Breitling Navitimer
Discussion
Hi all
Ok, I'll admit I don't know the first thing about 'nice' watches. I normally wear a Citizen that was a gift for being my friends best-man. The most expensive watch I have ever had was an Emporio Armani (£300) and that got stolen!
I've always fancied a Breitling, and recently popped into a jewellers to look at a few, try them on etc. I took the brochure home and narrowed my options down to the Navitimer with a metal bracelet, I think it's a really nice watch and would love to own one, and hopefully I could convince my g/f that it's an investment
I don't really fancy a Rolex or Tag, I've just always fancied a Breitling.
I'd appreciate your opinions on Breitlings in general, and in particular the Navitimer. Are they well built? Do they need servicing as such? Do they generally appreciate in value over time? Would it be suitable as a 'daily' watch to wear for work, sat on a PC all day? If it got scratched I would probably cry so maybe wearing for work wouldn't be a good idea.
I look forward to comments!
Cheers
Ok, I'll admit I don't know the first thing about 'nice' watches. I normally wear a Citizen that was a gift for being my friends best-man. The most expensive watch I have ever had was an Emporio Armani (£300) and that got stolen!
I've always fancied a Breitling, and recently popped into a jewellers to look at a few, try them on etc. I took the brochure home and narrowed my options down to the Navitimer with a metal bracelet, I think it's a really nice watch and would love to own one, and hopefully I could convince my g/f that it's an investment
I don't really fancy a Rolex or Tag, I've just always fancied a Breitling.
I'd appreciate your opinions on Breitlings in general, and in particular the Navitimer. Are they well built? Do they need servicing as such? Do they generally appreciate in value over time? Would it be suitable as a 'daily' watch to wear for work, sat on a PC all day? If it got scratched I would probably cry so maybe wearing for work wouldn't be a good idea.
I look forward to comments!
Cheers
That post could (almost) have been written by me!
Most expensive watch I had was an Armani one for £300 - although not stolen. Always loved Breitlings. Sat at a PC all day....
I started off 'small', buying a couple of Tags. I used to wear my Link S every day, until I realised that with the way I braced my wrist on the desk when typing/resting, I was actually scratching the under-side of the bracelet to hell.
I was very upset. As such, I have stopped wearing a watch for work (the time is everywhere I look anyway! Dash of the car, iPhone, computer screen, Sky News, etc...).
I finally bit the bullet and ordered my Navitimer World on Sunday. I went for the black face, black croc strap with the clasp, not the buckle. My intention is to wear it as often as possible as I think the strap is a little less 'bling' than the bracelet and I was not at all impressed with the quality of the bracelet on the Nav World I tried on.
Only problem for me now is that I have had a phone call saying that I will not get it from Breitling until the middle of November!!! Something to be aware of if you spec your own instead of buying from stock.
I don't know about servicing, but on my Tag's it is every 2 years (couple of hundred quid I guess), but a cost you may not have considered will be the additional insurance - be it on your home insurance or as an extra policy. Based on the value of the watch. Best to shop around as the ones from the high-street stores where you buy the watch, can be a bit OTT price-wise.
P~
Most expensive watch I had was an Armani one for £300 - although not stolen. Always loved Breitlings. Sat at a PC all day....
I started off 'small', buying a couple of Tags. I used to wear my Link S every day, until I realised that with the way I braced my wrist on the desk when typing/resting, I was actually scratching the under-side of the bracelet to hell.
I was very upset. As such, I have stopped wearing a watch for work (the time is everywhere I look anyway! Dash of the car, iPhone, computer screen, Sky News, etc...).I finally bit the bullet and ordered my Navitimer World on Sunday. I went for the black face, black croc strap with the clasp, not the buckle. My intention is to wear it as often as possible as I think the strap is a little less 'bling' than the bracelet and I was not at all impressed with the quality of the bracelet on the Nav World I tried on.
Only problem for me now is that I have had a phone call saying that I will not get it from Breitling until the middle of November!!! Something to be aware of if you spec your own instead of buying from stock.
I don't know about servicing, but on my Tag's it is every 2 years (couple of hundred quid I guess), but a cost you may not have considered will be the additional insurance - be it on your home insurance or as an extra policy. Based on the value of the watch. Best to shop around as the ones from the high-street stores where you buy the watch, can be a bit OTT price-wise.
P~
you didn't say which colour face so, is it this one ?
very nice - dial is too fussy for my taste, but i think it's a great watch.
as far as wearing it every day and (possibly) scratching it - if i got it i'd wear it. if the bracelet gets scratched, it can be polished out. if it breaks, it can be fixed. i also think they're tougher than they look.
i wouldn't get a nice watch to keep in the safe ( would be a waste IMHO )- but that's just me
very nice - dial is too fussy for my taste, but i think it's a great watch.
as far as wearing it every day and (possibly) scratching it - if i got it i'd wear it. if the bracelet gets scratched, it can be polished out. if it breaks, it can be fixed. i also think they're tougher than they look.
i wouldn't get a nice watch to keep in the safe ( would be a waste IMHO )- but that's just me
PhantomPH said:
I finally bit the bullet and ordered my Navitimer World on Sunday. I went for the black face, black croc strap with the clasp, not the buckle. My intention is to wear it as often as possible as I think the strap is a little less 'bling' than the bracelet and I was not at all impressed with the quality of the bracelet on the Nav World I tried on.
Only problem for me now is that I have had a phone call saying that I will not get it from Breitling until the middle of November!!! Something to be aware of if you spec your own instead of buying from stock.
November! I've been looking at getting the Montbrillant Datora. All but one of the jewellers I spoke to had none in stock, but most of them said could get one within 2 weeks, with a discount of around 10% being the best deal I found.Only problem for me now is that I have had a phone call saying that I will not get it from Breitling until the middle of November!!! Something to be aware of if you spec your own instead of buying from stock.
