Help.......Breitling dive watch or baume and mercier>>>

[kingleonidas]

Hello all:


I am very conflicted as to what type of dive watch I should buy. I am not going deep sea diving at all, actually I won't go past 20-30 feet, but I want a watch that is safe in the water, yet I won't have to pay 5,000 or over.


I was looking at the breitling dive watches, ( I want it on a bracelet of course),

and this watch....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B003QBFIPW




What do you guys recommend as a nice, big, manly size watch, that is strong, waterproof, and durable....without the 6,000 dollar price tag, and are there any reliable places you guys have dealt with that I can buy from online?


Thanks so much.

Tom

[salty_snack]

Neither!

Get a tudor dive watch. Better than the breitling by a fair margin and better than the B&M by a wide margin.

By "manly sized" I hope you mean 40 to 42mm... 45 mm at absolute most... Bigger than that is classless.

[kingleonidas]

Yes....42 the most !!

Are the new tudors associated with rolex, or do you have to go back to before a certain year?

Thanks for the info..it is most helpful.

Tom

[SixPak]

See my post in the Non-Rolex Forum, lol.

[captainscarlet1]

I would go with the Breitling every time.
Here's my 1999 Superocean, bought new from an AD.
It was my daily wearer up until recently and was put through all kinds of abuse.
I think it has stood the test of time very well. The BM you refer to is a nice watch though

[MatthewInSeattle]

A Breitling dive watch, something like a SuperOcean 42mm is going to be water resistant to 1500 meters, and going to run you about $3500 new at an AD. Not a bad watch, and not a bad price. Comparing it to a Tudor, either the Black Bay at $3450 (200m resistance), or the Pelagos (500m) for $4125.

Price wise, the Black Bay is a wash, and the Pelagos will cost you more.

Tudor has always been affiliated with Rolex. It's a wholly owned subsidiary of Rolex SA, and the watches are manufactured at Rolex. The movements are modified ETA based calibers, just like the SuperOcean. The difference (if there is one to you) is that Breitilng is a COSC certified piece, while the Tudor isn't. Some people put a lot of stake into it, some don't.

I honestly like the look of the Tudor more, the classic look with a nice clean dial is awesome. Breitling makes a solid watch though, and I do like both the rubber and leather options (especially the new DivePro 3 strap).

[salty_snack]

Get the tudor, you'll love it. There is no question that the fit and finish is a step above the others. Don't worry a second about cosc either. There are cheap Asian movements that would conform to that antiquated standard if they were tested so basically it doesn't mean anything anymore.

[kingleonidas]

Thank you all for your opinion....if anyone else wants to weigh in, please do !!

[bgolfo]

I have a superocean 44, got it for just over 2500 at an AD. 2000m water resistance, great watch. Big watch and good weight, stylish and sporty. Wear it everyday too and i just love it. just my opinion tho

[tavv160]

I will have to agree with Tudor Pelagos. IMO the best diver out there at the moment and I prefer it to the Breitling. But then again, it is all personal opinions. Get what you like most, and not what a bunch of random dudes on a forum like most.

[Presa canary]

I really like the superocean

[salty_snack]

The font of the breitling is ugly and somewhat juvenile. And really who cares about the depth rating? You'll be dead long before getting anywhere near 2000 meters.

[SixPak]

Originally Posted by salty_snack

The font of the breitling is ugly and somewhat juvenile. And really who cares about the depth rating? You'll be dead long before getting anywhere near 2000 meters.

That's a very useful and informative post.

[salty_snack]

Originally Posted by SixPak

That's a very useful and informative post.

Thanks!

It's all true.

