Hello all, new to the rep watch world, so asking some fairly basic questions, sorry if they have already been asked and answered. I have read through the forum FAQ as well as all the stickied topics at the top of this forum. Wanted to summarize what I've learned so far to see if I'm on the right track in getting in to the game, and doing it correctly, so any feedback would be much appreciated.
I have always been a fan of Breitlings, so it makes sense for me to start my foray in to the replica world in this area. Currently I own a gen Montbrillant Legende in rose gold, and really like the style, classic or simple and clean. The goal is to get something similar, and maybe swap out the strap for leather, either a white face with brown leather or black face with black leather. I have big hands and an average wrist size, so tend to like watches that are 42+.
It seems like Navitimers are the most available rep style that fits my aesthetic, so have been on the hunt for either the B01, 1884 Chronometre and Transocean Day and Date (if available). Was told that JF is still making Datoras too so may see if it can be sourced by a TD once I choose one. A couple of questions:
I have always been a fan of Breitlings, so it makes sense for me to start my foray in to the replica world in this area. Currently I own a gen Montbrillant Legende in rose gold, and really like the style, classic or simple and clean. The goal is to get something similar, and maybe swap out the strap for leather, either a white face with brown leather or black face with black leather. I have big hands and an average wrist size, so tend to like watches that are 42+.
It seems like Navitimers are the most available rep style that fits my aesthetic, so have been on the hunt for either the B01, 1884 Chronometre and Transocean Day and Date (if available). Was told that JF is still making Datoras too so may see if it can be sourced by a TD once I choose one. A couple of questions:
- Seems like dealer to dealer, the reps are going to be based on manufacturer, so if puretime or intime each have a B01 from JF, they'll be the same watch, correct? The important factor in actual make would be related to the factory of origin, as I understand it.
- A lot of the stickied topics in this forum are from a number of years ago, so just wondering how much changes from year to year. I have read through some of the previous posts and it seems like GF had become the best source for Breitling reps up until late last year, but has recently made a resurgence? How is BP's record for Breitlings?
- I'm leaning towards PureTime, InTime, or ChazingTime for my TD options, but wanted to know how I would be able to find GF versions of the Navitimer, seems like all I see are JF (PureTime) or BP (ChazingTime) at the moment, and is there even a big difference between the manufacturers I should be aware of currently? Also, would it be acceptable for me to just choose a TD, and then reach out to see if they can source what I'm looking for instead of scouring each of the TD websites for available offerings?
- On PureTime, does the "date added" make a difference? Is it related to the versions of the reps in some way? Are the most recently added reps superior in design to the older versions?
- Navitimer 01: PureTime has what I think is an updated rep since it's dated as of April 2019, which was discussed on a recent thread so I'm generally aware of the differences compared to the gen.
- Transocean Day and Date: PureTime has one that looks very similar to gen, not sure what the major differences are here.
- 1884 Chronometre: ChazingTime has one but not sure what the community consensus is compared to the gen. Seems to me like there are a lot of differences, which makes me think the rep version I'm looking at may not be an apples to apples comparison and could be a different model.
- Haven't found anything by way of Montbrillant out there yet.