Is Breitling a serious watch company?

[ronin_ph]

Picked one up recently at the airport on a spur of the moment buy. Although they have their range from low to high, I wonder if they're really up there in terms of workmanship, legacy, etc.

With that said, I'm a bit regretful about my purchase. Seems to be a lot of bling factor (and possibly little else).


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[Poly]

Not sure if this is really a serious question.
But, I'll bite briefly - yes, they are a serious watchmaker. I think their quality stands up against anything else in the same price bracket, including Rolex.

[andromeda160]

10 years ago I would've said that they're more of a bling watch company. they used to use modified ETAs but now they have an inhouse movement in most their watches. It seemed that they didn't have a set style in the 90's too, but they've evolved the chronomat as well as the navitimer lines so they have their own unique style. While they do not hold up as well as Rolex in the secondary market, they make great movements, fantastic cases, and they're quite aesthetically pleasing although a bit large. plus with offerings such as the emergency, they're innovative as well. I think that they stand up just fine on their own as a watch company, my uncle has a two tone chronomat that's an absolute stunner.

[GermanyMatt]

Just one guy's opinion here, but Breitling is a great value if you buy right. Excellent watch all around. I have a Chronomat 41 that I really enjoy. It looks great on leather and rubber, where as my BLNR really doesn't look good on anything but the bracelet. Plus it's a totally different look than Rolex, which is a plus in my book.

[salem65]

You can rest assured, it is a serious watch company. One of the better ones.
What did you pick up?

[jbsmith]

I agree that they are definitely a "serious" watch company. Their B01 movement has a 70 hour power reserve and comes with a 5 year warranty. Nice on the eyes as well with the clear case back models. :) Love my Navi LE and as Matt pointed out, they look great on leather, mesh, bracelet, etc...

[DalePenkala]

I don't know a ton about them other than I love a couple of there models and at some point WILL have one in my collection.
As far as size goes I do tend to like the oversized look, but that's just me.

[AK797]

They are a top firm, on a par with Omega.

[Diamonddream]

Originally Posted by poly

not sure if this is really a serious question.
But, i'll bite briefly - yes, they are a serious watchmaker. I think their quality stands up against anything else in the same price bracket, including rolex.

+1

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

10 years ago I would've said that they're more of a bling watch company. they used to use modified ETAs but now they have an inhouse movement in most their watches. It seemed that they didn't have a set style in the 90's too, but they've evolved the chronomat as well as the navitimer lines so they have their own unique style. While they do not hold up as well as Rolex in the secondary market, they make great movements, fantastic cases, and they're quite aesthetically pleasing although a bit large. plus with offerings such as the emergency, they're innovative as well. I think that they stand up just fine on their own as a watch company, my uncle has a two tone chronomat that's an absolute stunner.

Originally Posted by andromeda160

10 years ago I would've said that they're more of a bling watch company. they used to use modified ETAs but now they have an inhouse movement in most their watches. It seemed that they didn't have a set style in the 90's too, but they've evolved the chronomat as well as the navitimer lines so they have their own unique style. While they do not hold up as well as Rolex in the secondary market, they make great movements, fantastic cases, and they're quite aesthetically pleasing although a bit large. plus with offerings such as the emergency, they're innovative as well. I think that they stand up just fine on their own as a watch company, my uncle has a two tone chronomat that's an absolute stunner.

10 years ago breitling was making perfectly executed 5 and 7 link solid bracelets that for all intents and purposes will not stretch. cosc'ing all of their chronometer grade eta (tudor doesnt use that high of quality eta ebauche). and releasing interesting variants on ebauches including the hercules and 24 hour navitimer cosmonaut. they were the first company to introduce a seperate push piece chronometer and then again first to introduce the dual push piece chronometer. their flight insturments were extremely useful and were delivered to the british RAF during wwii.

[Ian Macdermott]

i would hope so my Navitimer is on for a service and at £556 its not cheap.

[bde]

I would say yes.

[locutus49]

Not on par with Rolex (IMO) but closer to Omega and Tag, again IMO.

[Saoirse32]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Not on par with Rolex (IMO) but closer to Omega and Tag, again IMO.

