Breitling watches
Discussion
I love Breitlings! They have some proper classics in their range - the Navitimer being one of them, the Aerospace another - and in my opinion they’re up there with Omega. They’re still favoured by pilots and for many it’s their first ‘nice’ watch.
They’ve got good heritage, a link with aviation, make their own movements on the higher end stuff and are solid lumps of metal. All these brands have Chinese made parts in them anyway so I don’t think you can take the high road with any of them - they’re all much of a muchness.
The pricing is a difficult one. They crash in value and can easily be picked up for 50-60% of RRP. At those prices they’re extremely good value but you’d be mad to buy one at RRP. You used to easily be able to get 25% off in an AD but now even 10% is a stretch.
Over the years I’ve had five or six and currently have a Chronomat 44. It’s every bit as nice as the Omegas and Rolexes in my collection.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/6Z2MvZkc.jpg)
They’ve got good heritage, a link with aviation, make their own movements on the higher end stuff and are solid lumps of metal. All these brands have Chinese made parts in them anyway so I don’t think you can take the high road with any of them - they’re all much of a muchness.
The pricing is a difficult one. They crash in value and can easily be picked up for 50-60% of RRP. At those prices they’re extremely good value but you’d be mad to buy one at RRP. You used to easily be able to get 25% off in an AD but now even 10% is a stretch.
Over the years I’ve had five or six and currently have a Chronomat 44. It’s every bit as nice as the Omegas and Rolexes in my collection.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/6Z2MvZkc.jpg)
Crumpet said:
I love Breitlings! They have some proper classics in their range - the Navitimer being one of them, the Aerospace another - and in my opinion they’re up there with Omega. They’re still favoured by pilots and for many it’s their first ‘nice’ watch.
They’ve got good heritage, a link with aviation, make their own movements on the higher end stuff and are solid lumps of metal. All these brands have Chinese made parts in them anyway so I don’t think you can take the high road with any of them - they’re all much of a muchness.
The pricing is a difficult one. They crash in value and can easily be picked up for 50-60% of RRP. At those prices they’re extremely good value but you’d be mad to buy one at RRP. You used to easily be able to get 25% off in an AD but now even 10% is a stretch.
Over the years I’ve had five or six and currently have a Chronomat 44. It’s every bit as nice as the Omegas and Rolexes in my collection.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/6Z2MvZkc.jpg)
Yes the pre-loved prices can vary and there are good deals too had.They’ve got good heritage, a link with aviation, make their own movements on the higher end stuff and are solid lumps of metal. All these brands have Chinese made parts in them anyway so I don’t think you can take the high road with any of them - they’re all much of a muchness.
The pricing is a difficult one. They crash in value and can easily be picked up for 50-60% of RRP. At those prices they’re extremely good value but you’d be mad to buy one at RRP. You used to easily be able to get 25% off in an AD but now even 10% is a stretch.
Over the years I’ve had five or six and currently have a Chronomat 44. It’s every bit as nice as the Omegas and Rolexes in my collection.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/6Z2MvZkc.jpg)
As for Rolex, Omega, Mrs LFC hates my Rolex! I think it's an aesthetics thing.
I've no problem with Breitling, I have been going through a phase of really wanting the Navitimer B01 with the blue face and white sub dials, but that's only in the 46mm case size, which feels a bit much for a 7 inch wrist...
![](https://zelleyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/28983_3.jpg)
I'm really torn as I think they look lovely on leather / alligator, but then there's just something so Breitling about the preposterously shiny bracelet![hehe](/inc/images/hehe.gif)
![](https://www.breitling.com/media/image/1/gallery_square_700/asset-version-8a3fed1d10/ab0127211c1a1-navitimer-b01-chronograph-46-rolled-up.png)
![](https://zelleyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/28983_3.jpg)
I'm really torn as I think they look lovely on leather / alligator, but then there's just something so Breitling about the preposterously shiny bracelet
![hehe](/inc/images/hehe.gif)
![](https://www.breitling.com/media/image/1/gallery_square_700/asset-version-8a3fed1d10/ab0127211c1a1-navitimer-b01-chronograph-46-rolled-up.png)
I tend to buy watches I like rather than worry too much about what other people think.....
I did toy with the idea of a Chronomat like the poster above has, and was happy to put any preconceived ideas about the brand to one side as it was down to do I like the watch or not.
Ultimately I decided against, it just didn't sing to me when I put it on. Lovely piece though.
Just buy what you like, some people hate Rolex, some hate AP, some hate Hublot, some hate Breitling etc - there is no single watch brand that is universally popular.
I did toy with the idea of a Chronomat like the poster above has, and was happy to put any preconceived ideas about the brand to one side as it was down to do I like the watch or not.
Ultimately I decided against, it just didn't sing to me when I put it on. Lovely piece though.
Just buy what you like, some people hate Rolex, some hate AP, some hate Hublot, some hate Breitling etc - there is no single watch brand that is universally popular.
Chicken_Satay said:
You're not missing anything. I think it's just that this forum is frequented more by gentlemen who are on the upper end of middle age. A lot of Breitling models are better suited to the younger, professional, alpha male.
![rofl](/inc/images/rofl.gif)
It's a watch. it suits anyone who like it. "Aplha male", hilarious! Where did you get that bulls
![](/inc/images/censored.gif)
SturdyHSV said:
I've no problem with Breitling, I have been going through a phase of really wanting the Navitimer B01 with the blue face and white sub dials, but that's only in the 46mm case size, which feels a bit much for a 7 inch wrist...
![](https://zelleyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/28983_3.jpg)
I'm really torn as I think they look lovely on leather / alligator, but then there's just something so Breitling about the preposterously shiny bracelet![hehe](/inc/images/hehe.gif)
![](https://www.breitling.com/media/image/1/gallery_square_700/asset-version-8a3fed1d10/ab0127211c1a1-navitimer-b01-chronograph-46-rolled-up.png)
I do like that on the blue alligator strap. ![](https://zelleyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/28983_3.jpg)
I'm really torn as I think they look lovely on leather / alligator, but then there's just something so Breitling about the preposterously shiny bracelet
![hehe](/inc/images/hehe.gif)
![](https://www.breitling.com/media/image/1/gallery_square_700/asset-version-8a3fed1d10/ab0127211c1a1-navitimer-b01-chronograph-46-rolled-up.png)
I have no issue with Breitling as a brand, I happen to like a lot of their lower end sports watches, I say lower end but if we are honest they really aren't because we are still talking a few grand for a watch.
I would probably buy one used if I was going to buy because they don't as a rule hold value well but in the end I buy watches to wear not for investment.
stumpage said:
I must be one of the mad ones. Just bought a new Chronomat 42 after trying loads of different options. Love it.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Z9hV5ddu.jpg)
Photos don’t do Chronomats justice. You need to see them in the flesh. Yours is lovely, though and would look cracking with a brown leather strap. Much better without the funny bracelet they now come with - not too keen on that yet.![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Z9hV5ddu.jpg)
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff