The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Those who know me understand that I like to have fun with analogies. Today's offering has to do with stopping by the local AD after a mediation ended early.

Before the AD, my analogy.

Back in 1968, there was a wildly popular television show named Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. It was a barrage of short comedy bits and skits, full of irreverence and presented in a style which could only be described as anarchy. One of the skits was "Sock it to me time" As you might imagine, a bit of physical comedy, oversized boxing glove, bucket of water, pie in the face, ensued. The show was attracting all the big stars in Hollywood, even establishment actors like Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne, for quick cameos. That year was an election year, and both presidential candidates were invited on. Democratic candidate Hubert Humphrey declined, while Republican candidate Richard Nixon accepted.

Nixon had the well-earned rep of an uptight, starchy guy, and he had a bad history with television. His televised debates with John Kennedy in the 1960 election didn't go well for him, and some attribute Kennedy's narrow victory to them. But here, on Laugh-In, is a 5-second bit, Nixon looking off into the distance, then to the camera zooming in and saying in a shocked voice and manner, "Sock it to ME???" People loved it, as it showed levity nobody though possible of him. Dick Martin quipped years later that people still blame him for Nixon winning.

Anyway, I was back in a dress shirt yesterday, which I avoid if possible in the summer. I put on my beloved Headwind which fit under the cuff but not without a bit of difficulty. Oh darn, I'll wear the AP. Still, it raised the issue of what I do in about a month, when its back to dress shirts daily. My old Accutron could work, but its really a niche piece. I don't want to wear the AP every day, and I need a black dial. Oh, and as previously reported, its been an expensive summer.

I rolled into the AD at about 4:15 and we start talking and looking. I try on a 42mm three-hand SOH. Not bad, still unsure about mesh but I have a cheap mesh coming in from Bill Shane as an "experiment". Nothing's as thin as my AP, so it's thicker but might work. Still on a tight budget, though.

I start looking around in cabinets where I usually don't look. Nah, no, never liked them, silly me. Then, I come upon something which surprised me. Tried it on. Really? Not bad. Almost....GOOD?












Plank dial, applied markers, some nice polished/brushed finish, and decent bracelet. Size and fit were great. I tried on the SOH again, then the Tag again. Quality difference was livable. I didn't crunch numbers hard but should come in under $2K. But a Tag? ME????

I could get a pre-owned SMP, though I've been there and done that. I was looking hard at a Longines Legend Diver, which is why I'm testing out a mesh bracelet. For what I want, gotta have a bracelet option. Don't know what to think about this, but on the wrist I liked this--quite a bit. I have never owned a Tag, never thought I would. But I'm thinking about this one. I still have a little time and a touch more financial recoupment to make a move, but thoughts? Cyber-slaps across the face to knock me back to reality? All are welcome.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

That is the only Tag I do like, Scott.

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SHARKMAN

Imho, with as much experience as you have with all the other & arguably "better" brands out there, the novelty of "slumming it" with a Tag will be short-lived.

Sorry no disrespect to all the Tag owners out there, but a friend of mine who has a nice collection of Lange decided to "slum it" with a (very) nice collection of (grail-worthy) Panerais with the rest of us, and he sold off most of them within just a few months...

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a few Pams...

I don't know Scott... coming from a former Tag owner, they are great watches. Beat mine to hell. Still ticked on until the day I sold it a few years ago.

But I'm at the crossroads myself. Don't know about you but I am diligently saving for another substantial piece but I'm constantly getting distracted. I know I should buy what I like but in your case it is kind of hard to top your AP. Maybe you've peaked?

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

if anything i would look on watchrecon and get a used one for next to nothing... as stated above, i think its mostly a gateway watch. so a ton are avail barely used

I had an Aquaracer (previous gen from current) and I loved it and hated it. I loved it as it felt comfortable, looked good, carried a low profile, and was well built. I hated it because it couldn't keep time worth a damn...multiple times it got sent back but it just never kept good time, which ultimately resulted in me getting rid of it.

It's not a bad looking watch... But not near as nice as the SOH in my opinion.

However as others have mentioned if you can pick up the TAG second hand for a bargain, then I'd think it would be a great temp watch

My father purchased the aquaracer chrono last year - his first foray into mechanical watches. I don't think they're bad looking watches at all, and it looks good on your wrist, but it is a Tag so in this case, whatever takes your fancy

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

A number of interesting comments above, and I welcome more. To address a few:

I definitely have "topped out" with my AP. I have no expectation of matching it. The present situation is largely because the AP takes such a chunk of the "watch allotment" funds, but pressed with the choice of sell and diversify with less expensive pieces or keep and scrape for value items to fill out the collection, I'm choosing the latter. Mine isn't the more common 15300 but the thinner 15202 with the original ultra-thin movement. Hardly anything is irreplaceable but in the last few years they were built the Boutiques couldn't even get them. In 2010 only 10 are believed to have been built. If it goes, I would be hard-pressed to replace it.

I'm trying to stay under $2000, which means serious value shopping. I have thought about a Speedmaster but the pickings are slim at that price level, more likely a thicker-case vintage which isn't right for my purpose. It will be a while before an SOH 42 gets down there, and there's the mesh issue. I like Colts and old Superoceans but with as few pieces as I'm keeping I don't want something which looks too close to my Headwind. In my price range is the Longines Legend, but theres a mesh issue there, too. (Picture credit to someone on the internet:



I do like this piece, but we'll see how the mesh goes and even then, it's arguably a niche piece.

I see both ends of the Tag issue. It is in my eyes a lesser watch but then, this one is the only one in the cabinet that I would wear. The others (Monaco excepted) are non-starters for me. To me this Tag looks like something more than it is. Clearly a lot of Omega AT cues though the horizontal stripes go back to the Patek Nautlius. I could probably find one used but I have heard enough about accuracy issues that I think I need a warranty. I have a guy who would regulate a used piece for me but for all my cost-consciousness, this AD has not had that much business from me but still gives me great treatment, so I'd like to preserve that. (It does matter) I might have a moment of regret if I'm sitting down amongst a bunch of Subs or Evos but I know what else I have, and I don't mind just a little toning down anyway. The beauty of the AP is that people acknowledge its beauty but the only people who "get it" are WIS.

Right now I'm still looking, listening and thinking. Again, all comments are welcome.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

Scott, go for the lesser pieces if you like them. I get a kick out of strapping on a measly $600 CW - that is ALL that matters. Am I not supposed to get the feeling because I've owned several 5 figure pieces???? I just don't ascribe to the view because you have a Royal Oak then somehow the bar of what you can enjoy has been raised forever. That logic equates cost with pleasure and has not been my experience at all and certainly not that of most collectors I know. Otherwise, sustaining watch collecting is a virtual impossibility except for the very very few with truly limitless funds. Go for it.

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SHARKMAN

I think it's really sharp , and if it had a different name on the dial I bet a lot of other members here would like it as well. Good luck.

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

Bezel is a little too 'Colt like' (or is that Tag like?) fo my liking, but I think that Tag has demonstrated recently that it is a serious contender in the entry luxury category and it's about time that they were given some credit for that. This isn't the company of a few years ago that was essentially nothing but marketing and outsourcing.

That Longines diver looks pretty nice. I would rock that instead of the Tag.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

If you like it go for it!
I personally think it looks quite neat.
Don't get influenced by brand or price as you are (or should be) wearing it for your personal satisfaction.
I get as much kicks from wearing a well made Chinese watch as a Swiss made costing 20+ times.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

this all goes down to what you like. if these are pieces that you really like and want to wear than I say GO for it. my only advice is dont buy something just for the sake of buying something. make sure that you love it regardless of the price.