Yikes, putting them next to TAG?! Ouch, I think the brand deserves much better than that no offense to the TAG lovers. And not that my opinion matters much but I think they are definitely on par with Omega.

[sechsgang]

I think they are a little in btw. I wouldn't put them NEARLY at Rolex level and you definitely need to find an appropriate discount (like 35 ish off or more) but they are great watches. I prefer their more basic models to serve as a kind of Tudor competitor. I had one and the quality was so so (a chronomat gmt)...it spent a lot of time in switzerland) Looked good though.

[Spartacus]

Most if not all of their watches are COSC certified, they have an in-house movement. A long range of products that appeal to their own crowd.

I certainly would not associated them with Tag. They are more aligned with Omega and IWC in my opinion. I would put Panerai a step behind Breitling in terms of watch brand and being serious about watches and movements.

[sapingo]

Originally Posted by ronin_ph

Picked one up recently at the airport on a spur of the moment buy. Although they have their range from low to high, I wonder if they're really up there in terms of workmanship, legacy, etc.

With that said, I'm a bit regretful about my purchase. Seems to be a lot of bling factor (and possibly little else).


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yes

[T. Ferguson]

I consider them a serious watch company and would put them maybe a notch or two down the ladder from Rolex with a couple of other serious watch makers. They make a quality product as far as I can tell. Most of their styling isn't my bag, but that's got nothing to do with anything.

[Galion]

Buy second hand, great value for the money.
I like trading watches but my Breitling stays, love it.

[Gerardus]

Dev a quality watch!

See this YT ( Super Factories: Breitling) Great impression!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIiGRKbEHIE

Love wearing my BA

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

I consider them a serious watch company and would put them maybe a notch or two down the ladder from Rolex with a couple of other serious watch makers. They make a quality product as far as I can tell. Most of their styling isn't my bag, but that's got nothing to do with anything.

Originally Posted by locutus49

Not on par with Rolex (IMO) but closer to Omega and Tag, again IMO.

At the risk of being verbose I'll follow up, after all it's a forum:

Agreed. Rolex is greater in quality, Breitling compares with Omega and Tudor. IMO

Originally Posted by Galion

Buy second hand, great value for the money.
I like trading watches but my Breitling stays, love it.

True, there are some great second hand deals out there for most models, Avenger GMT seems to hold value and not discount as much.

[Rockrolex]

I have this Navitimer Olympus which is currently in for its first service in at least 6 or 7 years (or maybe ever):



and it's one of my favorites.

[GB-man]

Absolutely serious and beautiful designs in some cases (pun intended ). I think the navitimer is as good as anything in its price range. I consider them akin to omega and tudor.

[HERITAGE82]

Is this question serious?!.... And you probably picked the wrong model if you regret your purchase.

Here is my serious watch with great history

[Docar]

The best "do everything" tool watch available is
a Breitling.
Referring to the various Superquartz models.
Mine is the B1 and it is the one watch I would
keep if I could only keep one.

Breitling is excellent.

[123Blueface]

To me, don't care what it's on par to or what value it holds or anything else but do I like it, is it a quality product and can I afford it.
All yes on this one. One of my favorite watches. It puts a smile on my face whenever I wear it.

[pbv]

All my mechanicals are Rolex and Omega.
Where Breitling scores (IMHO) is Superquartz.

Perhaps the only Swiss Company that have managed to successfully merge the high-accuracy-quartz & luxury watch images.

Quality is comparable to Rolex (and Omega)
Brand image...perhaps not.

[ct.matt]

I generally like the look and maybe I'm too susceptible to marketing but the brand image, to me, is cheapened by the fact that I can buy Breitling on overstock.com and at Costco. I do like how he Seawolf looks on the padded leather strap, though.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by ct.matt

I generally like the look and maybe I'm too susceptible to marketing but the brand image, to me, is cheapened by the fact that I can buy Breitling on overstock.com and at Costco. I do like how he Seawolf looks on the padded leather strap, though.

Rolex and Patek have been found at Costco too.

[Franks07]

I have always viewed my Breitling Chronomat 0818 as a "serious watch". The 52mm case is a bit much even by today's standards; but it does hold a permanent place in my modest collection which does include several Rolex/Tudor and Omega models.