Have you tried visiting the dealers on Oxford/Bond St? I'm sure a few of them had the model you're looking for when I was there a few weeks ago.
From what I've seen the OP shouldn't have this problem, as all of the Breitling AD's I've visited have had a Navitimer in stock. You might even get one at the old price if you're lucky.
If it's of any help I've had Breitlings for about 20 years and a Navitimer for ten of those. None of my watches have caused a problem and are still accurate despite never having been serviced nor kept in a watch winder. I have fairly small wrists but as you'll see it isn't out of place at all and I prefer the bracelet due to the style of the watch. Incidentally, as regards the comment about the watch being a bit fussy, if you use it correctly as a slide rule you'll come to realise just why all that info is there and how damned useful it can be!
lowdrag said:
Incidentally, as regards the comment about the watch being a bit fussy, if you use it correctly as a slide rule you'll come to realise just why all that info is there and how damned useful it can be!
^^that's^^ very nice 
sorry - i wasn't clear in my post. i never said it was pointless - i'm sure the design and layout are the result of a lot of planning.
but i don't need my watch to do any of that and i prefer simple looks - like the rolex SD. so that's what i chose.
this is just my taste though - i still admire the breitling for being a very nice watch.
I have a Breitling SuperOcean, worn it every day for 2 years now and its brilliant. Gets bashed, covered in oil and other grime from being at the garage but a quick clean with an old soft toothbrush and it comes up new.
Due for a service soon and the only thing wrong is more cosmetic, the black has come off the spinny dial on the outside through wear and tear.
Excuse the crap pic. The watch is too big for my wrist but I like it slightly loose anyways, plus there are no more links that can be taken out.
I wouldnt swap it for the world, as it was Dad's and there is its association to TVR as well.
Claire
Due for a service soon and the only thing wrong is more cosmetic, the black has come off the spinny dial on the outside through wear and tear.
Excuse the crap pic. The watch is too big for my wrist but I like it slightly loose anyways, plus there are no more links that can be taken out.
I wouldnt swap it for the world, as it was Dad's and there is its association to TVR as well.
Claire
Webber3 said:
November! I've been looking at getting the Montbrillant Datora. All but one of the jewellers I spoke to had none in stock, but most of them said could get one within 2 weeks, with a discount of around 10% being the best deal I found.
Having spoken to them again, they say that it's because the Navitimer World with the black face/black croc strap and clasp is not held in stock much, hence will have to be made to order. It could be a lot less than 24 weeks, but allegedly they have to quote high as it forms a 'contract' with the dealer.We shall see!
I have worn a Navitimer as my daily watch for the past 2 years , black face with white sub dials & steel bracelet. I've had no problems at all. Its been banged about few times but no scratches on the face and only very light ones on the metal that would polish out if I could be bothered. I havent had a service done and it still keeps good time.
I love the look of the watch , its just the right size for my wrist and isnt too flash for work purposes. The main reason I brought the navitimer was its the pilots watch and I wanted something to remind me of my grandad after he passed way - he was a ww2 bomber pilot.
Go for it , you wont regret it.
I love the look of the watch , its just the right size for my wrist and isnt too flash for work purposes. The main reason I brought the navitimer was its the pilots watch and I wanted something to remind me of my grandad after he passed way - he was a ww2 bomber pilot.
Go for it , you wont regret it.
Edited by marcusRX on Tuesday 27th May 19:57
I love the Navitimer, possibly my favourite watch. Yes, it's very well built. Yes, it should be serviced every few years just to keep it at its best. No it won't appreciate in value - I bought my much loved 2002 50th Anniversary Navitimer brand new last year for considerably less than a standard 2007 Navitimer. I don't wear mine everyday mainly because I'm very precious about it but a colleague of mine wears his day in, day out, regardless of what he's doing. Scratches are a fact of life when it comes to watches but once you get one on there, the ones that inevitably follow aren't too painful! While there might be watches which are better investments or offer better value for money, if it's one you've got your heart set on, then do it because it's the right watch for you.
Guys (and Gal)
thanks very much for all your replies, much appreciated. Much friendlier in here than P&P, eh?! Nice to be reassured that I'm doing the right thing. The watch I really wanted was the design that SpydieNut posted above, or maybe with a darker face rather than the blue one. I also quite liked the leather strap, rather than the bracelet, but my g/f said the bracelet was much nicer, and she's the boss!
I'm just about to spend all my money on a new car, so I'll have to wait a month or so I think before seriously looking at buying a Breitling. Rest assured i'll resurrect this thread when the time comes with a "Is this the right price?" question!
Thanks again all.
thanks very much for all your replies, much appreciated. Much friendlier in here than P&P, eh?! Nice to be reassured that I'm doing the right thing. The watch I really wanted was the design that SpydieNut posted above, or maybe with a darker face rather than the blue one. I also quite liked the leather strap, rather than the bracelet, but my g/f said the bracelet was much nicer, and she's the boss!
I'm just about to spend all my money on a new car, so I'll have to wait a month or so I think before seriously looking at buying a Breitling. Rest assured i'll resurrect this thread when the time comes with a "Is this the right price?" question!
Thanks again all.
PatBateman said:
The watch I really wanted was the design that SpydieNut posted above, or maybe with a darker face rather than the blue one. I also quite liked the leather strap, rather than the bracelet
For me, black face, baton markers and black leather strap are tantamount to Navitimer perfection 
Seb d said:
PatBateman said:
The watch I really wanted was the design that SpydieNut posted above, or maybe with a darker face rather than the blue one. I also quite liked the leather strap, rather than the bracelet
For me, black face, baton markers and black leather strap are tantamount to Navitimer perfection 
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