The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey all, I'm still relatively new to the breitling scene, however I am looking for my next purchase to have a diamond bezel, most likely an SA, Navitimer, or another Chronomat Evo. However, when talking to my AD he was trying to sway me away from having any custom work done for a bezel because it ruins the integrity of the watch and its seals. Is this true or is he just trying to get me to buy a more expensive watch from him. Truthfully, I'm not all that worried about resale value or warranties (for the most part) I dont buy these watches as an investment because I could obviously invest 5-10K in a way more lucrative fashion. I was looking for custom work because I have not been all that impressed with the bezels I have seen from Breitling and think my jeweler could do a much better job. Whats everyones opinions as I have seen a solid mix of both factory and custom bezels in my time here.

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Current
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust
Breitling Chronomat Evo
Panerai 112M

Retired
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46
Breitling TransOcean Chrono LE

There are several recent topics on the subject, and I have expressed my views before (OEM always).

On this specific topic:

I can't imagine how you could put a diamond bezel on a Navitimer

If your jeweller can do better than Breitling factory set bezels that's some jeweller (again recent discussions).

The bezel can be removed / replaced without damaging the integrity of the watch (assuming that we are talking Windrider / Aeromarine watches).

There are some forum members who swear by OEM bezels and thoes who think custom bezels are fine. Im waiting for my custom bezel to arrive for my chronomat evo. I spent much time reading through the forums and looking at the differences. In the end it all came down to the price tag when having to make a choice. While I feel that the factory bezels are 'Breitling' and complete the total package, I just feel that its much to expensive for me..(I was quoted 5000.00 euro from my AD) Seeing that a high quality bezel can be aquired for a third the price, then im game to try it out. The fact that its not 'Breitling' I can live with. Whats important to note is that its not necessary to buy an 'entry leval diamond bezel'.
Spending a little more may make the difference between an OK aftermarket and an excellent one..

I'll send some pics when mine arrives sometime this week I HOPE...
pete

There are only a few jewelers that can duplicate the SA Diamond Bezel. Setting 80 stones into a bezel is tedious and time consuming work. Set one wrong, and the whole thing gets screwed up. But for the price, aftermarket is the way to go. The seal of the watch is not jeopordized by changing the bezel. And if your not worried about resale, don't bother with OEM. Five years ago I bought a black dial SA with Diamond bezel from Torneau in Vegas. It was $7500. Today the same watch is $13300. Breitling has let their popularity go to their heads. And mind you, they're watchmakers, not jewelers. So there are jewelers out there that can duplicate an OEM bezel.
So buy a SA, then buy a bezel. You can change it yourself with a good screwdriver in about 5 minutes.

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SUPER AVENGER Arabic # White Dial
SUPER AVENGER Baton White Dial
SkyRacer Slate Dial
Avenger Seawolf Blk Dial
SuperOcean Blk Dial
HUBLOT BIG BANG KING
ROLEX:SS Datejust White Dial Dia. Bez
PANERAI:Ferrari Scuderia GMT

I could be very very wrong, I'll to double check with my buddy whose watch this is but I beleive he has a navitimer..could be terribly wrong though, I also cant get this pic up for the life of me so here is the URL if anyones is that interested.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/phot ... d=24303726

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Current
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust
Breitling Chronomat Evo
Panerai 112M

Retired
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46
Breitling TransOcean Chrono LE

I totally agree, and I think I am going to do something along these lines and I will post pics when its all done!

_________________
Current
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust
Breitling Chronomat Evo
Panerai 112M

Retired
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46
Breitling TransOcean Chrono LE

There probably is, but youll probably end up paying the same price as OEM if you can find one who can do it.

There is no question that OEM is superior to just about any aftermarket bezel that the majority of us have seen. Of course, OEM costs an arm and a leg, so its up to the buyer on whether or not the difference is worth it to them.

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-RJ

I talked to my jeweler this afternoon, he looked at a SA and said he can do it no problem....he done alot of custom work for me before so we will see....

