ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
26 September 2021, 03:09 PM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: usa
Posts: 11
|
Getting my first Breitling Navitimer - need advice
About month ago at the airport I noticed navitimer, and fall in love with it. At first, I was planning to get Navitimer stainless steel blue, but I changed my mind and will go with black rose gold. My wrist size is 18cm ( 7.1 inches ). What size of case should I go with 46 or 43mm? Also im considering fully gold case version vs stainless steel and rose gold. What you guys think?
|
26 September 2021, 07:33 PM | #2 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Monaro, NSW
Posts: 846
|
Quote:
Size choice is very personal, so you really need to try both sizes on to decide. However, with 6.75" inch wrists, my personal choice was to go with vintage, neo-vintage and re-edition Navitimers at around 40mm. Therefore, my recommendation for you would be the 43mm over the 46mm. |
|
26 September 2021, 08:41 PM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Real Name: Mario
Location: HongKong
Posts: 42
|
All things being equal with the look and feel on your wrist, I would go 43mm. Feel it would be more versatile at that size.
|
27 September 2021, 12:26 AM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: usa
Posts: 11
|
Thank you guys. I was leaning toward 43mm size, now i am confident with that. I gotta wait 4 weeks for the watch since they dont have it I stock. I will be posting pictures once I get it
|
27 September 2021, 03:44 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Atlanta
Watch: Milgauss / GMT II
Posts: 464
|
I have small wrists and went with the 806 Re-edition 41 mm ....
__________________
. Rolex Milgauss Black GV / Rolex GMT II Slate Serti Rolex 2-Line Submariner / Bell & Ross 03-94 RS17 Breitling SOH II - Brown 42 / Breitling 806 Re-Edition |
27 September 2021, 01:53 PM | #6 |
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Wade
Location: TN
Watch: 116619
Posts: 2,659
|
It's completely personal preference; for me, I think most watches over 44 look too big on almost any wrist. YMMV
|
29 September 2021, 12:14 AM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 4,129
|
I would go with 43mm to start. The proportions, particularly with the hands, tend to look better at 41-43mm.
Additionally, I would reconsider a stainless steel model. I have nothing against precious metal Breitlings, they just tend to be less popular and you might find yourself fall out of love with it with poor resale value for money invested. I speak from some experience as I used to own a two tone Navitimer and fell out of love after a few years. I've since acquired a stainless steel version. The chief criticism of Breitling in recent years has been overpolished, large, flashy pieces. I think a more restrained size and case metal are more reflective of the image the brand has been pushing more recently; leaning heavily on their tool watch heritage. At the end of the day, this is just an opinion. You need to do what you think is best. |
4 October 2021, 02:12 AM | #8 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: usa
Posts: 11
|
Quote:
|
|
4 October 2021, 02:14 AM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: usa
Posts: 11
|
Im planning to add 3 years extended warranty for 8 years total. Is this worth it?
|
4 October 2021, 02:20 AM | #10 |
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Wade
Location: TN
Watch: 116619
Posts: 2,659
|
I've only used a watch warranty repair for one issue and that was on a Rolex, after 2 trips to RSC the problem persisted. I've had a Breitling Superocean for about 10 years with zero issues. To me, warranties don't hold much value. Unless it was super cheap, I wouldn't pay to extend one.
|
4 October 2021, 02:26 AM | #11 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: usa
Posts: 11
|
Quote:
|
|
4 November 2021, 06:01 AM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: usa
Posts: 11
|
picked it up few days ago. Picture as promised
|
4 November 2021, 11:14 AM | #13 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2020
Location: United States
Posts: 118
|
Awesome, I have always wanted a Navitimer. Enjoy it.
|
4 November 2021, 12:52 PM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: East Coast
Watch: 16610
Posts: 4,933
|
Great pick up. The navitimer is far underappreciated and much like all chronos these days obscured by the shadow of the daytona. The watch has real heritage and is one of the most significant chronos ever. While being a busy dial, its very easy to read.
|
4 November 2021, 11:36 PM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Real Name: Ronald
Location: Tampa
Watch: Air King 40mm
Posts: 183
|
I am 7 3/4 and I don't go above 43. Breilting watches are eye catchers and if you go to big you start to get into that Invicta look in my opinion. Looks like you made an excellent choice!
|
11 November 2021, 02:23 AM | #16 |
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2020
Real Name: Morgan
Location: USA
Posts: 89
|
I would try out 43mm to start with, 44mm might be big for your wrist and might not give you that perfect and comfortable fit...my opinion.
|
11 November 2021, 03:04 AM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Real Name: Wayne
Location: NC
Watch: 226570
Posts: 3,478
|
I have the 41mm and a 7.25" wrist. But yours looks great!
