[Jeff0901]

I started a thread a while ago to compare the aquis relief silver dial with the rado captain cook skeleton and from seeing pictures online I decided to go with the aquis relief but when I saw it on the flesh I was just too hesitant to pull the trigger, I guess it wasn't love at first sight.

I am looking again for your help guys. I need a dive styled watch I can wear on a daily basis next to my Oris pro pilot date blue, therefore I am looking for a dial in black/silver/white with a metal bracelet. i am not a looking to rotate between a lot of watches so I am trying to build up a collection of three nice watches: pilot , diver, dress watch.

My current diver is an Alpina Seastrong 300 quartz (I regrettet buying it because it's a quartz and too bulky with no micro adjustment so the bracelet is either too lose or too tight)

So I have three watches on my mind and I can point out what I like the most about each one, keep in mind I have a flat 7 inch wrist and my preference size would be around 42-43.

Oris Aquis Black:

• Since owning a propilot date from Oris I love this brand and what it brings to the table.
• The design, perfect for the office and every day
• Accessible here in Switzerland with a lot of good offers for a new one

- sw 200 feels like a standart movement and nothing special about it, I also heard its not the most accurate one. It fine by me if it lasts me for a couple of years (Yes with servicing of course)


Formex Reef (With changing bezel)

• I recently discovered this watch and really like the Idea of changing bezels to match up the style so I would go with either a grey or white dial
• cosc movement
• people praise the bracelet on this thing

- I feel like the price is still a little bit high for a new brand, so I feel like there is no brand recognition among non watch-freaks .

Breitling Superocean 42 / 44 (would need to compare sizes in flesh)

I know it's not a fair comparison but considering the other two are half the price it's worth comparing them.

• Breitling, a brand I loved even before getting into watches. All other Breitlings I like are far out of my budget (so like 6000+)
• movement
• design

• no ceramic bezel (Its not a big deal but I think it catches more scratches)
• price
• I feel like it is not a watch you can pull off with every style, correct me if I am wrong. Please 😅 😅 ( I work in a casual office environment )

In general I like wearing a watch that gets complimented and shows a little bit off ( I know this sounds superficial, but hey when you spend for something this amount of money you want it to be noticed )

Other watches I looked into but are less considered: Maurice lacroix venturer , Mido ocea star 600 , Union Glashütte Noramis Datum Sport (no metal bracelet tho)

Many thanks for your help guys and sorry about the long dialogue

 

[bigclive2011]

Breitling out of those three for me.

 

[Sonar]

I have the reef and can only say good things about it

I'd recommend getting the metal bezel and one of the color you like. The blue/ black/ green bezels all look somewhat similar in a lot of light. Somewhat redundant. I saw them in the flesh at a Formex event. I never liked the metal one in pictures but it looked great in person

Personally I prefer the rubber strap because of the looks but yes; the bracelet is amazing

They are not really a new brand; been around for 20+ years. They are part of a supplier to Swiss brands. Produce bracelets, clasps etc. Because of this advantage they can produce stuff no other mico can really do. Really good and personal service as well

 

[Zedd88]

I'd go with the Brietling SuperOcean 42.

 

[Jeff0901]

I have the reef and can only say good things about it

I'd recommend getting the metal bezel and one of the color you like. The blue/ black/ green bezels all look somewhat similar in a lot of light. Somewhat redundant. I saw them in the flesh at a Formex event. I never liked the metal one in pictures but it looked great in person

Personally I prefer the rubber strap because of the looks but yes; the bracelet is amazing

They are not really a new brand; been around for 20+ years. They are part of a supplier to Swiss brands. Produce bracelets, clasps etc. Because of this advantage they can produce stuff no other mico can really do. Really good and personal service as well

Thank you for the brief reply, i think I need to see one in flesh somehow, I like the black dial with metal bracelet and if I get it I will get myself the black bezel and rubber band too, so I can adjust it based on needs. Do you have some wrist shots ?

 

[sgtsla]

SuperOcean 100%

Ken

 

[composer]

Breitling is on a higher level between those.

 

[cheu_f50]

Breitling Superocean

 

[Timez]

Breitling for me out of those 3.

