The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This might be an academic question depending on how some of my client meetings go over the next couple of weeks, but.........

I have a dilemma that I want your thoughts on.

I have made no secret of wanting the Zenith Chronomaster XXT Open Grande Date, and my AD has been trying to get hold of one for me to look at. Well they now have two - the steel and the gold, both with the silver dial.

Pictures of them are here (caution - bandwidth burners as these are hi res.

Steel - http://www.zenith-watches.com/img/4_new ... g_73_7.jpg

Gold - http://www.zenith-watches.com/img/4_new ... _73_11.jpg

Here's my dilemma. I really like the gold, but for only $2,000 - $3,000 more than the gold I can get the steel and a Breitling LE that I don't want to say too much about at this point.

If I buy the gold I think I'm going to regret not buying the Breitling LE, if I buy the steel and the LE I think I'm going to regret not getting the gold - and practically the gold and the LE isn't an option.

So what would you do?????

Steel+Breitling LE.

Trying to look at this unemotionally...

My understanding is that global gold prices are set to climb over the next few years so if you want gold, now is the time to buy.

If an LE is available now, it probably won't be in the future (new that is).

Do you have to buy new? Maybe your discount makes it worthwhile?

Not much help and I guess my conclusion is your purchase is not an academic exercise but an emotional one so go with what your heart tells you!

(and whatever you do, we'll all say you did the right thing )

The LE is not new

I'm going to have to say the steel Zenith and the Breitling LE (I'm assuming the Breitling LE is the one I mentioned to you?)

I have a number of reasons for suggesting this course of action -

Firstly, two watches are always better than one!

Secondly, Sharky is right in as much as LE's are always a good thing and can be very hard to find. Grab 'em when you can!

Thirdly, as we've said a number of times on here, gold is not the most practical metal and will show scratches far more readily than steel, so it's not one to be wearing often. SOoooo, for me and money permiting, I intend to get just one solid gold watch at some point (hopefully a Mulliner Perpetual), so I will only consider gold for a "grail" watch. If this one is your grail watch, then go for it...... but I have a feeling it's probably not.

Lastly, in the case of the Zenith, I genuinely think it looks better in steel.

But as we always say, only you can decide!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I usually don't care for the gold versions of jewlery or watches but in this case the Gold is the best choice. IMHO...

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Rolex 42mm Explorer
IWC Ingenieur

A few others too.

Correct - it's still way too much money, but I guess you have to pay to play.

Can't say I'm surprised by the way that this is going, although the reasoning is giving me some thought.

Keep 'em coming guys!! (like I have to ask)

True, but with the current state of the economy I wouldn't be surprised if a cheeky offer might be accepted.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Steel all the way, IMHO, with or without the LE.

Go get 'em, Roff!

Nick

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Avenger Seawolf
Chrono Avenger
Aerospace
SOHC LE

definately gold. theres something quite special about a solid gold watch not just in its looks but its weight and texture. I wish i went all gold for my cartier tank but luckily compensated when it came to the rolex.

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Breitling Super Avenger Blue dial
Breitling Emergency Mission Black dial
Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoflex Bi-Color
Cartier Panthere Bi-Color
Rolex Oyster day-date 18ct
Rolex GMT II S/Steel
Tag Heuer F1 Chronograph
CVSTOS Challenge Chrono steel/rubber

Go for the steel and the Breitling LE.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

I have to go with the Gold Zenith. That Zenith there in gold would be like a grail watch to me! Seeing as I dont have a job right now I'm stuck with buying watches like Marathons and Hamiltons until I start working again in the new year

There is definately something about a solid gold watch. Having handled my uncles Patek Philippe yesterday, a solid Rose Gold watch is definately on the radar for next year. I really really really want a solid gold watch. And not just any one, but one that I love. For me it is a goal. Quality, not quantity. Not that the Ling ain't quality, but .. solid gold, baby

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

Actually more supporters of gold than I expected.

I find out the prices next week so that will help with the decision, but I have managed to get around $550 off of the cost of the Breitling LE which obviously makes that more appealing.

The dial on the gold Zenith really seems to pop with the gold trim, and the chrono minute subdial really seems to pop with the silver spokes vs. black, but when I see what I can get a vintage gold piece for, the premium for gold does seem excessive (although I realise that's a slightly artificial comparison).

I definitely understand the logic of having a gold 'grail watch', but I'm not sure that this is it. It's an amaxing watch, and definitely on my 'must have' list in some metal, but I hope I still have several decades of watch collecting ahead of me to attain a 'grail' watch, and I would probably aim higher than this (I hope that doesn't sound too arrogant).

Still haven't decided - well I have - gold and the LE, but that's not going to happen financially - it would cost me half my assets in divorce court

I have to say in that Zenith, I prefer the gold. I think it gives it a very distinct look. Without the gold, the silver is still sharp, but gold is the way to go for that watch, IMHO of course!

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Aerospace SE
Avenger Seawolf Blacksteel

Another vote for steel here. I like it much more than the gold. The LE is an extra bonus.