The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey guys, this is my first post and I have to say that this site is an invaluable resource. I am amazed at the type of respect and friendly vibe all the members of shown to each other. It’s quite refreshing.

I have been researching Breitling watches for about a month now. There is something about the brand and the looks that I just love.

I had a little time to kill over lunch today, so I decided I would visit a local AD near my work and try on a couple of watches. This was the first time that I ever tried on a Breitling. I really like the looks of two watches, Navitimer and Colt II Automatic and would like to get one with leather at some point. I tried on a Colt II Automatic with a Pro II bracelet and a Navitimer with a leather deployment band.

My ideal watch combination is a Colt II Automatic (white face) with a brown leather deployment band. I know this is considered an “entry level” watch, but honestly, I just like the way it looks. I could afford a Navitimer, but should probably just ease into the high end watch world.

I had a couple of observations on these two watches and I wanted to get your feedback. They are very basic, but I figured that I would ask.

1.)I was surprise with how heavy the “head” (not sure if I am using the right term) of the Colt II watch was. My current watch is very light and thin, so it would probably take some getting use to. It felt like it was very high quality, but heavy. I mentioned this to the person helping me, that they said it was probably the bracelet that would adding to the heaviness, but I didn’t think so. Some of your probably have huge watches and would laugh at this observation. The Navitimer felt much lighter.
2.)I really liked the look of the Navitimer, but I feel as though, the bezel would easily get knocked and scratched on things. Has that been a problem for anyone else?
3.)The Navitimer had a deployment strap and honestly, I felt it was a little hard to unhook. Maybe I just didn’t have enough time to play with it?
4.)I know the Colt II comes in Quartz. Would the Quartz versus automatic hold up more over time? Would it still need servicing like an Automatic? My general thought is if you are going to get a Breitling, it should be an Automatic, but I just wanted to hear from everyone.


Thanks in advance for your time and input. Best Regards

Welcome to the site and the brand, personally I much prefer autos or mechanical to quartz just think if ur going to buy ur first high end watch it's should be a proper feature of mechanical engineering not a battery operated watch...... Now before I get hammered forthat I have 2 quartz breitlings but I bought them for function not complications

on to the navi question, i don't baby my watches and am naturally clumsy so occasionally i catch the bbezel and have put a few scratches on the bezels too but wouldn't benany diff if I had a colt

Navis are a differnent breed to colt, colt is water proof vs navis that are scared of water and very allergic

personally I prefer the look, feel, busy dial, class and pedigree of a navitimer and IMO there is not better first breitling

hey frist off welcome to the boards you are right it is a great place and lots of the senior members here really know there stuff. most of these questions that you are asking are more personal preference kind of things. i have to agree with alex that if you are comparing these 2 versions then i too would pick the navi. All around just nicer looking IMO.

good luck to you whatever watch you pick i am sure that you will love it. my advice is pick the one you like and if the cost between the 2 is not something that you need to worry about it makes picking that much more fun and easy

Welcome to breitlingsource.

The colt is a nice watch, but the Navitimer is a fine intstrument for messuring time.

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Breitling for Bentley 6.75

As has been said those are very different watches and it has to come down to preference. I don't find Navitimer bezels to be any more knock or scratch sensitive than any other Breitling, but as has also been noted, they aren't as resilient when it comes to water - they need to come off for any swimming / showering / etc.

The Aeromarine range that the Colt is in are fairly rugged cases so I'm not surprised that you would feel that the head is heavy - it is a hunk of steel on your wrist, but you will soon get used to it.

I am a big fan of the deployant clasp, it will ease up as it ages and you will also get used to it. Remember also that the strap that you tried on was new and stiff - they also soften up after a couple of weeks.

Quartz watches do need servicing, the cost tends to be slightly less than mechanicals, but it is still necessary. You also have to remember that quartz watches will eventually become obsolete - Breitling has announced that it will support movements for 20 years after it stops using them, but a mechanical watch can have a life of hundreds of years if looked after.

I'm surprised no one's said it earlier. It doesn't matter which one you buy. You'll buy the other one before too long!

The way I'd compare the watches is that if I was on holiday, I'd wear the Colt to the beach and the Navi to dinner. Pick which best fits what you're looking for.

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http://f4buz.com/watches/breitling/fakes/fakes.html

Thats what happened to me. I bought the Datora, and was satisfied for 6 months. Then i had to buy the Seawolf to use when i was golfing or skiing or scubadiving.

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Breitling for Bentley 6.75

This is the hidden secret of quartz and I love every time Roff brings it up...

I find it much more comforting to know the watch can be passed along as a keepsake. Fantastic tradition to start.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

Thanks to everyone for their input. I really appreciate it.

Welcome! I am also here researching my first Breitling purchase.

Since I began learning more about timepieces, I have seen some pretty amazing stuff, with amazing price tags attached.
Sometimes it's had to keep a balanced perspective. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that a Colt is less of a watch than it is because that's the way it seems compared to a Navitimer (or, for that matter, a Rolex, Patek Philippe, tourbillon, gold, diamonds, blah blah blah). The Colt is a fine, durable watch of high quality and no one ought to feel anything but pride with one on his wrist.

Peace

Mike

Welcome to the forum, It is a great place for advice and freindly chat with like minded people.

As with every watch it is personal choice. I favour the Blackbird in the windrider range and most watches from the aeromarine range, I have owned an airwolf from the professional range but for no real reason feel happier with a mechanical watch.

Pick the watch that winks back at ya when you try it on and have a good look at the different combos available - try using the configerator on breitlings site for different combo's.

I have just picked up a second hand superocean steelfish and is getting all my wrist time. I think the white face looks so classy, it isn't as imposing as my sa but has more wrist presence than the rolex gmtIIc. I would say that watch is a great starter watch but again that is only IMHO.

Keep us all posted.

John

I wouldn't use any mechanical watch when playing golf (mini golf is ok) or tennis (squash) because of the impact.