Search for a £3000 watch.
I've posted previously about an inheritance coming my way and my desire to spend some of it on a watch. I was looking at used BB58's and Omega Seamaster 300's when I came across the Breitling - Premier B01 Chronograph 42mm. I wasn't considering a chronograph for around £3000 but this has me thinking 🤔 Is there a better chronograph for under £3000?
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Clive Barker
Old enough to remember normal sized watches. Wouldn't call myself a collector although I have a few. Recently reduced my collection considerably and enjoying what I have. I don't feel a need to add ma...
Doncaster, UK
Member since
Last active: 6 hrs ago
21.59 cm
I don’t know if it’s better but the Hamilton Intramatic chronograph is very similar, looks great and is less than that.
Are these still Valjoux movements inside? If so, there are plenty of cheaper options.
No, it is not a valjux, it is a great caliber, the B01 is the Column Wheel, 70 hours of power reserve and for $3,000 it is a great watch.
recommend checking longines big eye
By the way, it is the same caliber that comes with my Tudor Black Bay Heritage Chrono and the current Tudor Chrono Panda and Panda Reverso
Are these still Valjoux movements inside? If so, there are plenty of cheaper options.
No, that's the in-house B01 - vertical clutch, column wheel, top-notch chronograph. Absolute steal for 3k - typically they go for 6 or 7, I think
I don’t know if it’s better but the Hamilton Intramatic chronograph is very similar, looks great and is less than that.
The Hamilton is great - I have one - but the Breitling Premier is in a different league in terms of movement and finishing.
For 3k, nothing comes to mind outside of maybe a Longines. I typically think Breitling pricing is high, but 3k for what that watch offers is a solid deal I would wager.
The Tudor Chornograph uses the same movement for less when compared to the same year, plus it is a newer watch.
In terms of is there a better for £3000? Plenty of Speedmaster Pros and nons in that range, IWC Pilots, and all the micros you can think of. Are they better? Meh, that is debatable, but you have options.
If you are looking for a similar dressy style chronograph, I would recommend the Junghans Meister Chronoscope. Get the one you like the most, doesn't necessarily have to be the best one.
That Breitling remains one of my favourite models, always on semi permanent loan to my older daughter who enjoys wearing it when she is working with guys in a sea of Rolex Datejusts and a few steel subs. I bought my new but 3k for that movement, very smart choice.