navitimer platinum!

shamrock · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:48 am

hi, i'm new to the forum... sorry if this is in the wrong place... i've recently caught the breitling bug... i'm still yet to purchase my first breitling, but have hesitated so far due to crap genetics (yeah! skinny wrists!)... newly, i went to a AD and tried on a few and surprise surprise, i can actually wear them!

have a look at this watch!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=001

incredible 1 of 25 watches made in solid platinum! so tempting... :shock:

Driver8 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:22 am

That would be an impressive way to start your Breitling collection if you wanted a smaller piece like the Monty!

Personally though, I never really see the point of platinum or white gold for watch-making. Apart from the fact that both white gold and platinum are much rarer than steel (platinum is actually 30 times rarer than gold and around twice as expensive), they look very similar to steel, and yet do not wear as well due to them both being softer metals! (Platinum is harder than gold, and can be alloyed with iridium to produce an alloy that is almost comparable to steel, but the type used in jewelery and watch-making is softer).

So basically you get the look of steel, with none of the benefits, for at least double and maybe triple the price.

Hmmmmm, that's a hard sell for me.

Personally I think that if you want something a bit different (and don't mind the softness) you can't really go wrong with red or rose gold.

shamrock · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:26 am

Driver8 wrote:

That would be an impressive way to start your Breitling collection if you wanted a smaller piece like the Monty!

Personally though, I never really see the point of platinum or white gold for watch-making. Apart the fact that both white gold and platinum are much rarer than steel (platinum is actually 30 times rarer than gold and around twice as expensive), they look very similar to steel, and yet do not wear as well due to them both being softer metals! (Platinum is harder than gold, and can be alloyed with iridium to produce an alloy that is almost comparable to steel, but the type used in jewelery and watch-making is softer).

So basically you get the look of steel, with none of the benefits, for at least double and maybe triple the price.

Hmmmmm, that's a hard sell for me.

well put! i certainly see your point...

i suppose it's just nice to know that you have something unique and special... anyhow, just posted it to get the veterans' opinions/views...

i think i would go for the navitimer- or windrider-series as my first...

Roffensian · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:48 am

Driver8 wrote:

That would be an impressive way to start your Breitling collection if you wanted a smaller piece like the Monty!

Personally though, I never really see the point of platinum or white gold for watch-making. Apart from the fact that both white gold and platinum are much rarer than steel (platinum is actually 30 times rarer than gold and around twice as expensive), they look very similar to steel, and yet do not wear as well due to them both being softer metals! (Platinum is harder than gold, and can be alloyed with iridium to produce an alloy that is almost comparable to steel, but the type used in jewelery and watch-making is softer).

So basically you get the look of steel, with none of the benefits, for at least double and maybe triple the price.

Hmmmmm, that's a hard sell for me.

Personally I think that if you want something a bit different (and don't mind the softness) you can't really go wrong with red or rose gold.

Despite currently considering a watch with a platinum bezel.... I agree.

Although my watches aren't to impress anyone else, so the aesthetic side doesn't bother me, the fact that gold and platinum are less practical is definitely an issue.

I guess I can justify my platinum purchase because I have no choice on the Complications 19 and it won't be an everyday watch.

Driver8 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:55 am

Roffensian wrote:

Although my watches aren't to impress anyone else, so the aesthetic side doesn't bother me, the fact that gold and platinum are less practical is definitely an issue.

I agree in as much as I don't buy my watches to impress anyone either. I might however consider something two-tone SS/rose gold (but not the bracelet) at some point just because I like the colour of metal!

If you buy that 19 Roff, you don't have a choice of bezel anyway.

Roffensian · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:56 am

Incidentally, in watchmaking the platinum is there or there abouts in terms of hardness.

At the risk of causing some glazed eyes......

The platinum used in watches is 850 Platinum (you can see it on the caseback of the Navitimer listing) - that's 85% platinum and 15% iridium by weight (slightly less platinum by volume). That gives a hardness rating on the Vickers scale of around 160 (higher is better) compared to between about 150 - 200 for 316L stainless steel.

Breitling Bloke · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:43 am

shamrock

If you fancy a Montbrillant don't waste your money on a Platinum one you can have one that looks just as good for alot less.

http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3995

I'm selling mine and as you have small wrists maybe this is just for you!

