If I were out doing stuff in the wet, snow, mud, etc., I'd rather have the BB36 on my wrist. It is designed to be a sports watch (case has satin finishing with polish on bezel and flanks, brushed oyster bracelet, 150m WR) but still has enough presence and a timelessness to the design that lets it blend in with more dressy occasions. The 1926 is designed to be a more elegant, dress-style watch, but I don't think you get the same versatility if you were to take it out of a dressy scenario and into an active setting (like skiing, swimming, as you mentioned).

I would tend to believe the BB36 would be the more durable of the two, simply because the satin finishing on the lugs and bracelet would handle - or should I say "disguise" - normal wear and tear better than the all polished case of the 1926 (i.e. an all polished case is going to look worse all scratched up than would a brushed/satin case). The oyster bracelet would be easier to resize, clean, or replace on the 36 than the 7-link on the 1926, and you probably have a greater variety of strap options that would work better given the more utilitarian look of the 36... but just my .02.

 

Yet, when trying both of them on my wrist I liked the 1926 better. It's slimmer, smaller, the case is also shaped in a way that makes it look and feel more wearable. I love the contrast of golden hands on a steel watch and the 1926 also offers that on a white dial.
When I look at pictures the 36 is definitely more attractive, but having it on my wrist, the 1926 was a surprise.

And there's your answer.

I love my 1926. Harkens back to the early Tudor big-rose models from the 40s and 50s with waffle dials, is insanely legible (for the white/blue model that is), more comfortable bracelet than the BB36 (IMO of course) and is still unique and interesting enough to still make me smile after close to two year of ownership.

 

Because of your post I bought this watch! You mongrel! I love it!!! ❤

 

Are you ever annoyed because you can't read the time on your watch due to lighting? This could be under certain lights, in a dimly lit interior room, against a ceiling with a darker color, etc. No issues with that in the BB36. Even when there's enough light for the lume not to matter, the entirety of the hands are painted white and they contrast against the dark dial. There is a 1926 with a wonderful contrast dial in the above post, but it does not have lume if that matters.

 

Love both of these and have also entertained this question.
Wrist Pics, please. Which dials are you considering?

 

I’m considering the 1926 in white with golden hands (it can double as my everyday watch in the office) and the BB36 in blue. I don’t have a picture with the blue 36, but here is one in black, close enough.

 

Yet, when trying both of them on my wrist I liked the 1926 better.

I don't think anything more needs to be said.

 

I was very disappointed with BB36, mostly with the bracelet that looks too narrow. Absolutely love 1926, would prefer it with blued or gold hands. But, both weren't available at time in my area.
So... I went with this one, 36 mm case and 20 mm bracelet.
I DGAF that it is sold as women's.
It's 50 m WR, which is enough for my daily activities. I would wear something digital to the swimming pool anyways.

 

I never liked the BB36. It seems like it wants to be in the Oyster Perpetual/Aqua Terra space, but that dial just screams “dive watch without a rotating bezel”. It always looks odd. Doesn’t seem like it would look as good with a suit, either. Of the two, I’d get the 1926.

But based on you requirements, I would get neither and get an Aqua Terra in 38mm or 34mm, whichever I like best.

 

I never liked the BB36. It seems like it wants to be in the Oyster Perpetual/Aqua Terra space, but that dial just screams “dive watch without a rotating bezel”. It always looks odd. Doesn’t seem like it would look as good with a suit, either. Of the two, I’d get the 1926.

But based on you requirements, I would get neither and get an Aqua Terra in 38mm or 34mm, whichever I like best.

Totally agree with this.

 

I was in the same exact position a couple of months ago. 1926 VS BB, but for the 41mm versions. I couldn't decide, so I got a breitling

But seriously, if I find myself thinking BUT BUT BUT for more than a day or two, I take it as a sign that neither can make it into the "finals". If it takes too much thinking, I take a step backwards. In case I was wrong I will find myself looking at them again and again in the near future. If I never think of these watches again, I was right to walk away.

On the other hand, when I saw the one I got instead, it took me 3 seconds to say "TAKE MY MONEY" . Didn't need any more processing time.
This methodology is patented. If you use it, you need to pay up!

 

So, which Breitling?

