Breitling, Rolex, Omega, Ulysse Nardin- Help Me Choose

[GTO30272]

Ok, so I have been lurking on the forum for a little while now and decided to finally post. I am looking at purchasing my first automatic watch, having owned a few higher-end quartz watches i.e. Movado ect. I enjoy so many different brands and models, it is tough to choose, as I have enjoyed looking at them for some time, just never ready to spend the money on one, as my cars usually leave me depleted. Anyways, without this turning into the childish Rolex vs Breitling debate in the other forum, I am genuinely looking for some insight and opinions. I know all 4 brands make very nice watches. I am looking for something that will last over time without any problems, i.e. not looking to flip it. I will probably wear it often and want something with history and prestige. One question I do have after lurking on the forums for a little while is that rarely anyone talks about the Bentley series by Breitling. Are these watches looked down on or not looked at in the same light? I guess the watches I have been considering are the Breitling Bentley GT Racing or Navitimer Montbrillant, Rolex Seadweller or maybe a Sub with date or Datejust Blue Roman Dial, Omega Planet Ocean Chrono, or a Ulysse Nardin Big Date or Marine Chrono.
All opinions are welcome but please keep it civil. I know I am posting this in the Breitling section, but the Rolex section has obviously been ruled out. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Watchbreath]

:-! Up there on my favorites list, UN Marine Chrono.

[Tragic]

I bought this new about a month ago so you know where I'm leaning:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c132/Tragiconda/rolex/rolexwrist.jpg

I've never owned a Breitling but greatly admire the brand and many of their models so no slights from this corner.
I just chose the Rolex because it's a simple beauty in my eyes.
All the watches you're considering are definitely hugely nice so you'll end up with a winner no matter what you choose.
Go with whichever quickens the pulse just a bit more than the others.
Good luck!

[Skipdawg]

I like them all but would likely have to flip a coin on the UN and Breitling. b-)

[rik]

I'm no expert (I'm ashamed to say I've never even heard of Ulysse Nardin) but a lack of knowledge has never prevented me from offering an opinion in the past!! :-d

First of all, welcome to the forum. Secondly, whichever you go for I'm sure you'll love it. Here's my thoughts though:

Buy a Rolex? Everyone knows the name, it's synonymous with quality watches. People will want to have a look at it. There are many fakes around though and you may spend a lot of your time saying 'no, it's a real one!' That's not the important thing though, you'll know you've got a genuinely quality item on your wrist. You'll find yourself spending a lot of time looking at your watch but still not know the time.

Buy an Omega? Arguably not as 'prestige' as Rolex but gains kudos through being 'Bond's watch'. I don't really know much about them but some guys on this forum who's taste in watches is beyond reproach have a couple in their collections so who am I to argue? Lou (I think) has an orange one which is a real beauty. Other people will think you are Bond. That's not the important thing though, you'll know you've got a genuinely quality item on your wrist. You'll find yourself spending a lot of time looking at your watch but still not know the time.

Buy a Breitling? My personal favourite; the brand on my wrist. I bought it because I love aircraft and it has a very strong aerospace heritage but they are also (in my opinion) works of art. The chronographs, digi and autos, have a 'complicated' look which appeals to me. But not so many people will know the name. Now that may be a good thing, a bad thing, or an indifferent thing to you, but when someone does spot your watch (as a guy in a bike shop did earlier this week) you generally earn yourself some kudos (if not a discount!) and it can be a good conversation starter. That's not the important thing though, you'll know you've got a genuinely quality item on your wrist. You'll find yourself spending a lot of time looking at your watch but still not know the time.

Buy a 'UN'? Dunno, never heard of it but I'm sure they're corkers! (That's a good thing BTW)

I doubt this helps, but whichever you choose, enjoy it, cherish it, and wear it in good health. And post pics!

Rik :-!

[thechief]

They are all unique in their own way. You really can't go wrong. I concur with the Nardin suggestion.

[RPrats]

I have to agree with Rik. They are all excellent watches but nothing looks like a Breitling.

[Watchbreath]

:think: Some models of TAG, Sinn and Tourneau have a simular look.I have to agree with Rik. They are all excellent watches but nothing looks like a Breitling.

[Broker]

They really are all great watches. What I would do is go see them all. Then pick the one that "calls to you". It will happen. There will be one out of all that you will know is the one.

Todd

[watch-man7777]

I'm no expert (I'm ashamed to say I've never even heard of Ulysse Nardin) but a lack of knowledge has never prevented me from offering an opinion in the past!! :-d


It takes quite a man to reveal such information! :-!

I would go for Ulysse Nardin in this situation. The Marine Chrono is simply gorgeous and the dial IMO is a work of art. UN is a great brand that definitely manufacturers many thousands of watches LESS per year than Rolex, Omega, and Breitling. This means you will probably be the only one in the room with a UN on your wrist. Like most of what others said, each brand comes with its on prestiege and history. Whether it be a rich in aeronautical, diving, or outerspace explorations, each brand has a unique aura to bring to the table. You really cannot go wrong with either.

[googoo]

I look down on all those watches....that I don't own.:-d

really it doesn't matter. Pick one that YOU like and stop worrying about brand comparisons.