Driver8 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:42 am

Roffensian wrote:

The platinum used in watches is 850 Platinum (you can see it on the caseback of the Navitimer listing) - that's 85% platinum and 15% iridium by weight (slightly less platinum by volume). That gives a hardness rating on the Vickers scale of around 160 (higher is better) compared to between about 150 - 200 for 316L stainless steel.

Good eyes there Roff! I didn't spot that on the back of the case. :thumbsup:

However, some countries like the States insist that in order for a metal to be stamped as "platinum" it must be 950 parts platinum per 1000, which even with iridium making up the other 50, only has a Vickers rating of around 80..... which is thus considerably softer than 850 due to the higher platinum content. Anyway, I guess this is going to bore a heck of a lot of people here! :oops:

shamrock · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:52 am

Breitling Bloke wrote:

shamrock

If you fancy a Montbrillant don't waste your money on a Platinum one you can have one that looks just as good for alot less.

http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3995

I'm selling mine and as you have small wrists maybe this is just for you!

haha, nice watch! i'm still looking around, but thanks for the offer ;D do the navitimer montbrillant come with pilot bracelets? is the legende a little bit bigger?

thanks

Breitling Bloke · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:59 am

No worries - if it doesn't sell I'll keep it and worry about paying for my new one when the time comes. Don't really want to part with it.

The Monty comes with a Navitimer bracelet and the Legende has the same but it is integrated with the case.

http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_de ... r_138.html

Yes it's a bit bigger - the Monty is 38mm and the Legende is 47mm so a fair bit larger.

Driver8 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:00 am

shamrock wrote:

Breitling Bloke wrote:

shamrock

If you fancy a Montbrillant don't waste your money on a Platinum one you can have one that looks just as good for alot less.

http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3995

I'm selling mine and as you have small wrists maybe this is just for you!

haha, nice watch! i'm still looking around, but thanks for the offer ;D do the navitimer montbrillant come with pilot bracelets? is the legende a little bit bigger?

thanks

If you choose the bracelet option then they come with the Navitimer bracelet which has 7 rows as opposed to the Pilot's 5. The Legende has an integrated bracelet (so no strap option) that is again 7 rows. And yes the Legende is bigger. A LOT bigger. In fact the Monty is the smallest gents watch in the Breitling range at 38mm while the Legend is one of the biggest at 47mm. 9mm may not sound a lot, but turst me it's a huge difference. Try before you buy is the definite order of the day!

shamrock · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:08 am

just checking the retail prices here in the uk.... looks like the montbrillant starts at 2500 roughly, while the legende starts at 3500... on average, what do you think 2nd hand watches come at? (of course depending condition etc), roughly around 20-40% off?

Driver8 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:11 am

shamrock wrote:

just checking the retail prices here in the uk.... looks like the montbrillant starts at 2500 roughly, while the legende starts at 3500... on average, what do you think 2nd hand watches come at? (of course depending condition etc), roughly around 20-40% off?

They will vary wildly depending on age, condition etc, but expect at least 40% off list for a second-hand one if you go the eBay route. Second hand dealers will hold prices higher than that though. Also you will probably have trouble finding second hand Legendes as they are still quite new out.

shamrock · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:17 am

great!

thanks for answering all these NEWBIE questions! i appreciate your patience.

only thing about the legende face is that it doesn't look as good as the mont (in my opinion)... been using the catalogue (2008) as reference... got a price list with it as well... some very nice watches there!

Driver8 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:22 am

shamrock wrote:

great!

thanks for answering all these NEWBIE questions! i appreciate your patience.

only thing about the legende face is that it doesn't look as good as the mont (in my opinion)... been using the catalogue (2008) as reference... got a price list with it as well... some very nice watches there!

No worries, just make sure you try them on before taking the plunge! I can't stress that enough!

For me when I bought my Navi World, I was initially planning on a standard Navi which is 41.5mm. I tried it and it was way too small for me. I then tried the Navi World at 46mm (so only 4.5mm bigger) and it was a huge difference. Now in your case you're looking at the smallest in the range and one of the biggest, so please don't think there won't be much in it. There will! Happy hunting! :thumbsup:

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