Breitling Watches
Discussion
Fair one. I've always shied away, as any tame jeweller I know has always told me they are more about packaging and advertising than quality. Something about the internals not justifying the cost of the piece.
Or so I've been told. Maybe thats wrong?
As for buying them from an aviation point of view, well, speaking as a pilot, the slide rule on them etc is so small as to be less than usefull, and hard, nearly impossible, to operate when you have gloves on, so again, I'd say no. For a Pilots watch, I'd find an IWC etc more usefull.
Hell though, it's your money, and they do have a certain 'bling' factor that some guys love.
Good luck with the purchase, and if you can stomach going second hand, there are some amazing bargains to be had.
Or so I've been told. Maybe thats wrong?
As for buying them from an aviation point of view, well, speaking as a pilot, the slide rule on them etc is so small as to be less than usefull, and hard, nearly impossible, to operate when you have gloves on, so again, I'd say no. For a Pilots watch, I'd find an IWC etc more usefull.
Hell though, it's your money, and they do have a certain 'bling' factor that some guys love.
Good luck with the purchase, and if you can stomach going second hand, there are some amazing bargains to be had.
Personally I'm a big fan of Breitling, and am lucky enough to have one. I would say save a lot of money and go second hand from a good 2nd hand dealer to get a lot more for your money, or go antique.
I'd also only look at Navitimers - they are the ultimate breitling.
Every brand has it's knockers, so look around, and buy well.
I'd also only look at Navitimers - they are the ultimate breitling.
Every brand has it's knockers, so look around, and buy well.
not sure about Warwickshire though.s,one
What sort of watch do you want? Breitling cover most of the styles and types I guess.The Navitimer is the classic Breitling, but of course they have the very bling Bentley range now.
Most top jewellers will stock Breitling, and you should be able to haggle 15-20% off a brand new watch. Alternatively you could try one of the many second hand specialists on the web, they should have both New, recent and vintage watches. If you want big savings then purchasing from the US or Dubai is your only choice. I guess its a case of you pay your money and takes yer choice.
Personally I love Breitlings, I have an old Trans Ocean quartz Chronograph, not very well known so It was quite cheap, very robust in Stainless steel with a SS bracelet, not to big or bling in my mind.
Good luck with your search.
What sort of watch do you want? Breitling cover most of the styles and types I guess.The Navitimer is the classic Breitling, but of course they have the very bling Bentley range now.
Most top jewellers will stock Breitling, and you should be able to haggle 15-20% off a brand new watch. Alternatively you could try one of the many second hand specialists on the web, they should have both New, recent and vintage watches. If you want big savings then purchasing from the US or Dubai is your only choice. I guess its a case of you pay your money and takes yer choice.
Personally I love Breitlings, I have an old Trans Ocean quartz Chronograph, not very well known so It was quite cheap, very robust in Stainless steel with a SS bracelet, not to big or bling in my mind.
Good luck with your search.
Remember that you don't have to buy a new one either- there are plenty of pre owned and vintage ones about...not all of them are blingy either.
Two of my Breitlings - both vintage 60s models...
The navitimer is the most recognisable Breitling though...no contest, and you would have no trouble finding an immaculate pre owned one for far less than the new retail cost.
Take your time, and most of all buy it because you really like it.
Two of my Breitlings - both vintage 60s models...
The navitimer is the most recognisable Breitling though...no contest, and you would have no trouble finding an immaculate pre owned one for far less than the new retail cost.
Take your time, and most of all buy it because you really like it.
Edited by GCH on Saturday 29th December 13:21
Good choice; go and do it.
The Navitimer as said is a classic and let's face it may be seen as the proper pilot's watch. Much the same I guess as Rolex have the diver's watch cache.
Anyway, go to Leicester, Market Street, Lumbers and talk to Dominic, the owner. He will advise, listen and give you a very good price.
Word of advice, don't go for the leather strap because the steel seems too expensive; if you do, I guarantee that within a month you will go back for the Pilot bracelet!
There are of course many other Breitlings to consider, but I love the Navitimer, you may not.