__________________
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln __________________________________________________ Rolex 226570, Explorer II Club |
19 November 2021, 09:47 AM | #18 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Posts: 3,616
|
Mine says hello….
|
20 November 2021, 10:03 AM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Sussex, U.K.
Posts: 145
|
Congratulations, it looks great!
I think that sometimes, with Navitimers, folks tend to concentrate on the slide rule aspect, and lose sight of the fact that they really are superb chronographs. The B01 movement is one of the best out there. The other thing I like is that there are so many variations, by the time you have added the particular strap you want, you can end up with a watch with an almost unique look. Good choice on the strap by the way, that’s what I would have gone for. If you see an actual watch and think “that’s for me” you often make a better decision than researching online. I’ve seen some watches online that just didn’t do it for me in reality. Some years ago I bought my first Breitling, a blue Chrono Cockpit, as almost an impulse buy (though I did think about it for a day). To this day it’s a favourite! |
21 November 2021, 01:14 PM | #20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: California
Posts: 2,176
|
Congratulations. I definitely think 43 is the best size and it could be argued that two tone is the best of both worlds.
|
27 November 2021, 06:09 PM | #21 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Singapore
Posts: 5
|
Quote:
|
|
29 November 2021, 08:24 AM | #22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: U.K
Posts: 125
|
Don’t wish to put people off, I must have been incredibly unlucky but I had 3 x 46mm b01 navitimers and after the 3rd replacement with issues I finally gave up and sold, cut my losses. I’m sure there are many many happy owners of b01 Breitling watches but unfortunately I was not one of them, shame cos it was a lovely watch.
|
1 December 2021, 09:18 AM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Sussex, U.K.
Posts: 145
|
Breitling have used many movements in the Navitimer over the years. At least 7 by my count, perhaps more, and generally speaking, each has been an improvement on it’s predecessor (the short lived quartz movement of the late 70’s being the exception).
A sensible comparison would therefore probably be the ETA 7750, used by Ernest Schneider when he re introduced the Navitimer (and confusingly called the “Old Navitimer” to distinguish it from the quartz models). It’s a good movement. Used by a lot of makers (albeit in different grades) and I own several watches that use it. It’s not perfect though. It’s designed as an automatic, and while of course you can hand wind it, the gear train isn’t rugged enough to do this fully on a regular basis. It’s also prone to problems if you change the date close to midnight. The B01 movement owes little to ETA designs, other than perhaps it’s size, and has none of the issues of the 7750. To my eyes, it owes more to Rolex designs, and I believe the recent collaboration between Breitling and Tudor is no coincidence. However, I digress. The B01 then is a well designed movement, incorporating several improvements over a comparable Rolex. It’s designed to be sturdy, it’s of modular design, allowing for relatively easy servicing, and the chronograph module is a column wheel, which has to be a superior design. Consider 47 jewels (compared to 25 I think in the ETA), a 70 hour power reserve and above all, if you have an opportunity, have a look at one under magnification. They’re decent. Hence I believe they are “up there” with the best, by which of course I’m thinking of movements in the same class, not some piece of “haute horology”! I’m sorry, and surprised, that Carl above has had such difficulties. That hasn’t been my experience, though I have owned my Navitimer 01 for relatively few years compared to some of my watches. |
6 December 2021, 03:55 AM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Washington
Watch: All of them
Posts: 10
|
Congratulations on your new Navi. It is, for me, the quintessential Brietling watch. (Some of their other offerings are nice, as well)
I have a 43mm 2010 Navi B01 LE and it fits my 7.5 wrist perfectly. The display case back also gives a beautiful view of the outstanding B01 movement. The single issue I have with Breitling these days is that they abandoned the “winged B” logo on their aviation watches. Just does not make sense to me. I put it on an alligator Rubber B, so it really does resemble your acquisition. Great look! |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.