Rolex or Breitling (quality)

[Makash]

Rolex or Breitling ? (quality)

I know Rolex is something like status symbol, and is considered higher than Breitling. But i was wondering if in the terms of pure quality (without looking on prestige) is Rolex better. Movement, finishing, bracelet quality, etc. If you compare for example the Yacht Master with platinum bezel or the Submariner with the new Breitling Galactic SleekT Unitime (the whole new model, with tungsten carbide bezel) or any other B with in house movement. Which is better? Are Rolex movements better then Breitling in house movements? I read that Panerai, for example doesnt have very high quality in house movements, bacause they are not making them for long time and they need to practise. Is it same with Breitling? Thanks for any answers.

[Ca$hOnly]

I owned my Breitling for 7 years. I had to have a full service done twice within that time period. To me that seems a little excessive. I sold it and got a Rolex. We'll see how this one holds up.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Ca$hOnly

I owned my Breitling for 7 years. I had to have a full service done twice within that time period. To me that seems a little excessive. I sold it and got a Rolex. We'll see how this one holds up.

I think that there is a small amount of quality difference between every mechanical watch regardless of who made it.
I bought a subd and a Chronomat evolution within a couple of months of each other. That was about 8 or 9 years ago. I've not serviced either, but today the B loses about 2 or 3 seconds a day, whereas the Rolex about 30 a day. Both need a service.
I love the B, it's just too big for me.
I would rate the quality of my pieces about even.

[MitchSteel]

Trust me, Rolex is better.

[Sevada84]

Breitling just started making in-house movements in 2009 with the B01... So it may be too early to tell in regards to the movements reliability.

My vote would go to Rolex, they make all their parts, have their own foundry, and have a much longer history/track record/experience with several in-house movements designed from the ground up.

[AF_Rob]

I own both brands and I would have to say ETA movements aside, the bracelets and dials are better on Breitling. The models I have are all at least 3-4 years old. I cannot speak to the newer models.

The definite thing is that Rolex has been playing catch-up in the bracelet department in recent years. But they have caught up.

[TinyCyclops]

Owned many Breitlings for two decades, no problems at all...pretty damn good watches!

[h999r]

about the same level . they both have a good quality of watches.

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by Ca$hOnly

I owned my Breitling for 7 years. I had to have a full service done twice within that time period. To me that seems a little excessive. I sold it and got a Rolex. We'll see how this one holds up.

I know a small sample size, but the two breitlings I have had required an abnormally large number of servicings, and same goes for my uncle who has had 4-5 breitlings. He still likes them despite that, but i'm only keeping one since it was a gift. I've written off the brand, especially the service dept. The one I got as a gift i've had for 15 years, been serviced 5 times.

[TimeBandit]

Fell in love with the SuperOcean SteelFish...Not sure why, just stopped getting the wrist time. Flipped towards SeaDweller.

[mschafer]

I liked this hodinkee.com report quite a bit. Made me appreciate Rolex even more. Otherwise, it's whatever works for you and whichever watch suits you and your life style better. Best of all, it's all fun.
Check this out:
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/inside-rolex

[jimmyred21]

I have had 4 rolex watches and have had good luck with them. Have had to have them rebuilt after 10 years or so. recently purchased a new navitimer limited edition as I have always loved the way they look. This one has the new b1 movement but to early for me to say how reliable it is. I do however have some thoughts for you. While boating, swimming or bathing I have no concerns about water penetration because of the screw down crown. Although the the Navatimer is rated to be quite waterproof I don't have the confidence I do with any rolex with the screw down crown. 5 years from now I might not feel the same.
Secondly, if I was purchasing my first luxury watch I would purchase a steel Rolex submariner black face date. In my view it's the most versitile watch on the planet. Casual or tux. Not to big or small and built like a BSH. Top resale of you don't hand it down to your family. Just one persons view. Have fun and enjoy whatever you select. Jim

[Saoirse32]

Had the Chronomat with the 01 movement. Sold it (at a huge loss BTW) but it still remains the most accurate watch I've ever owned and that includes going up against my Hulk which is currently only gaining 1.5 secs per day.

[breitlings]

There are a lot of watches I don't wear as much But breitling is not one of them.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by jimmyred21

I have had 4 rolex watches and have had good luck with them. Have had to have them rebuilt after 10 years or so. recently purchased a new navitimer limited edition as I have always loved the way they look. This one has the new b1 movement but to early for me to say how reliable it is. I do however have some thoughts for you. While boating, swimming or bathing I have no concerns about water penetration because of the screw down crown. Although the the Navatimer is rated to be quite waterproof I don't have the confidence I do with any rolex with the screw down crown. 5 years from now I might not feel the same.
Secondly, if I was purchasing my first luxury watch I would purchase a steel Rolex submariner black face date. In my view it's the most versitile watch on the planet. Casual or tux. Not to big or small and built like a BSH. Top resale of you don't hand it down to your family. Just one persons view. Have fun and enjoy whatever you select. Jim

Dude the navi is one of their least water resistant watches. Chronomats go deep but navis are not like that.