The Navitimer as said is a classic and let's face it may be seen as the proper pilot's watch. Much the same I guess as Rolex have the diver's watch cache.
Anyway, go to Leicester, Market Street, Lumbers and talk to Dominic, the owner. He will advise, listen and give you a very good price.
Word of advice, don't go for the leather strap because the steel seems too expensive; if you do, I guarantee that within a month you will go back for the Pilot bracelet!
There are of course many other Breitlings to consider, but I love the Navitimer, you may not.
Chainguy said:
... As for buying them from an aviation point of view, well, speaking as a pilot, the slide rule on them etc is so small as to be less than usefull, and hard, nearly impossible, to operate when you have gloves on, so again, I'd say no....
There was a programme on the BBC a while back called "Inside the Red Arrows". Towards the end of the programme when they were going round the table discussing who the new pilot should be, the wife and I noticed that almost every person at the table had on either an Aerospace or Emergency.Cuchillo said:
Chainguy said:
... As for buying them from an aviation point of view, well, speaking as a pilot, the slide rule on them etc is so small as to be less than usefull, and hard, nearly impossible, to operate when you have gloves on, so again, I'd say no....
There was a programme on the BBC a while back called "Inside the Red Arrows". Towards the end of the programme when they were going round the table discussing who the new pilot should be, the wife and I noticed that almost every person at the table had on either an Aerospace or Emergency.I tried a Breitling, and just couldnt get on with it. Even with the thinnest Nomex/Cowhide flight gloves I wear (from Hatch, in the USA, best I can find) I just couldn't get on with it. I wear gauntlet style ones anyways, so you'd have to pull them down to see the damn thing at the best of times. Still, for bragging rights at a bar (if thats your thing) then they certainly do the job I hear.
Regards the Emergency, it's a great idea, but if your ever going to be in a position where you'll need that trasmitter, read up on it's limitations first. You might get a surprise. I'd rather just carry a dedicated SARBE transmitter on my person, as these days they are small and light enough not to be a bother.
Chainguy said:
...I believe they get 'a deal' on them, shall we say. Very good publicity for Breitling for them to be wearing that product after all....Regards the Emergency, it's a great idea, but if your ever going to be in a position where you'll need that trasmitter, read up on it's limitations first. You might get a surprise. I'd rather just carry a dedicated SARBE transmitter on my person, as these days they are small and light enough not to be a bother.
At the time we did wonder if they had a "job lot" in 
There was a thread on here about the Emergency ... I think the bottom line was something like "Cool toy, shame its crap"
Agreed, but it's so close to the Omega Seamaster in looks it should be paying royalties.
If I was paying Breitling type money for an 'investment' watch, then I'd go elsewhere, not Breitling. And thats based on the advice of people I trust.
If I was looking for a 'showy' pilot watch, I'd go for one of these. Top kit, unburstable, and looks the part.
http://www.chase-durer.com/features/pilotxvi_featu...
And looking the part, thats the problem. Breitling have become, if anything, a victim of their own success. Every time I meet someone who wears one away from an aviation setting, I tend to find they are photocopier salesmen from Slough in a shiny suit with a de-badged 520d.
If I was paying Breitling type money for an 'investment' watch, then I'd go elsewhere, not Breitling. And thats based on the advice of people I trust.
If I was looking for a 'showy' pilot watch, I'd go for one of these. Top kit, unburstable, and looks the part.
http://www.chase-durer.com/features/pilotxvi_featu...
And looking the part, thats the problem. Breitling have become, if anything, a victim of their own success. Every time I meet someone who wears one away from an aviation setting, I tend to find they are photocopier salesmen from Slough in a shiny suit with a de-badged 520d.
Chainguy said:
Agreed, but it's so close to the Omega Seamaster in looks it should be paying royalties.
I think you'll find Omega came second in that particular race.Chainguy said:
If I was paying Breitling type money for an 'investment' watch, then I'd go elsewhere, not Breitling. And thats based on the advice of people I trust.
Agreed. Breitling, Panerai, Omega, Tag and a few others, are no longer "proper" watchmakers, they are all small parts of larger luxury goods companies.Chainguy said:
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