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Current
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust
Breitling Chronomat Evo
Panerai 112M

Retired
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46
Breitling TransOcean Chrono LE

If your going to put a fake bezel on the watch why not just buy a fake watch to begin with?

What's the point of a fake bezel? So it looks like a real diamond breitling?

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This is a Rochefoucauld, the thinnest water-resistant watch in the world. Singularly unique, sculptured in design,hand-crafted in Switzerland.
In Philadelphia it's worth Fifty bucks.

@TXTurbo: I don't think there is anything wrong with buying non-oem accessories for your watch and calling it fake. Some people prefer Panerai bracelets or put a nato-strap on their Breitling. It's all about your personal choice and especially when you have something custom made to your taste, you shouldn't compare that to buying a fake watch.

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Navitimer World baby!
Oh, and a sweet black arabics Super Avenger for the daily grind...

If the diamonds are fake, then its fake. Other than that it wouldn't be fake. There are plenty of guys who put single row dia bezel in the SA strictly because they think the single row is more substansive. Anyone looking at it of course would know it was an aftermarket bezel, but in most cases it costs more than a double row aftermarket, or a double row OEM. I don't think it makes it "fake". I mean in the end we're talking about a pretty run-of-the mill watch with relatively low prices. The SA is not some rare piece that AD's only get one or two a year. So its not like adding a new scene into a Rembrandt or a Picasso. Its just a $3000 watch. Adding your own diamonds HARDLY makes it fake. Not for nothing, Breitling isn't using any higher quality diamonds than they were 4 years ago, nor are they setting them in some super-secretive manner, so I do not see how they justify raising the price from 7500 to 13300.

I must say if someone is doing an aftermarket, the double row, with rider tabs (or whatever they're called) is best way to go.

_________________
SUPER AVENGER Arabic # White Dial
SUPER AVENGER Baton White Dial
SkyRacer Slate Dial
Avenger Seawolf Blk Dial
SuperOcean Blk Dial
HUBLOT BIG BANG KING
ROLEX:SS Datejust White Dial Dia. Bez
PANERAI:Ferrari Scuderia GMT

I could not agree with this awsome post more. I think using the the picasso/rembrandt example puts this into REAL perspective!!!
I had a really good laugh too... cheers for smarts and humor,
pete

WOW, funny post. You will never match Breitling setting by Aftermarket setting, I dont care how good your diamond setter is. BUT, and there is always a BUT, Price is relavent to those how cannot afford or choose not to buy Factory setting. Custom setting, its got to be right, but does not affect the water seal of the watch at all, the bezel on Breitlings is totally an exterior fitting to the watch workings, so cannot affect its water proof feature. How ever it will affect your warranty. Its not agreeable to Breitling to mess with their watch in any way, once warranty has expired its a different ball game, BLING it up!!!!! I will agree, basically a £3000 price difference for £1000 worth of diamond setting is a joke, but hey thats why we love them so much!

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Want Perfection, Get a Breitling

True enough, but I guess it just depends on how much of a perfectionist you are (oh and also how big your wallet is! ). Just because a watch is RELATIVELY cheap doesn't mean you necessarily have to be anything less of a perfectionist.

But yes I conceed that some people like diamonds but can't (or don't want to) run to an OEM bezel so aftermarket is the only option. And I will also agree that Breitling OEM bezels are ASTONISHINGLY expensive for what they are.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Is this considered a fake?

Its a Skyracer case, and a Pilot band. Both are Breitling products. However the last link on the band was modified to be convex and fit the SR.

_________________
SUPER AVENGER Arabic # White Dial
SUPER AVENGER Baton White Dial
SkyRacer Slate Dial
Avenger Seawolf Blk Dial
SuperOcean Blk Dial
HUBLOT BIG BANG KING
ROLEX:SS Datejust White Dial Dia. Bez
PANERAI:Ferrari Scuderia GMT