The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have had my Colt Chrono Transocean on my wrist day and night for 15 years except when it goes away to be fixed.
I have washed paint and mud off it, scraped cement off it, hung a Jeep axle off the bracelet (which almost buggered my wrist) until finally the clasp broke, and abused the hell out of it but it has always kept good time and I feel naked without it.
Because of the wait every few years when I sent it off for new battery, cleaning etc I decided I would buy a second watch, an automatic so the battery would not go flat sitting in the drawer, for use during these periods.
But it has to be a Breitling; I know how well they are built because I know how badly I treat them.

First I bought a nice used SuperOcean Chrono because I am used to having the chrono function but this is a taller watch and I tended to keep banging it on things so no good for everyday wear. Also the chrono buttons need to be unscrewed every time which is too fiddly so may as well use the iphone.

Then I thought a regular SuperOcean with a Coral dial looked pretty neat and would be that much smaller. Saw one on fleabay, liked the look of it and won the auction. I don't like the Croc strap so for the time being I've swapped for the Professional 2 bracelet off the SO Chrono. This looks really good and the watch is significantly slimmer on the wrist so less prone to catching on things.


BUT

The coral watch when it turned up was so immaculate I could barely believe it had ever been used. It was described as mint by the seller and I did not fully appreciate the significance of this. Following up he told me that the watch was sold by a dealer to a customer who decided he did not like the colour so exchanged it for another and it then sat in his store for many years unsold.

So I may look like a bum dressed in my £4 supermarket jeans and T-shirts, working on old houses and flats but with a beautiful Breitling on my wrist and I just know I am going to ruin its appearance but I really do like the look and the feel of it and I need a Breitling on my wrist. But if I don't wear it there is no point in having it.

SO WHAT DO I DO?

Trash the very nice watch I've got or try and find a mechanically good but soiled appearance watch and sell this one?

I'd treat the better than expected condition of this one as a bonus and just wear it. Perverse to buy one in worse condition for not much less just so the watch has a head start in depreciation! The scratches will be part of its personal story. It looks great in that colour btw.

First thing, if the coral SO has been sitting around for years then it is in need of a service, even though it may look pristine on the outside.
So, you could do one of two things:

1. Sell it and keep the money. You already have two beaters.

2. Keep the coral SO, invest a bit more in it and get it serviced so the watch is pristine on the inside as well as the outside and don't wear it to "hang up the Jeep axle off the bracelet". You already have two beaters for that. Keep the nice one for a bit more gentle occasions like catching up with your buddies for a beer on Friday night or weekends, chasing birds or whatever it might be. I'm sure you are not working on old houses and flats seven days a week, dusk till dawn.
As I said, you already have two beaten up beaters. Why convert the third into one as well???

Your watch though.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Watches are meant to be worn. And if you were looking for a "beater" already but ended up with one that was nicer than expected than just wear it until it becomes the beater you wanted.

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Current:
Chronospace Silver, Black Ocean Racer
Navi World Silver, Aero Classic
Chronomatic 1461 Bronze, Bronze DP-1
SA White, Diamonds, Pro 2 Diamonds
SA Black, Bentley Rubber
Navi 1461 LE, Black DP-1
Chronomat GMT Silver, Pilot

To answer your initial question... Enjoy the heck out of them!

As the others have said, you bought the watches to wear them... so do it!

But the SO will be in need of a service. And for the other beaters you have, a good service and a polish will always help them look a whole lot newer

Nice story...wear them!

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Breitling Chronomat 44 Evolution C13356 Rose Gold/SS
Breitling Chronomat 44 B01 LE Black Pearl Rose Gold/SS
Breitling Chronomat 44 B01 White Pearl Rose Gold/SS
Rolex Daytona TT White Face

Do the only thing thats right.

Buy a triple watch winder and get a third. Works for me

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Avenger M1
Airwolf
Omega Planet Ocean 9300
Omega Dark SoTM
B50 Night Mission
Chronoliner
Chronomat 47mm GMT Ltd Ed
Bentley Supersports
SuperOcean OuterKnown
Chronomat 44 (Yellow Ltd Ed)