Brietling and Rolex are foreign; Bulova was founded and still is headquartered here, in the US. Also, Bulova opened a school post WWII that was exclusively aimed at training disabled vets in watchmaking so they could reintegrate back into the workforce despite their disability. And, my priorities are different. When I start pulling more senior JO pay I will consider one of the above.
Well unless Citation3 will duke me his old PC sim gear I don't have the HW to fly the Dirty Diamond formation in my bedroom.....so the Citizens Skyhawk is out. From a functionality standpoint all I really want is a rugged, uncluttered chronograph with a second time zone, date and pilots bezel. I'd like it to be wareable everyday (work or play) like my Tags were. I only have about $4k max to spend on this particular watch. It needs to be a new watch. I spent the last few days in stores trying on watches and researching on-line. Among others I looked at Rolex, Brietling, Omega, Hamilton, Bremont, Fortis, Tag, and Bell & Ross. My dad still wears the Rolex he bought in Hong Kong in 1953 so I've always wanted one. That said to even get close to the functions I want in this watch, Rolex is too much money. I very seriously looked at Brietling but IMHO their new lines are either slightly too much bling for my taste (chrome numbers, polished cases/bracelets, textured faces etc) or too expensive. Brietling's Colt Chronograph II is close but I don't like the bezel. Something from Brietling is still in the game. What I really like and will probably buy is one of the Sinn's that was mentioned earlier in the thread. ( http://www.sinn.de/en/Instrument_Chronographs.htm ) Sinn's 757 UTC looks like it may be it. I haven't tried one on and I'm a bit concerned that it could too big and heavy for everyday. It has a 43mm case that is 15.5mm thick. That to me is right on the edge of being too big for a 7.25 in. wrist. It's pretty heavy too at 111 grams without the bracelet. Their 103 Ti Ar UTC is a close second. It's case is smaller and much lighter (but thicker) at 41mm, 17mm and 69 grams. It's slightly more cluttered and maybe just a bit more dressy. I'm gong to pull the trigger on something this week I think. 757 UTC
FWIW, I got an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean and it was also a bit heavy at first. You get used to it. You might want to check out Hamiltons as well. They have a few that might suit your needs.
When you go in the West Gate, make a left at the "V" (at the T-34 on a stick). A few hundred yards down on the right, you'll see a Phrog and a Buckeye sitting on concrete pads. Park, and enter the building on the east side of the Buckeye. Inside, you will find the cure to what ails ya.
In the sober light of day I wll state that I own two Omegas in addition to my Breitlings and Rolex. They're great watches. Bulova, Hamilton, Swiss Army, Tags - they good watches but not on the caliber of Omega, Breitling or Rolex. Sinns is close and the UTC is a nice model. Rocketman - don't be afraid to look at used high end automatic / manual watches. One that's just had a full factory service for all practical purposed is a new watch. Any parts that were worn and hands will have been replaced, it will have been completely disasembled and cleaned, the base and bracelet (if metal) will have been polished and it would have left the service center with at least a one year warranty. If you can't find one recently serviced, many times you can find one whose asking price is low enough it make it worth buying and sending it for the service yourself. The services aren't cheap ($400+ depending on model) but they will make it a new watch for half the price of buying new. Just beware of buying used online or via ebay - there are many counterfeit watches being sold.
What is the general consensus on the Breitling Emergency? Based on how its marketed it sounds like the greatest thing a NA/NFO could have on their wrist, but I'm sure there is someone who has an alternative viewpoint. I heard rumors that the emergency frequency is no longer being monitored and was never that effective to begin with. That being said, I've met a former NA who wore one when flying and apparently so do a lot of others. I know its not an automatic and its definitely not the greatest looking thing Breitling makes, just wondering what those who have been in the seats think about it as a functional flying watch.
I've always viewed the Emergency as a gimmick watch. It's very low power and will not trigger any of the autlomatic monitors, if they are still listening on 121.5. It's been out of production for a few years but Breitling is suppled to have a new version out in 2013 or 2014 with a prototype to be shown soon. It's going to use 406mhz vice 121.5. The one he was wearing didn't do Steve Fossett any good.
Thanks for the info - I always thought it would be better to have something like it instead of nothing at all, but if there is a newer version coming out in a year or two that works better, it would make sense to wait and see what its capable of.
Yes, as of 3 years ago, there is no longer automatic reporting of a beacon on 121.5 or 243.0. There were too many false alarms. The 406 beacons all have an ID number that is transmitted. The user should register this with his address and phone number. There is also the ability to include GPS location data in the beacon. The old beacons required a long satellite pass by a satellite to pick up enough Doppler data to get a fix within 20 miles. The 406 beacons also have longer batter life because it transmits only once every 72 seconds.
I just ordered the C-17 Limited Edition- I'll have a review posted in about 2 months when I get the watch if anyone's interested
That's awesome. I'm itching for a Bremont as my dress watch later on. We shall see if it bumps Omega as my favs
For anyone to cheap to pony up the $60K for the CONA astronaut watch. Who here will be rocking this hunk of steel? As a privileged partner of aviation, Breitling enjoys long-established associations with the greatest professionals and flight teams on the planet – including the prestigious TOPGUN flying school, the US Navy tactics instructor program. In a meeting held at the NAS Fallon, Nevada base, TOPGUN members unanimously decided to signal their exclusive cooperation with Breitling through the creation of a limited edition bearing their insignia. This Chronomat 44 chronograph, produced in a worldwide 500-piece limited edition and equipped with a 100% Breitling high-performance movement, features a blue dial in the US Navy colors carrying the authentic logo of the “United States Navy Fighter Weapons School” – the official TOPGUN name. The engraved caseback displays the same logo, accompanied by the limited-edition number. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this exceptional instrument will be donated to a charity selected by the TOPGUN cadre.
Two of the best Special Edition Breitling watches ever produced. These two are going to be featured in an upcoming watch magazine article on Special Edition military watches. Look for them on news stands later this summer.
Well, my Bremont came in the mail a few weeks ago, and I'm quite impressed. It's my first "nice" watch, and my gift to myself after my aircraft commander upgrade. The Z time and time zone bezel are awesome for the kind of flying I do. In the short time I've owned it, it has crossed all 24 time zones as well as crossed the equator- good times. Definitely a huge step up from my Citizen Skyhawk.
Okay, bros...no shit...where do I have to go, or who do I have to talk to in order to "get in line" for one of the Tomcat watches?
While I have an inexplicable, burning lust for an Omega, I'm curious what makes the Bremont so much better that the Skyhawk. Neither one has a battery to replace, both have 2 timezones at a glance, and the Skyhawk has features like 2 alarms and date in multiple timezones that the Bremont lacks. My TACCO and I have this debate every few flights or so. He owns 3 Breitlings and claims they are superior because they will outlast my Skyhawk. I always counter with "But I could by 15 Skyhawks for what 1 Breitling cost, and that's not counting all the $500 rebuilds you'll need over the years to keep it running."
How about this one? It's an automatic movement versus quartz (i.e. a real watch). Limited addition of 500. I can pm you the name of a Breitling authorized dealer that might be able to get you one at a good price.