 

IMHO, the 1926 is a great looking watch, regardless of the color combo.

I have the BB, but would take the 26 in a heartbeat.

 

Yeah I agree the 1926 is a great looking watch with a lot of value.

 

The dive watch style dial without a bezel never looked right on the BB36 in my opinion. I came very close to buying one (the blue dial) last year, but the dial kept putting me off. If I were you, I would go with the 1926 over the BB36.

 

The 1926 is a nice looking watch, but I feel its a better watch for business attire, smart dress etc. where the BB36 is more versatile - I recently bought a BB36 with a fair discount.

 

The 1926 is a nice looking watch, but I feel its a better watch for business attire, smart dress etc.

This is how I feel as well. I have looked at the 26 with blue hands and white dial several times as a dress watch. Hard to wear it daily with no lume for me as I do a lot in low light environments. The bracelet is definitely dressier also. Either are a good choice.

 

Hey OP, it doesn't look like your pics uploaded correctly! 😜

 

Here is a novel idea. How about not buying a Tudor at all.

 

Here is a novel idea. How about not buying a Tudor at all.
View attachment 16390551

 

Just buy a watch—any watch for that matter—and just be done with it.

 

I like both of these watches, BUT the 1926 is a bit in no-man's land for me. Too formal for my everyday, yet a bit too sporty for true formalities. Hands scream dressy, bracelet says sporty. Again on the fully polished case...not my idea of an everyday piece. No lume. I agree with others that the BB36 has the big wide lip for a bezel, but in this case I'd lean in that direction as it just fits my personality and use a bit better.

 

I always thought bb36 looked a bit feminine (or whatever appropriate way to say this is nowadays), just the way things in the dial are arranged. 1926 seems bit more dressy and boring.

If it were me, I would prefer rolex explorer 36 or OP 36 (not that that can be obtained easily)- if I needed brand recognition.

But ultimately, I think "cool" factor is important, and it plays a big role in getting you to wear the watch, aside from just the comfort and objectivity. If you think 1926 is comfortable but ultimately not that "cool," it might not becoming the ultimate keeper.

 

the '36 is purposefully beautiful.
the 1926 looks like one of those cheap watches from Rotary.

 

Wrong post, it was too big given the OPs criteria

 

Maybe a COSC Longines Record collection
Don’t know [emoji2369]

Honestly not a bad choice.

 

Blow “most people” and buy the watch that you like best (I suspect the 1926)

 

Be careful! People might know your terrible secret that you like something different than them! My advice is to browse watches on instagram and keep a tally on which ones you see with the most posts and post likes, then buy that exact watch!

 

I had the same problem last year. I went in to look at the BB36, and got side tracked with the 1926 in opaline dial. I took about 6 months to decide and chose the BB36 in black because it had lumed hands/markers and had a more brushed bracelet. It also fit my more relaxed casual attire (jeans + t-shirt). If I were back in the office wearing business casual everyday I would have gone with the 1926, which I still plan on getting someday.

Be aware with some of the hand/dial combinations with the 1926. In certain angles and light, the hands look like they disappear. I've mostly seen it with the black dial/silver hands.

 

For me I chose to go the Royal route as opposed to the BB as they are way too common.

 

The Tag Carerra 39s are light year's better than the Tudor's bracelet. Go try one on:

 

The Tag Carerra 39s are light year's better than the Tudor's bracelet. Go try one on:

View attachment 16390785

I wish Tag would release these in a 36mm case. They make quartz Carreras in that size. Always been a fan but 39mm would wear too large on me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

So I actually had the opposite experience of you. I was considering a 1926 and ended up with the BB36. I tried on the 36mm 1926 and loved the style (silver/white dial with gold hands) and loved the feel.

That being said, I wanted this to be my everyday watch. I found a few photos of well worn/beat up 1926's and IN MY OPINION, they did not age well as a well-worn watch. They almost have too classy of a look to be beat up. The BB36 looks great with it's scars (IMO).

Because of that alone, I went with the BB36

Edit: It looks like you were literally considering the exact same watches as I did. Gold handed 1926 or blue BB36. That's funny.

 

Do you still have said photos? Maybe they will make me change my mind too. Not only we considered the same watches, but apparently we also considered them for the same use.