photo teasers of new to me transocean and Navitimer 8

[shinynewbling25]

These pictures are more of an AR comparison. More of a review will be done later. Initial impressions are that these are both fantastic watches. I put the GF Avenger in the pictures for a comparison of a "gold standard". I have to say I'm impressed with the Navitimer 8. Not a lot of love here for it but it really has a dynamic dail I wasn't expecting. It goes from light grey to dark black with just the numbers popping. It's really kind of a warm tobacco sunburst color when light hits it then it mixes with the nice AR. I am a fan of it and the case style which is why I got it. The Transocean has a much deeper black dial. I thought the GF Avenger was ok in the AR department but these reps are just as good if not better. The hue is more blue and it really does reduce the glare better.

 

[pippo]

Thanks so much for sharing, always beneficial for all the RWI community!
42mm Navitimer might be my very first Breitling rep. I need a ss bracelet though, hopefully they will release it soon.

 

[optical]

Awesome stuff mate thanks for the pics really been hanging out for some user pics of these watches! They look great. Really wanted to hate the navitimer 8 and initially did, but to see it in normal pics it actually looks pretty damn cool!

I'm really interested in the transocean, looks really good, but seems so large compared to navi8. Looks pretty large for dress watch, not that it bothers me because I have large wrist.

What are you thoughts on the process overall?

 

[Thatwatchguy]

Great shots, looks like GF have some serious competition!

Looking forward to some pics of the transocean on the gen mesh when it arrives!

 

[DarqueBark]

Definitely good to know. Just curious, which one of those three is your personal favorite?

 

[Madcap]

looks nicer than i expected

 

[shinynewbling25]

Definitely good to know. Just curious, which one of those three is your personal favorite?

Well I wore them to work today, The Transocean in the morning before most people got there then the Navitimer 8 the rest of the day. I got to see them in a variety of indoor lighting including good "elevator lighting" or similar lighting to jewelry stores. I have to say the Navi 8 wins between the two for me. Don't know about the avenger yet. There's just a lot more for me to be interested in and it changes its look more depending on the lighting. That and the more wearable size. It actually reminds me of my tuxedo dial aerospace which has the arabic numerals and similar toned dial color scheme. Outdoor lighting I'm not so sure but I still think I like the Navi 8 better.

The navi 8 also looks and feels great on the strap. I think I will actually get a gen strap for it as I'm not sure how long the rep one will last. It is quite a thin strap. The transocean's strap sucks. Very plastic like. I will change that out which could make an impact but I'm leaning towards navi 8 and keeping on a leather strap for now. It looks that good to me on it and I'm mainly a bracelet guy with 90% of my watches on bracelets.


Both the transocean and navi8 are keeping almost identical time with about 20 seconds fast over 24 hours currently. The transocean does look like a higher end watch just in style not in quality. It's just a more sparkly, dressy, shiny look. If centered on the wrist from a top down direct view it doesn't wear that big as the lugs curve down and don't reflect a lot unlike the avenger gmt which has the broad lugs the make the case wear big from a top down look. I like the hands on the Navi 8. I'm actually quite enamored with it and don't want to take it off. There is a battle on hand against the navi 8, black dial avenger gmt and blue SOH.



I will definitely be taking pics of the transocean on mesh when it arrives. Looking forward to the weekend to get some good outdoor lighting pics as well to post.

 

[shinynewbling25]

here are some garbage pictures with my crappy phone for some size perspective but they didn't come out well.

 

[shinynewbling25]

And some case back goodness

 

[csthe]

Maybe I've missed it, but from where did you bought the mesh bracelet?

 

[Thatwatchguy]

Maybe I've missed it, but from where did you bought the mesh bracelet?

M2M...he picked it up from me.

 

[korky7]

I like the back of the navitimer better then the frt....haha. Looks like a nice rep just get to like the new style of breitling.

 

[shinynewbling25]

Went with this all weekend. Put on a much better strap that is super comfortable and it makes the watch for me. Such a great rep. It rained all weekend so no better natural lighting pictures. These pics don't show but that crystal is beautiful. Nice blue AR and invisible most of the time. Nice, thick vintage boxed edge type crystal. Makes the jet black semi gloss very faint sunburst hints dial and high polishted indicies and case just pop. I guess I like whatever watch I'm wearing at the moment though if this were a better size I could almost see me thinking about the gen. With a rep that feels this good it wouldn't be needed. This feels like the navi 8's big brother. Shiner, larger, more high end and more special but with less every day wear ability. It does wear better than the size and these pictures suggest but it's still large for a primarily all dial dress watch. Time to sit back and enjoy these for a bit before trying to decide the pecking order I tend to dwell on too much.

 

[Mrlicks]

That Transocean is starting to grow on me.
Great looking watch, for a smart occasion.
Good choice.

 

[slashFAslash]

Reviving this thread to ask if the Navitimer 8's bezel is rotatable to both sides with a smooth sweep. Does it feel solid and does it move by itself easily (involuntarily)?

Thanks!

 

[shinynewbling25]

Hey Slash, my Navitimer 8 bezel is firm and turns smoothly in either direction. It does not turn by itself. I also have two regular Navitimer reps. One is also super firm, almost too firm and the other slightly too easy but just a touch and may move rarely a tiny bit if enough contact is made (navi stratos made by lesser factory). It has not been a problem for me. I would say your chances are good that it will be fine and will be tight and zf makes a great rep.

 

[slashFAslash]

Hey Slash, my Navitimer 8 bezel is firm and turns smoothly in either direction. It does not turn by itself. I also have two regular Navitimer reps. One is also super firm, almost too firm and the other slightly too easy but just a touch and may move rarely a tiny bit if enough contact is made (navi stratos made by lesser factory). It has not been a problem for me. I would say your chances are good that it will be fine and will be tight and zf makes a great rep.

Thanks dude!

 

[shinynewbling25]

Thanks dude!

No prob. Also, I went back to the other navitimer to check the bezel (xf factory I believe) and it is stiff so not too loose like i was thinking. So all of my bi-directional bezels I've had with o-ring friction have been nice and tight. They seem to firm up over time as the lubrication ages. I hope you end up getting the watch as I like mine very much.

 

[neon_7]

great thread, thanks! Transocean is now on my list of watches to buy!!