[beshannon]

Breitling Superocean

[lja1821]

Breitling no doubt, its a great watch and built to last. The quality,fit and finish are superb and on par with tudor while some models blow tudor out of the water imo. Yes they are cosc certified movement to some it may not mean much but if its not a big deal how come tudor hasnt jumped on big brothers bandwagon and done the same-- answer because rolex lovers wont care and buy an overpriced non cosc eta anyway!!You really cant go wrong with any of there divers great watches at great prices, i think if tudor was not affiliated with rolex it wouldnt be as hyped up as it is albeit they have produced some great watches as well. I would encourage you to try any breitling diver and then strap on a competitor in the same $ range and your decision will be alot easier, breitling all the way..

[AK797]

I agree with Brian of course, get the Breitling Steelfish, preferably in blue, the modern day classic Breitling diver and beautiful too. Its 44mm but wears smaller like a 43mm.

[/QUOTE]

[salty_snack]

I have to scoff a little bit at the thought that breitling's fit and fishing are "superb"... At this price point I would say they are mediocre for the most part and really not that much if any better than watches at half the price.

While tudor isn't the fit and finish of rolex it isn't far off. I would put a tudor up against a breitling any day and expect them to be at very least equal.

If tudor isn't your thing and, IMO, breitling shouldn't be anyone's thing then look into the sinn divers and maybe even a seiko diver. (gasp) A 42 mm planet ocean may suit you well or the ever versatile seamaster. But avoid the special editions, especially the James Bond ones.

[asadtiger]

get omega for much less than anything, and you will thank me :)

[asadtiger]

although I must add,I love the breitling aesthetic and have nothing against their reliable quality but Omega divers are my primary choice :D

[steveclocks]

I would go Breitling aswell

[lja1821]

Originally Posted by salty_snack

I have to scoff a little bit at the thought that breitling's fit and fishing are "superb"... At this price point I would say they are mediocre for the most part and really not that much if any better than watches at half the price.

While tudor isn't the fit and finish of rolex it isn't far off. I would put a tudor up against a breitling any day and expect them to be at very least equal.

If tudor isn't your thing and, IMO, breitling shouldn't be anyone's thing then look into the sinn divers and maybe even a seiko diver. (gasp) A 42 mm planet ocean may suit you well or the ever versatile seamaster. But avoid the special editions, especially the James Bond ones.

obviously you dont like breitling and to push your anti breitling agenda on the op is poor form..if you cant answer the question with any good unbiased information than dont answer at all...really a sinn or seiko better than breitling there are many breilting fans here look at the discussion section you are in, to say breitling is a mediocre brand clearly shows how misinformed you are.. Its not a brand for everyone but for those whom it is there is no doubt its a superb watch.

[lja1821]

Originally Posted by salty_snack

The font of the breitling is ugly and somewhat juvenile. And really who cares about the depth rating? You'll be dead long before getting anywhere near 2000 meters.

The only thing juvenile is this post..

[salty_snack]

Originally Posted by lja1821

obviously you dont like breitling and to push your anti breitling agenda on the op is poor form..if you cant answer the question with any good unbiased information than dont answer at all...really a sinn or seiko better than breitling there are many breilting fans here look at the discussion section you are in, to say breitling is a mediocre brand clearly shows how misinformed you are.. Its not a brand for everyone but for those whom it is there is no doubt its a superb watch.

It's true I don't enjoy the majority if the breitling line save a few models. But there is no question that the Sinn or seiko watches at the similar price points are a much more worthy watches... You do know seiko makes there own in house rugged movements that are just as good as Swiss made watches costing two or three times as much... Not just $100 junkers. I think between the two of us you seems to be the less informed or experienced since you so easily dismiss anything but breitling. And any omega with the 8500 blows the breitling divers out of the water... So to speak.

Oh and my intent was to describe the fit an finish are mediocre at this price point and when comparing it to more expensive watches, not all of them of course, the fit and finish is obviously if lesser quality.

And since we are on the topic I might as well address your comment about breitling being a mediocre brand. Just FYI it is! It's not rolex, jlc, go, pp, VC, breget, ect... Ect... Ect. Yes it's better than timex and B&M and movado ect. but that's not saying much. As far as its production watches I would say its on a similar footing although slightly higher than tag heuer save the B01 And B04 (but tag has the 1887 so it's not far off). A big difference is tag makes some amazing technologically advanced movements while breitling doesn't venture into that area much if ever and that's fine since most people buying breitling wouldn't be in the $60k+ market anyway. None the less breitling uses mostly generic movements just like tag.

