The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am on the verge of buying my first Breitling, and have been eying the Chronomat for a while. Specifically, I'm looking at the Steel Chronomat with silver dial and subdials, with the steel pilot bracelet.

Currently, my daily watch is a black-face Movado with a steel band. I absolutely love it and am anticipating wearing my Breitling primarily on more formal occasions.

My question is this: When with a suit, can a silver faced Chronomat convey the same sense of elegance as a more understated model?

This is a huge investment for me, and I fully intend on wearing this watch for years to come. I love the watch but I want to ensure that it's beauty is not overshadowed by mismatched style.

Finally, it seems like the silver faced Cockpit could be the solution to my chronograph dilemma. There is much less talk about the Cockpit model as compared to the Chronomat. What do you all think about it?

Here is a picture of the Cockpit:


Here is a picture of the Chronomat I want to buy: (I want Silver NOT blue)



Thanks for your help!!

R

Its a great look in my opinion. Honestly, I am starting to like a black leather strap for formal wear more than a steal bracelet, but either work great in my opinion. Also, depending on your age, I think it becomes even more acceptable (25 to 35 is perfect). Further, timeless watches never go out of style. There are reasons that people wear Rolex for years and years. Rolex is not my style, but I perfectly understand the brand. Breitling is that (as discussed in the "Do you know what Breitling means" discussion. For some (dare I say the older crowd), they respect them for the timeless-ness, link to the past (aviation), and overall under-stated classiness. For the younger crowd (myself included), I believe the brand appeals they are masculine, look great, and are not "you dad's Rolex." Either way, you can wear one with a suit.

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Rock Chalk!

Try them both, one will speak to you.

First, let me point out that both the cockpit and chronomat pictured are older models, as both have been updated since (the chronomat years ago, and the cockpit last year)..

Secondly, keep in mind that most of us here have no problem wearing a Bentley or an Emergency with a suit either.

Thirdly, get the chronomat and enjoy it.

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-RJ

Chronomat is simply a very classy watch, esp. with a silver dial. I would get a black crocodile strap for it though.

I personally like the chronomat better, but thats just my opinion. However, take Bnewbie's advice and buy the one that speaks to you. Both would look classy with a suit.

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NavitimerNut

personally i dont think it works as a dress watch.... cause it just isn't a dress watch.. dress watches are usually without many complications.. on a band and not bulky.

although i think it still looks great with a suit!

Chronomat all the way, mainly because of its size.

BTW, shame on you using the word "trashy" in the same sentence as "Chronomat"!!!!!!!!

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Blue Baton Super Avenger
Black Avenger Seawolf

Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, but I don't 'get' questions like this. If you buy a 'nice' watch like a Breitling, it should (in my opinion) go with any situation/dress that you want it to go with. Style never goes out of fashion, and I'd say that pretty much all of the Breitlings that I've seen so far would not look out of place with either a suit or a pair of shorts. As long as you don't buy some awful footballer's watch that is the size of a small plate and has 16 different colours on it, you should feel comfortable wearing your watch with whatever you like.

I've worn my Breitling at the beach, down the pub, at work and at black-tie events and not once has it crossed my mind that I 'shouldn't' be wearing it.

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Hercules

Both are great. Especially the new cockpit. White face with a brown leather band always looks classy.

Anyway, you have to try them both before you can make a decision.

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Groetjes Mike

Breitling Windrider Blackbird

I voted Chronomat as well

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I vote Chronomat... Because I am biased... but as mentioned you gotta try both or to confuse yourself try a few others you may be surprised at what comes of that....





WD

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Polished Chronomat Evolution Graphite Dial

Classy.
I wear my TT chronomat as my dress watch. This includes black tie events. It looks the part better than many other watches you might consider more "understated". Dress has become a bit flashier in the past 10+ years IMHO, and the chronomat can go that way as well as the classic toned down dress occasions. In the end, Bnewbie is right. One will call to you. Whichever one does, do not give a second thought to strapping on your "ling, your tuxedo, and heading to the charity auction. You, and it, will look perfect!

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

I'm kind of with Sav on this one. In my opinion almost any Breitling can be worn in a formal situation. (I say "almost any", as I'm discounting anything with a yellow or coral dial here as I think they are probably a little too sporty for black tie affairs. Oh and I'm also discounting anything that's coated in "bling-bling-rapper / overpaid-Premiership-footballer" diamonds as in my opinion they cease to be Breitlings at that point and become "crap"!).

Any Breitling with a black, blue, bronze, silver or white dial and on either a bracelet, or black or brown leather/croco would be absolutely fine for a black tie event IMHO.

Traditionally a dress watch was more like an IWC Portofino - thin and lacking in any complication except perhaps a date, but things are more relaxed these days. A yellow dial, titanium Seawolf on a diver's rubber strap may look too sporty at a black tie dinner, but a Chronomat (which I voted for here) would look great wherever you are.

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Driver8

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