The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Okay I am ready to purchase my first high end watch. Like both brands.Which one would you get and why.
My draw backs are Breitling : Have read complaints about authorized service center in US and don't like only a 1 year warranty after service and heard complaints about the illumination.
Omega :not a fan of the 41.5mm (seems small to me, I have always like the 44mm) and the bezel is painted not ceramic.


Thanks for all your input

Don't neglect considering the larger and much respected Planet Ocean Chrono - kicks butt over both the others IMO.

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SHARKMAN

Love the PO Chrono but that one is wont fit in my budget. If I dont get one with chrono I will get the PO xl

Do you plan to dive with them? You may also want to look at the Avenger as it isn't much more than the SO Chrono2, and it doesn't have the rubber bezel that the current SO has. As far as warranty, you will hear bad stories about virtually every maker, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. If you have a good AD, then the AD is the one that deals with them and you deal with the AD.

Probably haven't dove in years . Looked at the avenger but don't like the rider tabs. Know the lumen on Omega is bright have seen it glow. I'm lucky and have a Breitling AD & Omega boutique close by so will only deal with one of them

I'm wasn't a fan of the rider tabs either, but they have saved my crystal on a few occasions and so I started loving them.

The Seamaster Chrono Diver is an awesome watch (as is the SO C). Another nice thing with the SO is the dual AR (Anti Reflective) coating on the lens...it's actually the thing I notice most on my Breitling and I enjoy it every day (Omega has this too on the PO and I believe others as well). I agree 44mm is a nice size as it looks full on most wrists, but not gaudy, and it's still manageable to avoid banging into things (well, usually). If you like the PO Chrono more, it may be worth saving for that...every time I see that watch I get all tingly inside and it still wears on me nicely despite being a 45-er. But I don't think you can lose and whatever you choose, you'll have a watch that will last you for decades.

Neither of them have weekday indicator, if that may play a role for you. Do not forget the Breitling Superocean Chronograph I. which is 42 mm but with cca. 17 mm height has a certain presence. You may find a new old stock for a good price and this one has the day-date feature. And does not have the completely superfluous manual Helium valve of the Omega.
Best,
Robert

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Chronomat 41 BEB, Steelfish Chrono BEB, 2x Grand Premier, Chrono Cockpit 39 mm, Aerospace Avantage 79362
IWC 3706, 3705, 376706, 371928
Sinn 103 plexy
For sale: Sinn 356 II, Porsche Design Titan Chrono Valjoux
Wanted: Breitling Blackbird 13353 on bracelet

Even though I'm a huge Breitling fan I would have to go with the Omega Seamaster Chronodiver on this one because you can use the chrono functions underwater and the divers extension clasp is excellent. I've owned various versions and even prefer it to the PO Chrono I used to own, my current one is one of the rare discontinued White dial versions;


Omega Stock Picture;

I LOVE the ghost hands on these and the wave dial they are doing now. Guess my biggest thing is does it look big enough on my wrist. Cause I do have large hands and just wanting that bold look on my wrist with out being gaudy

Shalako that is a sweet looking watch

Thanks, it may only be 41.5mm but it's a thick, heavy and chunky watch which actually looks bigger than the size suggests which will soon become aparent if you try one on. In fact on the wrist compared with the Breitling I don't think you will notice much difference....

Thanks... Ive tried it on several times and like it think it could be me knowing that it is 41.5mm and now that the bezel is painted could be why I feel it could be small or just looking over at the PO in 44.5mm doesn't help

I love the Seamaster, but I would prefer the Superocean. It looks rougher and is slightly bigger. But I really think you can't go wrong with both of them.

If I might chime in as both a Breitling- and IWC owner, why not Aquatimer Chrono? Price difference between them cca. 20% (less when not on steel bracelet), and the IWC is the only from these 3 watches having the weekday feature of the Valjoux 7750, not counting the super strap change system, the sapphire bezel and the underwater usable chronograph. I have the moderately more expensive Cousteau ref. 376706 with its beautiful slate-grey dial, but the blue "street version" looks also very nice.
I'm not saying that any of the two are not good enough, since you cannot go wrong with either, just making the angle a bit wider. Of course plenty other 7750-based divers are on the market... just mentioned the one on my wrist right now - on steel bracelet.
Best,
Robert

_________________
Chronomat 41 BEB, Steelfish Chrono BEB, 2x Grand Premier, Chrono Cockpit 39 mm, Aerospace Avantage 79362
IWC 3706, 3705, 376706, 371928
Sinn 103 plexy
For sale: Sinn 356 II, Porsche Design Titan Chrono Valjoux
Wanted: Breitling Blackbird 13353 on bracelet

Thanks for all your info and input So after 5 months of research , searching ,and trying on. So two weeks back I went with something totally different !!! Went with the Seamaster PO XL with the in house movement & ceramic bezel and love it !! the bracelet has more than grown on me.

Congrats! Wear this beauty in good health!
What's your wrist size? By XL you mean the 45.5 mm size?
Best, Robert

_________________
Chronomat 41 BEB, Steelfish Chrono BEB, 2x Grand Premier, Chrono Cockpit 39 mm, Aerospace Avantage 79362
IWC 3706, 3705, 376706, 371928
Sinn 103 plexy
For sale: Sinn 356 II, Porsche Design Titan Chrono Valjoux
Wanted: Breitling Blackbird 13353 on bracelet