The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey everyone, while I am still new here and have enjoyed the wealth of information that I have gained on Breitlings, I was hoping that I could get some advice on my next purchase. I love the Breitling that I purchased just a month ago, but that has now opened up pandora's box to luxury watches for me! (not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing...!) I am now considering buying the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner in Rolesor. The one with the blue dial in silver and 18k gold. I think it is a beautiful watch but wanted to get more experiences user's opinions on the matter. Is it as good as the Breitlings, will I enjoy it just as much??? Also my local AD that I have been to is selling it currently for $7,800. Is that a good price or on the high side?? I thank all those that have some feedback/input on this topic!

-Adam

The Submariner model is about to be updated soon, so I would wait and see the new model before I commit to anything.

Check out the new GMT Master IIc, its the hottest new thing, awesome watch.

Rolex are a great value and are better made and finished than Breitlings and alll other watches in its price range.

_________________
Certified watch nut.

I have to disagree with you there, Altair. Rolex have some nice watches, but I wouldn't say they're better than the competition.

For a new Rolex, I'd however go with Altair's advice and have the new GMT Master with a proper bracelet, or wait till the proper bracelet hits the Submariner.

_________________
Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I just bought my SS GMT-Master II Ceramic Bezel, I love this watch to death! Fortunately, I was able to buy it at the MSRP, people on ebay are on crack selling it for hundreds higher. I wear it 24/7, including showering and sleeping. Despite it being only listed as 40 mm in diameter, with the consideration of the lugs, it appears like a 41-42 mm watch.

Sorry Altair, but I agree with Aleister on this one. Yes, the new GMT Master IS a superb watch, and I used to own a 50th Anniversary Submariner (which was a nice enough watch too.... apart from a rubbish old-school bracelet and clasp!), but I wouldn't say they are any better made than my Breitlings.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

I'm also in agreement here.. the Rolex dials are very simple, with rarely any sort of guilloche or decoration of any kind. I can see when you say the JLC watches are made very well, this is true. However I don't buy that Rolexes are any better made or finished than other watches in the price range.. sure their steel might be a few bucks more, but really, I think a watches steel should be decided based on the application of the watch, but that's a whole nother conversation.

Having said all that, I think Rolex makes a really nice looking watch and their designs are classic and timeless.

_________________
BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

I'm not bashing Rolex as I have a Sea-Dweller, Rolex's design is sometimes a bit bland. Breitling is up there with Rolex its just that Rolex has a mean (in a good way) marketing machine.

If you are looking for the next Rolex, I would say the GMT IIc as well. It has the supercase, bigger crown (easy to grasp), and it also has the maxi dial which allows it to glow more, however not up there with the Omegas.

Do you know exactly what they are looking to change in the newer version? I absolutely love all that it is now. I would be a little leary in the fact that if I don't like the changes it might be harder to obtain an older model still in brand new condition, unworn.

I like the GMT Master IIc, but not nearly as much as the Submariner. Just not sure if I really like the bezel as much on the GMT Master IIc as I do on the Submariner.

No-one is entirely sure what the new Submariner will look like, but expect changes that are similar to those on the new GMT Master II - i.e. ceramiic bezel (possibly), slightly larger case (also possibly) and the newer and much MUCH better bracelet and clasp (almost definitely)!!

In fact Chicagofan00, the new bracelet and clasp is reason enough IMHO to buy either the new GMT Master II, or wait for the new Subbie, as the hollow centre linked bracelet and old-school pressed steel clasp on the old model is frankly not up to todays standards.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

MY GMT Master loses less than a second per week, spend some time with it setting the time, playing with thecrown and "feeling" the smoothness of the manual winding mechanism through the triple lock crown not to mension the fit and finish of the watch and it weight and balance in relation to its size and dimensions.


A Rolex is made 100% in house, from designing their movement to growing their crystal.

To each his own, but to me Rolex is a step up from Breitling and Omega. Their designs might not be as radical and interesting as Breitlings, and their bracelets, even the newer ones, are not as well designed and built but over all their watches are at a different level.

That does not mean that you should buy a Rolex over any other watch. I have three Breitlings and only one Rolex with no plans to get another, but if you like one both equally the Rolex is the better buy. Also their resale value is excellent so its not a permanent decision like Omegas and Breitlings.

As for the Sub, if you love the current model you should get it. I got the older GMT MAster II and loved it for one month before flipping it for the newer GMT MAster IIc, was out about 500USD all in all so it was no biggie. The new clasps alone are worth the wait, the older flimsier ones are terrible..

_________________
Certified watch nut.

Rolex is a fine choice. I'm very happy with mine. It's highly accurate!!! I loose less than a minute each month.

I'm looking forward to seeing the new Submariner, but I don't understand why they want to change the Submariner. It's probably the best selling HIGH END timepiece ever.

The Rolex diving watch was introduced in 1953 during the TV adaptation of Ian Fleming’s book Casino Royale. It was first broadcast on CBS starring Barry Nelson. The Submariner was released for sale in 1954, and 54 years later it's still a top seller for Rolex. Rolex has just made a few minor tweaks on the exterior and a change in the movement along the way. Let's hope the next model is even better.

~Brian

_________________
Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Of course as Altair rightly said it is each to his own, but I personally can't help feeling that Rolex is still trading a little too much on their name rather than the product. YES they are fine watches, and I'd agree that the head of my Submariner was very well made indeed, and the in-house movement was very nice and smooth as well as being accurate, but I never saw the watch as a whole as being remotely better than any Breitling I've ever owned.

The Rolex movement is quite a triumph, but Breitling's re-worked/in-house assembled propriatory movements do a fine job as well. In every other area, with the obvious exception of "perceived icon status" then I think Breitling is as good, and in some areas much much better.

On a straight comparison basis the only thing I would personally take a Rolex over a Breitling for is the resale value.

That said, I probably will still be looking at a new Submariner when they come out though!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Resale on the Rolex is incredible. It's amazing how many are on Ebay alone.

I love the movement of my Rolex, it's very quiet. It doesn't vibrate like my Navi-World or my Fortis Flieger.

~Brian

_________________
Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

Earlier in this post it was mentioned that the grade of steel used in Rolex watches might be higher than in Breitling or other watches. What makes one type of steel better than another? Certainly if we were talking about gold then we could talk carrat weight, but steel has no such ratings. Why would the rolex steel be considered superior to the steel in a Breitling? Thanks for the help!

In actual fact there are many, many different grades of steel. The most commonly used steel in quality watch-making for making cases and bracelets is 316L steel as it is a good all-rounder - reasonably hard, reasonably corrosion resistant, shiny when polished, etc.

Rolex are the only mainstream manufacturer to use 904L steel which has a higher nickel and molybdenum content and is slightly more scratch resistant and more corrosion resistant than 316L. If I remember rightly, 904L is more often used for some surgical applications (although the high nickel content is not ideal for anyone with nickel allergies!) and for machine parts that are used in highly corrosive atmospheres - like sulphuric acid manufacture, sulphur dioxide rich environments, etc. By all accounts you'd be rather hard pressed to actually be using a wrist watch in the type of environments when the additional corrosion resistance would really count for anything - if you were in a bath of sulphuric acid, then telling the time is likely to be the last thing on your mind!! Some people maintain that seawater has less of an effect on 904L steel, but you're well advised to thoroughly wash your watch in fresh water after immersion in seawater anyway! 904L is apparently 3 times as expensive as 316L steel due to the cost of the nickel and molybdenum elements.

I don't have all the metallurgical details to hand, but do a quick search on the net for 316L steel and 904L steel and you'll find a wealth of information. Hope this helps.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator