The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Am I a traitor?

What I am about to say may not be taken kindly. Please do not read if you are weak at heart, pregnant or on blood pressure medication.

I am the proud owner of a Breitling Navitimer A13322 on the steel Breitling braclet. Very classic black dial with white eyes. I think the 6,9,12 configuration suites this watch better. I suppose it depends on what you own. As most people like to justify their choice with German precision.

I also have an Omega Speedmaster Professional - man on the moon watch. This piece is from the mid 80s and uses the 861 movement (the 321 movement is the holly grail of Speedmaster movements). I have this piece on a modern Speedmaster pro bracelet - I also have a 1171/1 (replacement 1171 bracelet) on hand for when I feel like a vintage pos.

Ok.
The above are both nice pieces..... but which do I prefer?

That is the 60 million $ question. This is like stating which child you prefer.

The answer is...... THE OMEGA SPEEDMASTER.

Don't get me wrong - I love the Navitimer. But I just love the Omega a little bit more.

Comparisons:-
1) Size of case. Personally I feel the 40mm Omega case to be much more professional. I know the dinner plate size watch is all the rage now..... but once this ends - remember mission brown? We will revert to NORMAL size watches. The height seems much more proportional to the watch. Taking a 20mm bracelet is fine. 22mm is pushing the extremes.

2) I find the dial on the Speedmaster to be perfect. The Navitimer dial is a big plus also.... but I think the Omega wins by a nose.

3) Movement - the Omega 861 manual wind movement is very classic and simple. The 7750 is really just a tarted up generic swiss movement. Very Noisy, very clumbsy. The pushers on the Omega have a much nicer feel. The Navitimer feels difficult to operate.

4) Finish - the shiny polish of the Breitling is 1 area I prefer to the Omega. However - I could never imagine the Omega in a shiny finish.

5) Snob appeal - I think the Breitling is slightly higher.... however to a watch aficionado the Speedmaster is also a well regarded classic. I think the Breitling wins it by a hair!

6) Bracelets - The Omega Speedmaster came in a range of bracelets. The 1171 is still available for classic fans whilst their are another 3 or 4 genuine bracelet choices. The modern bracelet feels very Rolex in design and quality. The Breitling bracelet is very good but the clasp is not as nice as the Omega.

7) Resale value. The Breitling is approximately twice the price of the Omega when new. Bang per buck - the Omega wins. On the used market the Omega holds more of the original %. Both watches are wanted. Probably easier to sell the Omega at the end of the day.... but the Breitling is no hard sell.

Box/packaging. The Breitling Bakelite box is really just junk. The rear end breaks over time. The Omega box is no stunner by modern standards. I think the red Omega box takes it by a nose again.
Breitling paperwork is however better than omega - very low rent the omega printed stuff.

Lets compare the situations you could wear both watches:-

Omega:-
Job interview
work
funneral
x-mas party

Breitling:-
some work use - but a bit showy
dress wear
dating a lady friend
Nightclub

At the end of the day the following fact is most disturbing - the omega is still regarded as a sports watch whilst the navitimer is today considered a flashy dress watch.

Didn't you run Omega owners down not long ago

Nobody here is offended if you choose to share your opinion with us. Its when you say things that sound like youre just trying to invoke some type of reaction.

Ya like when you start with the sissy remarks.

_________________
YOU CAN'T HAVE A GREAT TIME WITHOUT A GREAT WATCH.........MAKE IT A BREITLING

you don't sound like a proud owner to me. And is a 40mm omega really that much smaller than a 41mm navitimer? Do you really have to agonize over your watch decision when you go to a "funneral"? so many questions and so many different answers....

Don't get me wrong...but you're one wishy washy guy.

I couldn't have said it better myself

_________________
Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

The word I was thinking of is "conflicted." Seems to fit I think.

_________________
Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

Agreed, although I don't think really either one is too big. Proportion is key. What's funny is going onto Paneristi.com and checking out the small Asian guys with watches that are about 1" off the side of each wrist bone.



Personal preference I suppose.



Movements are an interesting thing to discuss academically, but ultimately the sourcing doesn't matter much. The issue is quality. Quality is there regardless of in-house sourcing or otherwise.



Personal preference. Perhaps you wear the subdued piece to an interview or a funeral.



Neither one is really suitable for snobbery IMO.



Own a Rolex for a few years and come back to me on that one. Their bracelets can become notoriously loose.



Yeah, Breitling's resale is a little low.



I don't wear the box. Anyone else with me?

_________________
Avenger Skyland
If I said I was good, you'd think I was bragging.
If I told you I wasn't, you'd know I was lying.

Archie has many issues.... schooled in the English public school system.... attached to nobody except palour girls.....

Archie has lead a very hard life.... albeit with alot of money.

Material goods have been a crutch for old Archie.

Nothing replaces the joy of a owning things.

I think your posts are always interesting and provocative; even if it annoys others here. Never boring with you around (should I encourage?)

_________________
Avenger Skyland
If I said I was good, you'd think I was bragging.
If I told you I wasn't, you'd know I was lying.

dear third person Archie,

I'm sorry to hear that, life with a lot of money is tough



seriously? Do you ever read what you write, or do you just not remember it in the mornings.

Hello !

Archie does have a problem with the bottle at times.... albeit johnny walker blue, johnny walker green and royal salute.....

Archie is slowly going through the booze.

Must be the booze talking, how on earth can an Omega be a better watch than a Breitling?

_________________
Breitling Super Avenger White, Steel
Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 Black, Ocean Racer
Rolex Submariner Bi-Metal, Yellow Gold/Blue
Panerai 112, Black Leather (Soon Hopefully!)