The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello! Only my second post to this great site.

I have had my eye on a Montbrillant Datora (stainless steel w/white dial) for over a year now. I'm curious as to your thoughts (both pro's and con's) to this watch. I have never owned a Breitling (or any nice watch for that matter), so I am open to hearing your thoughts. I have much to learn about Breitling, movements, etc., but am willing to learn.

Also, I would wear this watch almost daily - in case that matters.

Looking forward to your responses.

Thanks!
E

no cons aside from the money expended on buying more watches after you get addicted

Well anything from the Navitimer range runs the potential problem of not being as waterproof, but that's not really a problem unless you get very wet for work!

Others will say that the Navitimers aren't as resilient to knocks and therefore don't make a great daily wearer - it's true to some extent, but certainly not an issue in an office environment.

Specifically with the Dators - just make sure that you are happy with the clarity - there's a lot going on on that dial so make sure that you can easily read it.

That watch is on my shortlist (of 3) and will be added within the year.

Can't really coment on the daily use of this piece but I'm sure that others will help there. I guess it depends on what you get up to.

As long as you're not a lumberjack or deep sea diver it will suit for most uses I reckon. I could wear my Monty daily if I didn't use my B-1 as a sort of beater.

Lovely choice - happy hunting and

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Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

Welcome!

Nice to hear you enjoy the Datora. As said, it's not very fond of water but I'm sure you know that perfectly. I really like the complications and work of the Datora, but unfortunately I personally think it's a little bit too small. With a larger case it would not only build more appearance, but also make the dial more readable.

Glad to hear you're wearing it - that's the way they're intended!

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Really beautiful watch. The readability is a bit tough at first but improves with use.

I love mine.



Joel

It's a beautiful piece, I would strongly recommend going down to the closest AD to try on a few before you make up your mind for sure

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Thanks for all the replies.

The point regarding the clarity of the dial is an excellent one. This is my main issue with the watch too! The hands are a bit hard to differentiate from the dial. I keep looking at the Breitling website to see if it will be an issue for me.

I curious as to the size comment: I thought that at 43.00mm in diameter that this was a fairly large sized watch? Is the diameter of the Legende that much larger? My wrists aren't that big, so I think the Datora will be proportional.

Regarding the water resistance - I don't want to be washing my hands and worrying that a few drops of water will harm my timepiece. I hope that minor contact with water wouldn't be an issue? Thoughts?

E

Great choice. It's on my list right after the cosmonaute that I just checked off. I think the date pointer is a very cool feature.

No worries about washing you hands, just not a watch you would wear in the pool or shower.

Size wise, i think you will be happy, it is not small. It's just some peple here think that if isn't over 46mm then it's small.

The Legende is a lot larger - over 47mm, but the Datora is not a small watch. As Tunnel Ling says, some people will tell you that anything that isn't a Super Avenger is too small, but that's the beauty of personal choice.

Aleister's point that a larger dial would be easier to read is a fair one, but not everyone want's that extra size.

You can wash your hands with the watch on, and it's fine in the rain, but I wouldn't swim or shower in it.

Try them on at an AD, and ideally try different colours - it's one watch where the colour can not only change the look, but also affect the clarity.

I think the busy dial on the Datora makes the watch. There is no question that there is a awful lot happening on the face of this watch, but I like it. The date complication on this watch is very original as well. You will find a lot of folks on this site that push the bigger pieces, but in reality I believe that a 43mm case is still considered pretty big. It's like others have mentioned, it's personal preference. I think this watch is a stand out piece.

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- Nathan
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Breitling Avenger Skyland (Black)

Beautiful watch. I was also considering the Datora when
I ordered my Olympus. Very unique feature with the date hand. I am sure you will love it... take the plunge!

Size is a personal preference but you can get used to a bigger watch just by wearing it. For me, I think 43-45mm is perfect. When I bought my Bentley GT, I thought it was a little oversized for my wrist because I was used to wearing 38mm watches. Now it feels just right. And 38mm seems so small!

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PAM 233, 232, 505
Rolex Deep Sea
Rolex TT Datejust
Rolex SS WD Daytona
Rolex Hulk
Rolex Day Date II (YG)

Great looking watch, very very hard to read though. Bought mine and sold it whith in the week because of I couldnt read it. That said I do have less than average eyesight and it is a gorgeous watch!

For a first Breitling I personally would go with a Chrono Evo if you like the design. A great all around watch with tons of diversity.

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Certified watch nut.

Can't really disagree with anything that's been said above, especially with regards to trying in on (I really can't stress that enough!), and also trying it in different colours.

For me it looks best with the white dial on the bracelet, and that is also probably the most legible too. The bronze/Havana/what-ever-you-want-to-call-it is probably the least legible IMHO.

Size-wise, well it's a reasonable size in general watch terms, but it's not the biggest in Breitling terms. Try before you buy - you'll know if it's the one for you.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Tunnel ling, I slightly disagree with your size statement. Sure, the Datora is not small if you just consider the case. But, when considering all the things going on at the dial it really is a bit too small - it would benefit from being a bit wider/larger to increase readability.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid