Breitling Chronomat 36.
I continue my story.
After buying an Explorer and realizing that they don't suit me for every day, I freaked out and decided to sell everything I had, except of course Moonwatch, which I don't wear and keep as a museum exhibit.
So, within a few months, I sold GS quartz SBGX261 and GS Sakura SBGA413. Surprisingly, there was no demand for the Rolex Explorer 1, serviced, in perfect condition and at an adequate price! Maybe the size of 36mm is not the most popular. It was strange for me.
I continued searching for the perfect watch for every day, but now the main criteria were: luxury brand with history, date and size 36-39mm. Omega Aqua Terra 38mm was ideally suited for these parameters, but they were very hard to find, and the price of new ones in my opinion is not justified. I don't understand why Aqua Terra is more expensive than Seamaster.
Thus, I came across a watch that almost no one talks about. They are insanely beautiful, with the right size, with a 6 o'clock date, a reliable ETA 2892 COSC caliber, from a very cool brand. This watch was a Breitling Chronomat 36mm.
I don't understand why Breitling classifies this model as female, but for women 36mm is far from the most popular size, and for most men they are probably too small. I managed to find them only in one boutique in Abu Dhabi, where I was just going on vacation. I booked them by phone and they immediately agreed on a 15% discount. In addition to the watch, I was also given gifts and this experience of buying a watch was the most pleasant for me!
I fell in love with Chronomat 36 at first sight. They have covered absolutely all my needs. My wife also admitted that this is the most beautiful watch I've ever had. My friends, watch enthusiasts, also unanimously approved of my choice. I was happy and that was the end of my story. But over time, there were two disadvantages in this perfect watch that I could not live with.
The first disadvantage is the crown. It is catastrophically small! I don't have the biggest thumbs in the world, but even I was very uncomfortable starting, setting the date and time.
The second is the bracelet. Very beautiful, but the butterfly clasp is the most disgusting thing that can be! Because of it, it was impossible to adjust the bracelet exactly to the wrist. It was either too small for me or too big.
The pursuit of the perfect watch on a daily basis turned out to be much more difficult than I thought, because such a watch simply does not exist! Everyone has some disadvantages.
With this mood, I sold Breitling and began to look further. To be continued!
Zaurbeg
I’d suggest trying a Rolex Datejust blue dial with fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet with easy link clasp (5mm adjustment on the run). Has the vibes of this Breitling but a comfy bracelet.
I am a long time Breitling watch wearer, my first Chronomat was actually fitted with the 80s era bullet style bracelet which needed to be adjusted by the seller’s watchmaker but was comfortable. I liked the robust watches so much that I bought a smaller manual wind model for my wife, it also was fitted with a appropriately sized bullet style bracelet with no issues. I have not tried the re launch bracelet that Breitling is presently marketing but suspect the sizing will be tricky but not impossible should I decided to revisit a favourite design. Presently my wife who favours watches either 36, 38 or even 41mm in the case of her Tudor BB Ceramic watch uses OEM fabric or nato style straps which conform to her slender wrist despite wearing larger timepieces. Hopefully you are successful in finding the perfect daily watch. Good luck with that event. I feel your pain with a small crown, the crown on my Omega DSOM is tiny and a nuisance to set. I enjoy the watch too much to abandon it but will be vigilant of that negative design.
The perfect watch for everyday………. Well I could recommend the superocean as I have one and it wears very well, it is legible and a good robust Toolwatch, the strange thing is though I have found an everyday watch that I have to force myself to stop wearing and it’s one of the cheapest divers out there ( BTW I’m a diver fan if you hadn’t guessed already 😂) my watches tend to be circa 40mm so I’m not sure wether this size is good for you.
The other big thing is it’s quartz and for years I was against any non mechanical watch.
It is remarkably well made at its price point and talking of that ……… less than £60 gbp.
I am of course talking about the Duro and apologies if this is a repeated message but it’s a superb option for the everyday wearer!
Part 8?? I've gotta start following this account! 😊
Winner, especially with that Rolleaux bracelet.