However based on your criteria you may want to check out the Breitling Superocean Heritage for a bit more eye catching bling and a ceramic bezel.

 

[Summydad1]

I would go Breitling for sure. I’m a diver fan and I love my SuperOcean. I have a 42mm. It wears slightly small so keep that in mind. The 44mm might be just right for you. The finish is better than you would think. One other recommendation would be Tudor Pelagos. If you are gonna spend the money for a SuperOcean then the Pelly is right around the corner.

 

[Jeff0901]

Breitling for me out of those 3.

However based on your criteria you may want to check out the Breitling Superocean Heritage for a bit more eye catching bling and a ceramic bezel.

I saw that one and tried it on but somehow the super ocean impressed me more. Do you think the superocean 42 can be dressed up ?

 

[Jeff0901]

I would go Breitling for sure. I’m a diver fan and I love my SuperOcean. I have a 42mm. It wears slightly small so keep that in mind. The 44mm might be just right for you. The finish is better than you would think. One other recommendation would be Tudor Pelagos. If you are gonna spend the money for a SuperOcean then the Pelly is right around the corner.

I like the pelagos but know a lot of people who own it and the price of the breitling is already at max for me.

 

[Summydad1]

I like the pelagos but know a lot of people who own it and the price of the breitling is already at max for me.

Ok cool. You will not be disappointed with the Breitling. It’s an excellent watch. Just out of curiosity what didn’t you like about the Aquis relief. I have one too and I love it. Granted it’s a little more funky with the band color and kinda flashy. Also, depending on where you buy it, the SuperOcean can be negotiated down some in price.

 

[Sonar]

Thank you for the brief reply, i think I need to see one in flesh somehow, I like the black dial with metal bracelet and if I get it I will get myself the black bezel and rubber band too, so I can adjust it based on needs. Do you have some wrist shots ?

See how the green bezel looks almost black in certain light

Dont get it if your wrist are under 6.5inch btw. It wears pretty large. I am 6.75

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[Jeff0901]

Ok cool. You will not be disappointed with the Breitling. It’s an excellent watch. Just out of curiosity what didn’t you like about the Aquis relief. I have one too and I love it. Granted it’s a little more funky with the band color and kinda flashy. Also, depending on where you buy it, the SuperOcean can be negotiated down some in price.

I liked it but I think it was way to flashy in the store for me, maybe it due to the extreme lighting they have there I would have to check it out again and it was on the red rubber I would need to see it on metal bracelet. How would you compare it to superocean ? Especially esthetically and how is it perfomrning ?

 

[Sonar]

Regards the breitling recommendations; the reef is definitely better finished than entry level breitlings.

Also more practical with the on the fly adjustments

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

 

[Jeff0901]

See how the green bezel looks almost black in certain light

Dont get it if your wrist are under 6.5inch btw. It wears pretty large. I am 6.75

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Thank you for the shots 😊 it looks really great and I think out of my three options its the sportiest one

 

[Jeff0901]

Regards the breitling recommendations; the reef is definitely better finished than entry level breitlings.

Also more practical with the on the fly adjustments

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Cool makes sense 👍I think they charge you for the name there too. What do you think of the formex in black dial and metal bezel ?

 

[Sugman]

I have the Oris and the Breitling. My Breitling gets more time on my wrist because it’s not so “blingy.” However, the Aquis was my first “nice” watch, and it has its own charm (case shape, great bracelet]. You can’t really go wrong with either. Let your conscious (and budget?) be your guide.

One quick suggestion, though: If you’ve already ruled out an Aquis once, is simply changing colors going to do the trick?

 

[Sonar]

Cool makes sense 👍I think they charge you for the name there too. What do you think of the formex in black dial and metal bezel ?

Will look very cool. I picked the black dial party because of the black strap. The metal will give it some pop. If you get a black bezel as well it will be more under the radar. Great to have the choice

Breitling obviously charges for the name as well. Nothing wrong with that. You will have to answer for yourself if you want a big name brand watch or prefer a niche brand. Pure value speaking the Casio F91 always wins.. Formex offers the flexibility.. Breitling is good quality but at least 1k goes to the branding