[Verydark]

Just my personal taste but for me build quality, finish and details of Breitling watches are just the best among the four brands. Compared to the others you miss the "fine" factor in the caliber but this is something you´ll never notice at all and also it´s something i consider not very important in a sports watch. In this case the important thing is reliability and accuracy, in those things Breitling calibers are as good as the best and they can be serviced anywhere anytime easily. So, for me, the choice is clear but the best thing you can do is handle and try all them and decide after, whatever you buy you can´t go wrong anyway...

[no_self_control]

I am looking for something that will last over time without any problems, i.e. not looking to flip it. I will probably wear it often and want something with history and prestige. One question I do have after lurking on the forums for a little while is that rarely anyone talks about the Bentley series by Breitling. Are these watches looked down on or not looked at in the same light? I guess the watches I have been considering are the Breitling Bentley GT Racing or Navitimer Montbrillant, Rolex Seadweller or maybe a Sub with date or Datejust Blue Roman Dial, Omega Planet Ocean Chrono, or a Ulysse Nardin Big Date or Marine Chrono.

here's the little advice i can offer ...

i've always thought of rolex and omega as fairly similar. the rolex is more prestigious but the omega is better value for money.

the breitling for bentley, in the words of my AD, is an "aspirational brand". people buy them whilst aspiring to own the cars. on that basis, it's not for me because i doubt i'll ever own a bentley.

breitling are, despite some posts to the contrary, a most distinctive watch. i think they're an acquired taste. if you've got it then nothing else will do!

the UN is also unknown to me but i have a good excuse! my speciality is quartz analogue/digital multi-function watches. but you say you want a mechanical!!!

i'll add that i absolutely love my breitling B-1. they're a discontinued model, so my advice is have a look before it's too late!!!

[GTO30272]

Thank you all for the responses. If I had an extra $20k laying around I would probably buy all of them and may eventually end up with all of them one day, but this "obsession" hasn't quite bit me nearly as hard as some of my other addictions. I guess my one remaining question that I keep thinking about is that are any of the watches better suited as a daily watch that will be able to take wear and tear? Don't get me wrong, I have an office job and take very good care of my "toys", but the one thing that stands out in my mind is that the Sea Dweller is built like a tank, and I would have no worries wearing it everyday. Would I need to worry about the other watches? As far as personal taste in what I think looks the best, it is hard to argue with the Breitling Bentley or UN. I will probably never own a Bentley, not that I do not like the cars, just that they are not my style, at least not at this point in my life. The only one I have any desire for is the GT, but I personally like un-godly fast cars which is why I have a Turbo Z06, and aspire to add to my collection a Twin Turbo Ford GT and a Twin Turbo Viper. My thoughts currently are that the Omega is a great value, the Rolex is well a Rolex, the 2 Breitlings are gorgeous but not sure if buying a Bentley watch is a bad cliche when I do not own or aspire to own the car, while the Navitimer is very nice, the UN is beautiful, but not sure if it would bother me that most people have never heard of it. Not that I need people to know what watch I am wearing, but just like people don't want to have to explain that it is a real Rolex and not a fake, I don't know if I want to try to explain to people who ask who is UN. Anyways, thank you again for all of your input.

[Planet Ocean]

Ok, so I have been lurking on the forum for a little while now and decided to finally post. I am looking at purchasing my first automatic watch, having owned a few higher-end quartz watches i.e. Movado ect. I enjoy so many different brands and models, it is tough to choose, as I have enjoyed looking at them for some time, just never ready to spend the money on one, as my cars usually leave me depleted. Anyways, without this turning into the childish Rolex vs Breitling debate in the other forum, I am genuinely looking for some insight and opinions. I know all 4 brands make very nice watches. I am looking for something that will last over time without any problems, i.e. not looking to flip it. I will probably wear it often and want something with history and prestige. One question I do have after lurking on the forums for a little while is that rarely anyone talks about the Bentley series by Breitling. Are these watches looked down on or not looked at in the same light? I guess the watches I have been considering are the Breitling Bentley GT Racing or Navitimer Montbrillant, Rolex Seadweller or maybe a Sub with date or Datejust Blue Roman Dial, Omega Planet Ocean Chrono, or a Ulysse Nardin Big Date or Marine Chrono.
All opinions are welcome but please keep it civil. I know I am posting this in the Breitling section, but the Rolex section has obviously been ruled out. Thanks in advance for the help.


I have owned a number of brands. If you are looking for a watch with excellent lume, a new technology movement, and a sense of history, then your Omega Planet Ocean Chrono is excellent. I owned one, and it is a very, very good watch.

Along those lines, with less lume, but with a fun look, is my new Breitling Super Avenger Chrono. Breitling has the skies, Omega has space.

If you intend to keep the watch many, many years, then Rolex is definitely a choice you should consider. I had my first Rolex (GMT) for 22 years of excellent service, and then traded it in for twice what I paid for it.

I haven't owned a Ulysse Nardin, but have tried on quite a few. They are beautful watches, but many of them do not have a lumed second hand, and lume means a lot to me.

If I were picking for the first time, I would either get the Omega Planet Ocean Chrono, the Rolex Sea Dweller, or the Breitling SuperAvenger chrono, depending on your personal taste. I think they would each serve you for decades. I ended up with a Rolex as my "grail" watch once again, and the Breitling SA as a daily wear watch with a white dial which "pops".

But in the end you need to stand in the store, and wear them all, and one will grab you by the throat and choose you.