne and Jaeger La Coultre make some nice watches and I have friends who own them (not A Lange & Sohne, incidentally), but I don't see Breilting as a poor relation in any sense of the word. Sure the old "manufacture movement" argument crops up now and then, but big deal. All that really does is push the price up!

I've been into watches for at least 15 years now, and Breitlings for 12 and if there's one thing to remember it's buy what you like and sod the rest!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I was first attracted to Breitling by the Emergency - who could miss that in a shop window?

Then when I started to look more closely I fell in love with the Aerospace. It just oozes quality and I didn't care about it being quartz or even bother to look at the other models available at that time - 4 years ago.

I didn't price a Rolex or an Omega - I just wanted my Aerospace.

So I bought one.

I'm an aircraft technician by trade - about 20 years.

I also work as an Engineering Quality Inspector/Auditor - about 10 years.

I'm 48 - married and drive a Beemer - diesel.

I wear Rockport shoes 'cos they're comfy & top quality.

Apart from that I get my jeans from M & S and a little guy called George makes my suits (ASDA/Wallmart).

I have since added another 2 Breitlings to my collection and plan another 2 by the end of the year.

Alot of people who know a bit about watches usually say "Is it real?" and the others say "Breitling - never heard of them - are they like Rolex?"

I don't wear T-shirts or short sleeves (as I have psoriasis) so nobody generally sees my watch so they're not worn to show off - I just love 'em!

So - does that tell you anything?

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Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

I picked up a girl at a club in Vegas a few weeks ago, and she was very impressed my my steelfish (which I no longer have). She had never heard of Breitling, but seemed impressed by it nevertheless. She would ask me "is that a good brand?"

I think a lot of women gravitate to big, shiny, well finished watches. For this, Breitling can't be beat. Then again, if you're a dufis, they're not going to give you the time of day anyway- regardless of your watch. But if they like you, a nice watch may just make you a hair more exciting in their eyes.

RJ, it sounds like you're enjoying the single life quite a bit between Vegas and TJ. I'm married now, but my wife prefers Breitling to my other watches. And she prefers the bigger, shinier ones (Skyracer, Datora) to the more understated titanium ones (Aerospace, Emergency).

-FLX

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ffeelliixx,
Bentley Supersports Light Body | Bentley GT | Navitimer World | Navitimer 50th Anniversary | Montbrillant Datora

This is an interesting topic. I do think a lot of people on other watch forums do view Breitling as ostentatious - all show and no go. I think non-enthusiasts just know of Breitling as an up-scale brand through their marketing barage in recent years and don't really know, or care to know, much beyond that.

My watch-maker says that Breitling is way over-priced given the ETA movements that power them. He much prefers brands with in-house movements such as the ones mentioned in your post. He tells me I'm wasting my money on my Breitlings. But I simply don't like the look of those $10K+ watch brands. I figure I'll stick to what I like and not worry too much about it beyond that.

Besides that, Breitling SQ will trump the auto movements of those "elite" brands in terms of function anyway. For me, that's enough.

-FLX

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ffeelliixx,
Bentley Supersports Light Body | Bentley GT | Navitimer World | Navitimer 50th Anniversary | Montbrillant Datora

Interesting. I'm in Northern California and you don't see too many of them around. The people I do know that wear breitling are usually no-nonsense and could care less what other people think.

Personally, I've always been into them. I like the aviation background and their sturdiness. I'm in construction and any of the brands you mentionned probably would not survive.

My dad and three of my uncles all have their pilots licenses (one of them formerly a presidential pilot, now a commercial pilot).

I've always wanted to get one as well... now that I have a proper watch, I might just have to do that.

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Here over in nyc, I see a lot of fake Breitlings on big stocky guys. Breitling is very popular on Wall St., in fact I'd wager it's the most popular watch brand in the financial district. It's popular for pretty obvious reasons. They're generally large and flashy, and it's an instant recognizable sign of significant disposable income for the younger guys you see wearing them. Although I do see plenty of Breitlings on middle-aged guys as well, I simply see more of them on 20-somethings.

Keep in mind that amongst the general public, Breitling is not really any more recognized than an IWC or a JLC. If you're hanging around young people who don't care about watches, aside from the sheer size-factor, a Breitling isn't going to get you more noticed than any of the other brands you mentioned.

Amongst enthusiasts, I would agree that Breitling is viewed as more of a middle-tier brand when stacked against something like JLC, and it is certainly popular amongst new-money. This is not necessarily a bad thing. As much as I love fine watches of any type, I feel that certain brands, being recognized by enthusiasts as generally out-of-reach for mass-market non-enthusiasts, carry a certain pretension to them when worn by a younger man. What does it say about a guy in his 20's when he's sporting more money on his wrist than most working class people make in a year? Breitlings aren't cheap, and some of them certainly step into the same price range as the more noted brands, but they won't give off that sort of condescending vibe you might have with say, a brand new PP.

As was already mentioned, I would also advise against settling for an SA if your heart is somewhere else. You are only going to be happy in the short-term if you do that.

Lastly, I know it's hard not to worry about the image your watch conveys, but don't let someone talk you into buying a watch other than the one that you have your eyes on. A watch is a personal item, and if you're worried about the image it gives off, at least allow yourself to choose that image. If you're looking at your watch and it doesn't make you happy, it isn't a luxury anymore.