[VICI]

Had her since new and the quality is great. I get more compliments on this one than on my others

[sakebomb]

I've owned my bentley 8 years now and recently got the sub c. Quality of both is fantastic. The white dial in the bentley is spectacular! Aside from the hit you take when you sell, Breitling makes fantastic watches.

[Saoirse32]

^^^^^^agreed, only negative is the resale but if bought used...score!!

[lmcgbaj]

I've owned over 30 different Breitlings. Rolex is just better.

[wmoore]

I currently have 3 Rolex 1 Tudor and this SOH. I give a slight edge to Rolex, however at 2.5 to 4 times the money for the models I bought rolex should have the edge.
That having been said the mesh bracelet on the SOH is super comfortable and there is definitely room in my rotation for the B
Cheers
Wayne

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Ca$hOnly

I owned my Breitling for 7 years. I had to have a full service done twice within that time period. To me that seems a little excessive. I sold it and got a Rolex. We'll see how this one holds up.

Why did you need to have it serviced twice?

[Dave A]

Well, I have been asking myself the same question for the last year or so!

I have a 44mm Superocean sporting an Ocean Racer strap. It's been on my wrist for 2 years now & looks as good as new.
Accuracy is plus 2s per day, and has been so from day one.
I know the Sea Dweller itch will be scratched at some point, and my only reservation is the Breitling will be pushed to one side through no fault of it's own.
I got a good discount on my Breitling, so can't really complain about depreciation.
... but man is that Rolex really worth the extra £4000 entry fee?

[rebel_1]

Breitling is the brand that got me into this obsession. I think their watches are great. My only beef is with their ETA movements and the whole date changing issues at certain times. I also don't understand why a company like Rolex can basically keep selling the same watch over and over without changing much if anything. Sure Rolex changes some things up a little and starts new lines every once in a while, but Breitling seems to change their entire line up rather frequently.

One of my favorite Breitlings was my Blackbird. I traded it a couple of years ago. If they ever come out with another big date watch with their in house movement, I'll probably buy it. As for their other models, there isn't anything I like enough to buy.

[GB-man]

Breitling is great but rolex is better.

[BrianMay]

Just traded my Breitling Colt for half the price I paid 14 years ago - it had a hard life when I was flying.

I put the money towards my mint Datejust 16203.

Breitling was faultless, I prefer the Rolex now I don't need the bezel and stopwatch function.

[Galion]

Both are good quality watches with reliable movements but Breitlings are built like tanks and are very accurate, Rolex not so much. Said that, I prefer Rolex since they hold their value much better.

[GolfPunk]

Originally Posted by Galion

Both are good quality watches with reliable movements but Breitlings are built like tanks and are very accurate, Rolex not so much. Said that, I prefer Rolex since they hold their value much better.

Really?? Rolex Oyster watches are both 'bullet proof' and extremely accurate. I love my breitling crosswind but it's definitely not as accurate as my 4130 movement Daytona!!

[madmax21]

I've owned several Rolex watches as well as several Breitling in the last 10 years. I believe Rolex to be superior I find Rolex to be easier to wear more comfortable more precise in terms of time keeping I also feel they hold their value much better than Breitling. although the older Rolex watches with hollow links and older Jubilee bracelets may not have been as durable as Breitling in recent years Rolex is making just as good if not better bracelets then Breitling. It's my opinion that if we compare a new Breitling with its in-house movement to a new Rolex the Rolex is better in every way.

[Left wrist]

my second luxury time piece was the breitling chrono avenger in like 2004.... this was the titanium avenger, which was since sold, but man did i love that watch. it was ahead of its time size wise, and an AP was very much out of my budget at that time as i was playing a lot of poker back then

personally, at the time, rolex didn't have anything that compared to the wrist presence like a breitling unless you were talking gold. even then, nothing size wise could compare. with that said, I choose ROLEX ALL DAY. to me; and sorry for breitling enthusiasts..... breitlings were more of a fad even though they do have a real history. i don't have any in my collection today. I think they compare more to an omega, in which i choose Omega over breitling....

[vintage navitimer]

My two cents worth of opinion. Breitling has been making it's own movement for just a few short years (actually they bought a small movement company a number of years back and made it there own). Rolex has been making its own movement since . . . well, forever. Advantage Rolex. As for fit, finish, level of polishing work, absolute attention to detail . . . I think Breitling wins that aspect.

Oh, as for Panerai in house movements. Panerai is part of an ownership watch group that includes JLC (jaeger lecoultre) Plenty of history to JLC movements, that is essentially what you get in a Panerai with an "in house" movement. Top notch stuff!