Addressing the op... Since he was between a B&M and a breitling I can only assume he isn't the most well informed watch buyer and that's fine... At one point in time I was in the same place and over time my taste and appreciation of fine watches matured. I'm just trying to help them out because in the sub-5k market there is a lot of garbage and really only a dozen or two watches worthy of the money.

Oh and the "sporty" font used by breitling on some of there "sporty" watches is juvenile. Lots of companies make sport watches and don't need to make the font something you would find on a $30 dollar plastic quartz that is made for the pre-teen market.

[lja1821]

Ok i will give you that there is a lot of garbage out there that people can waste money on if not informed however i would not compare breitling to any of those brands you have listed. I would not consider a breitling an upper level luxury watchmaker(some models like the new chronomat make a case) like rolex just like i would not compare a rolex to a pp two different watches altogether. I am aware that seiko produces in-house movement,so does breitling, and am not disputing that fact for the price they are great watches but once again apples and oranges. Like i said its not a brand for everyone but it def has a place in the mid level luxury watch market unlike overpriced sinns and tudors.. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one...

[lja1821]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Breitling Superocean

Great pics brian, looks like coki beach in VI, love that place

[AK797]

Originally Posted by salty_snack

And any omega with the 8500 blows the breitling divers out of the water... So to speak.

I totally disagree. I tried on the black 8500 fully expecting to buy it and while its a nice watch it is pretty bland and boring and it actually felt a little cheap and clunky esp for the high price so I went with the subc which has a much higher fit, finish and feel. And considering the 8500's price is almost double that of the Steelfish, which in blue dial form is far more beautiful than the rather plain old PO, its actually even more beautiful than the AP RO blue, I think the Steelfish is great value and def the smart buy over the 8500.

[salty_snack]

Originally Posted by AK797

I totally disagree. I tried on the black 8500 fully expecting to buy it and while its a nice watch it is pretty bland and boring and it actually felt a little cheap and clunky esp for the high price so I went with the subc which has a much higher fit, finish and feel. And considering the 8500's price is almost double that of the Steelfish, which in blue dial form is far more beautiful than the rather plain old PO, its actually even more beautiful than the AP RO blue, I think the Steelfish is great value and def the smart buy over the 8500.

No argument here on the sub over the PO. Personally I'm a little torn over the dial on the steelfish because its trying to be a tool watch with a decorated dial which seems out of place to me. The royal oaks tapisserie pattern is easily one of the most amazing engravings in any dial, ever.

The PO goes for around $1k more than the steelfish so it seems that may be a bit of a stretch for what your getting.

[bgolfo]

My opinion is to each their own
Secondly Breitling is a very good watch brand, not the best but not the worst
Third, OP get what you want because YOU will be wearing it and none of us
Lastly, anyone who says seiko or sinn is better is Breitling might be smoking too much but what do i know ??

[salty_snack]

Originally Posted by bgolfo

Lastly, anyone who says seiko or sinn is better is Breitling might be smoking too much but what do i know ??

Grand seikos are without a doubt better watches than breitling at a similar price point. The spring-drive and hi-beat are great in house movements and some of the models such as the "snowflake" have truly unique and beautiful dials.

Sinn may be using generic movements just like breitling but the technology they put into their watches far exceeds anything you would find at a breitling ad.

Tigmented steel, copper sulfate capsules, argon in filled cases, dipal coating, antimagnetic cases, ect. breitling doesn't offer this stuff and when you compare the price of sinn to breitling there's no question which is a better value.

I just think people put breitling on much too high of a pedistal simply to satisfy their own self delusion. If you like the design... Ok. But there is little technical merit in this brand, with the exception of the B01/04.