The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Been looking at a Steelfish and I'm quite impressed with it. Previously I thought it might not be big enough and the brushed finish might not be what I was after, but maybe I was wrong.

Can any of you guys who own a fish as well as something bigger and shinier (SA, Bentley etc) comment on what the fish is like to own after a few weeks? Does it feel small compared to your other watches? Do you find yourself looking at it and thinking it would look better polished?

By the way, I don't have any other Lings yet (I know, I know...), but I have two other large autos and I don't want to wind up thinking it's too small.

I also welcome comments from anyone willing to tell me that yes it is a good idea for me to buy another watch! This is probably one of the few places I'm likely to find people to tell me that.

cheers

Well, I guess we are/were in the same boat. My first B was a Colt Auto II. I hadnt seen one in person, and thought that it was brushed like most watches id seen. When I found out it was polished, I was kind of bummed--but went ahead and went down to my AD and bought it anyways. After I bought it, I realized how great the polished look was. After about a day or two, I realized that it was too small. I figured I would get over it, but it just kept getting smaller and smaller, and I couldnt shake the thought. So, I got rid of it for a bigger Steelfish, which I didnt know was brushed (at the time). Picked it up from my AD and I was psyched, but instead of size envy, I know had polish envy. Again, I figured id get over it because I really liked everything else about the watch. I even contemplated having it polished (like a fellow forum member did). I held onto it for about 3 months before finally deciding to replace it with a Skyland. I have to say, im finally happy. I love the size (slightly bigger than the steelfish, but much thicker), and ive finally satisfied my appetite for a polished finish.

Moral (or something like that): I was shopping with my $$ instead of with my heart. Instead of looking at all the models and deciding which I liked best, I was looking for the models that cost the least. If they fit your bill, perfect. If not, you shouldnt settle for something other than what you really want because it costs less. Go to the store, find out which one you like, and make it work. if you have to put off buying it for a while, so be it. Settling will only lead to regret, and you will always wish you had the other one.Of course, a lot of this is subjective, so only you know what you really want. Some people here love the brushed finishes. I like them too, but given the choice, id take polished. Id love to have my steelfish back, in addition to my skyland though.

btw, im not going to go back and read anything ive written [lazy], so I hope it makes sense.

Thanks RJ, that makes a lot of sense. Much appreciated.

I'm still not sure that one of the bigger and shinier ones is what I really want. It used to be the case that the biggest thing I could find was what appealed to me, but recently I've been surprised how many (slightly) smaller models have been speaking to me - Omega SMP and IWC Portuguese, to name a couple of non-Ling examples. Guess I've got some thinking to do.

My Steelfish is definitely the "odd one out" in my collection as it's is 44mm and brushed while everything else is 46mm+ and polished, but I actually quite like the contrast now. I also use my Steelfish as my knock-around watch so it's good to have something that I don't have to be paranoid about scratching the mirror finish on!

I was actually in a similar position to RJRJRJ in as much as I owned a Steelfish a while back (in fact I've two prior to my current one) that I sold as a result of buying bigger watches, but then I missed owning one so much that I went and bought another! (Crazy, I know!) But now I have one again, I am reconciled with the size difference and I really love my 'Fish.

The biggest and most noticeable difference to me is the area of the crystal : compared to the Bentley's, the SA, and the World it's a pretty small surface area. But as I say, you get used to it, and I also like the way it is still chunky but slim enough to slip comfortably under a shirt sleeve.

But as we all know, these things are completely personal decisions, so you have to be happy with it in your own mind. But if you want my opinion, then the 'Fish is a great watch to own.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks Driver. Seems just about everyone who once had one eventually wanted it back!

By the way, good call on the area of the crystal - that was the main thing I noticed trying it on today compared to my XL size Planet Ocean. Certainly doesn't feel like a smaller watch apart from that.

Yeah it is quite small across the dial, but I guess it's due to keeping the crystal surface area small to retain the huge water resistance rating. I would assume that a small crystal area is less prone to cracking under pressure. (Just guessing here as I'm not an expert in that area).

But as I say, firstly you do get used to it, and secondly it's only really noticeable when you sit it alongside the others : wear it in isolation and you really won't notice it after a while.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

You'll never be happy until you own one of each

On a serious note, the steelfish does not feel that much smaller than my other large watches. The weight and feel of the watch is plenty big IMO, in no way will it grow smaller on your wrist like a Colt might.

I love the brushed finish, my steelfish is my everyday watch and I find that I wear it more than any of my other breitlings.

Some people feel the high polish on some of the other models are a little 'too much' for everyday wear.

Soooo I keep one of each. The fish goes perfectly with jeans and a t-shirt, when I'm dressed up a little more I opt for a high polished, bigger, in your face ling.

Get both! Group buy rates are great.

I guarantee if you decide on the fish you won't be dissapointed.

Otto,

I currently own two Breitlings: a Steelfish and a Skyland. I'm
looking at them both as I type, and I can honestly say the Fish
is no shrinking violet. A tiny bit smaller than the Skyland, yes;
a wee bit thinner, yes. But it is still an imposing piece. Mine has
a white dial, which does make it look a tad more conservative;
but whenever I wear it swimming or even socially, I get
compliments -- and no one has yet said, "My, what a tiny timepiece."
Even on my hamlike wrist, it makes its presense known.

I can't see myself ever selling it (I'm surprised so many guys have -- go
figure!) and I highly recommend getting one. You'll love it.

Steve

Being the owner of two Steelfish, I love them. In fact I am thinking about getting a blue faced one to finish out the collection! I wear my black faced one every day and love it. The Steefish is, IMO, is the best "bang for the buck" that Breitling makes. For the price they cant be beat. And as far as the size.. it is not small at 44mm. Bigger than any Rolex and a lot better looking!

GET IT and GET IT NOW!


Scott

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

Generally speaking, the steelfish is a big watch. Most Omegas and Rollies are significantly smaller. Compared to the Bentleys and such though, its small.

If you dont like a lot of bling, the steelfish is perfect. Its more low-profile, but still has more bling than most other brands. Something about the parts that are polished and the shiny numbers make the case and dial sparkle.

Another thing I forgot to mention in my first post, is that if you want something like the steelfish, but bigger, check out the new avenger seawolf. You would be the first one around here to own one as well

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'm thinking the fish has reserved itself a place in the collection (probably at the expense of the Tag, which will have to find a new home).

In person it was much more impressive than I expected, and seems like a good first Ling. I'm not a small guy (6'1, 90kg/200lb) but I don't have a big wrist (less than 7 inches) and the size seemed right on me. Time to get down to the AD for another look, I think.

Cheers

RJ, I've just checked out the Avenger Seawolf in the models section of this site - hadn't realised it came in steel now. Don't know anything about it so that's another reason to get myself back down to the AD for a look.

Its basically a very slightly larger steelfish with the dial of a Skyland. Ive seen it at my AD and it looks great. Nice thing is it comes in some colors the steelfish doesnt, like yellow (if youre into that). I dont know the price, but since its stainless now, I cant imagine that it would cost too much more than the steelfish.