Rolex 16610 Sub vs. Breitling Super Ocean Steelfish

A quick post for my fellow watch nuts out there....

My beloved Submariner went off to get serviced the other day so I picked up a very cool Breitling Super Ocean Steelfish with a blue face (I will post pics later).

Initial Observations:
- Breitling had much more "bling" whereas the Rolex Sub is just plain classic
- I really like the the Pro 2 band on the Breitling and its clasp is superior to the Rolex 16610 (I hear Rolex has redone the clasp recently but I am not paying $8000 for a new 2011 Submariner!)
- The magnified date on the Rolex is very effective and after 11 years my eyes aren't used to having to work so hard to see the date on the Breitling, minor deal but still worth mentioning.
- Initially I didn't like the blue face but I got such a great deal I bought it. it has grown on me a lot and I like it now.
- I love the size of the Breitling but I can definitely see myself whacking it on door jams, etc...
- The Breitling is rated for crazy depths of 2000M / 6600' and has a helium escape valve like the Rolex Sea Dweller (now called the Deep Sea)
- I think bang per buck it would be damn hard to beat this Breitling since you can could buy one for about approx. 1/3 the price of a Rolex Submariner and 1/4 of a Deep Sea. For sheer value I'd also look at Omega but please, don't mention Tag with this group of watches- it isn't in the same league.

You consider 6600' ft crazy depths. That's where I spend most of my time snorkeling.

I hear that. CIE.. anything 5000' and above is just swimming in my book.

Still love my two babies:

http://www.authenticwatches.com/omeg...220-80-00.html

http://www.authenticwatches.com/29005091.html

The Planet Ocean is a little hefty at 45mm and has a thicker case the "James Bond" professional. I have always liked the Breitlings too. For the money, I don't think I would ever buy a Rolex. Granted, they are still a very nice watch, but still grossly overpriced if you ask me.

http://www.mbandf.com/

Considering that Rolex sells every single watch they make they technically aren't overpriced. When the "new" Daytona came out in 2001 or 2002 I was on the waiting list at 5 or 6 stores and I never got a call from any of them. You still can't buy one unless you pay MORE than retail and good luck finding a stainless one! I have never even seen one in person before. Rolex is amazing in that they definitely don't care about selling a bunch of watches. They are going to sell the quantity they want at the price they want and screw supply and demand. Rolex could up production of the Daytona and sell twice as many of them but they don't- they sell what they can build while maintaining quality standards. They have a very, very interesting business model that is almost one of a kind.

I really like that Orange Omega Planet Ocean. It may be on my list! I have always thought the regular Seamaster was one of the best values bar none.

I've had my Seamaster 300 M now for about a month. I went with the Quartz movement over Auto just for practical reasons. IMO, you can't buy a better watch for $2,000. Classic look and very comfortable. It is classy enough to wear with a suit and casual enough to wear on the lake or at the beach. I just spent 9 days on Topsail Island and mine never left my wrist. Put it through all sorts of rough conditions with salt water and sand. Still looks just like the day I walked out of the store with it.

If I ever decide to drop the coin for an Auto. It'll be the Speedmaster Broad Arrow.

Here is the Broad Arrow I was referring to.

Originally Posted by aarond0083

IMO, you can't buy a better watch for $2,000.

What about 30 these?

Do you have seventeen dollars and a good watch?

No I don't. I have uh... two dollars... and a Casio.

I hope some day I can afford a 2000 dollar watch.

Aaron- Nice watch, I love the look of the Seamaster. Why the Quartz over the Auto? I am exact opposite. I wore the same Rolex Submariner everyday for 11 years with no issues. I think a good automatic is more practical. I have 5 or 6 decent quartz watches that all need batteries tucked away somewhere. I probably need to sell them.

Skull, a battery replacement every 3-4 years is my only maintenance. From others I have talked to Autos require more and pricey attention. Sounds like that is not the case with your Submariner.

Omega batteries are $185 a piece but I have a lifetime battery and warranty plan that was free because I decided to wear my Sox hat when going to get the watch. Timepiece manager was 80 and from Boston so he gave me the lifetime plan at no extra cost after we talked baseball and Boston for 15 minutes.

I have a Rolex and a Breitling I never were the Rolex and only seldom do I ever wear the Breitling. Nothing wrong with the Rolex, it just dosen't feel as nice on MY wrist as the Breitling. IMO the band on the Breitling has more style and feels more modern. The Rolex is more classic. Both of my watches are blue face and look close. I guess it just personal opinion. Lets see your Breitling!

Nice G.... love it. Here is mine.... I am digging it. It scratches easier than my Rolex because it has a couple places with mirrored instead of brushed finishes. It is a very nice watch. You are the only dude I have ever seen with two high-end watches that never wears a watch.. LOL. When I take mine off I feel weird. When I am biking or running I wear a cool green Garmin 405 sometimes too.

it must be cool to have a Breitling with a blue face... Here is mine.

Bought it a few years ago but I don't wear it all that much.

Nice watches fellas. Love the blue face Breitling. Any of you all have an IWC?

I am with Skull in that I rarely do not have a watch on. It always makes me laugh when someone says you don't need a watch when your smartphone has a clock. I prefer to tell time without having to pull a phone out of my pocket.

I wore my Omega while wakeskating and surfing the other day. The bracelet is so well made I feel comfortable wearing it anywhere at anytime.

man i would never wear my watch while wakesurfing or skating. its too easy for a wrist to get caught up in the handle or rope or im just paranoid about losing my $6500 watch in the bottom of the lake. then having to tell the wife haha(it was a wedding gift). good luck man i hope you never lose it.

Nice Rob. Have you looked at the Panerai PAM 90? I'm not a watch guy but I am an engineering guy and those things are impressive. Much more basic look, but well made and in the same ballpark price wise. I also know a guy in the business if you need someone to acquire something specific. We can go by his place sometime....frisco area.

If I have to wear a nice watch, its the Tag Monaco or nothing...