Rolex vs Breitling: Which Watch is Best for You?

A very broad topic for two well-recognized luxury brands often considered when looking for a luxury watch from a well-known Swiss watchmaker. Many people wonder which one is better – Rolex vs Breitling. Both brands produce some really great watches, with unique features for activities such as deep diving and flying an airplane. That being said, in the case of Breitling vs Rolex, let’s find out what is the best brand for you.

Rolex vs Breitling: Which Brand is Better?

When it comes to the age-old dispute of Rolex vs. Breitling, each brand has its own set of strengths and legacies. Rolex, founded in 1908 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, is the world’s most-known Swiss watch brand. It has nearly 100% international brand recognition and is the number one most recognized Swiss brand in the world. Rolex’s trip began in London but ended in Switzerland in 1920, where it has resided ever since. The company is well-known for its numerous patents and significant developments in the field of watchmaking.

Breitling, founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling, is the world’s 10th most recognizable Swiss watch brand. While it is a notable luxury watch brand, it frequently trails Rolex in terms of public recognition. Léon Breitling left a legacy of innovative chronographs for industrial, military, and scientific uses. Gaston Breitling, his son, carried on the family tradition by developing one of the earliest wrist chronographs with pushers above the watch crown in 1915.

Willy Breitling led Breitling for nearly five decades until selling the company to Ernest Schneider in 1982, just two years before his death and two years before the brand’s centennial. Schneider, a watchmaker and pilot, was tasked with not just preserving the brand’s tradition but also pushing the frontiers of what was possible in watchmaking and flight.

Rolex Prices vs Breitling Prices

In terms of a pricing comparison of Rolex vs Breitling, Breitling Prices are substantially more affordable than Rolex. They start at less than half the price of a Rolex, but due to the outrageous demand for all types of Rolex, it is likely you could get a Breitling for 1/10 the price of a Rolex. With more affordable watches such as the men’s 45mm Breitling Colt Skyracer which is powered by a COSC certified Breitling SuperQuartz™ Caliber 74 movement for about $2,000. Their mechanically powered automatic watches Such as the Chronomat Colt Automatic 44mm Start at an MSRP of about $3,240. Breitling has quartz models which offer more precision and require less maintenance than mechanical watches.

In contrast to Rolex, generally does not manufacture quartz watches except for the Cellini line. They pride themselves on only manufacturing mechanical watches which are considered more prestigious by watch lovers and collectors around the world. However, in terms of pricing Rolex has an MSRP price that often starts at 2x the cost of a Breitling.

However, this is not reality. At the moment, the cheapest new Rolex would be the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm men’s watch which starts at about $6,000 followed by the Rolex Datejust 31mm ladies watches which cost only about $200 more. They use automatic calibers which are purely mechanical movements and are all COSC-certified chronometers. They also have the Superlative Chronometer designation.  

A great comparison would be the Rolex Oystersteel version of the Sky-Dweller vs the stainless steel Breitling Navitimer Chronograph 41. This pits the two aviator timepieces against each other. However, you could easily do the same comparison of Rolex vs Breitling if you chose to use the Rolex GMT-Master II which is also touted as an aviator watch. Of course, Rolex would end up with worse results if you compared its only Chronograph the Daytona vs the Chrono Breitling because of the craze for Daytona timepieces today.

The Rolex Sky-Dweller lists for $14,800 vs $6850 for the Breitling. Certainly, the components in the Breitling chronograph would suggest that it should cost more than the more simplistic Sky-Dweller, but it is literally half the price. However, it would be unlikely to find the Sky-Dweller for less than $29,000 in today’s market. So, Breitling wins hands down on cost. You can get a superlative timepiece for approximately a 76% discount.

Rolex or Breitling: Which Holds Value Best?

There is a direct correlation though between the value of a brand, the recognition of a brand, and the resale value. While there are some watches that have high resale value for other reasons such as the rarity or iconic status of a watch; as a general rule, the better the brand the more you’ll get back when trying to sell it. However, in terms of the percentage of what you originally paid for a Rolex or Breitling versus what you can sell it for, you will usually get more when reselling your Rolex watches compared to reselling your Breitling watch.

However, it depends on what you can buy the timepiece for, what condition the timepiece is in, and whether you have the papers and other items that came with the original purchase. If you overpay for a Rolex timepiece, you are less likely to recoup your cost if you resold it years later. Also, certain brands of Rolex are not as popular as others. If you want a Rolex that truly holds its value, consider a Daytona, Submariner, or GMT-Master.

Generally, Breitling timepieces will hold their value over time, but will gradually lose value. However, it does take some time for a Breitling to lose any value and it is possible for a rather new Breitling to be valued higher than its original purchase price.

The pro of purchasing a Breitling watch, is that have a reputation for being a very professional watch like the Breitling Navitimer 01 which is designed for aeronauts such as pilots, astronauts, military personnel, search and rescue operations, and more. Breitling has a watch called the Breitling Emergency with a distress beacon and locator which is great if emergencies arise. In addition, Breitling offers a few smartwatches such as the Exospace B55 watches which are smartwatches designed with special smart features for pilots and aerospace professionals.

Breitling also offers several different rubber strap options available and you can have a rubber strap on any watch of theirs. Whereas for now, Rolex only has a few rubber strap options found in the Yachtmaster series and has a few Rolex Daytonas on a rubber strap. If you are looking for a great watch for great value, which will not lose value in the short term, Breitling is your go-to brand.

However, if you are looking to enter the hottest market in the world and invest in a timepiece that is likely to go up in value over time, Rolex is the way to go. However, make sure you don’t overpay for Rolex and keep your paperwork.

Pros and Cons of Buying Rolex vs Breitling

It is important to understand what your goals are when you are investing in a timepiece. If you have the money and you are an investor, Rolex is right now on an absolute tear in the market. It is not unlikely that a Rolex in hand is worth more than what you originally paid for it.

Getting your hands on a coveted Rolex is difficult, and it is even harder to find one for a discounted price. Demand is way higher than the supply, and although it seems that this might go on forever, there is a good chance that there may be a pullback and a buying opportunity in the future. If you don’t have $30,000 to spare, and to potentially lose, then Rolex is probably not the timepiece for you.

If you are looking for a smart-looking and complex timepiece that is manufactured at the highest standards and can be purchased for under $10,000 and worn without much worry, Breitling is the brand to consider. Breitling will hold its value well, but will probably not increase in value much over the years. It is still quite a timepiece to give to your heirs or as gifts to loved ones, without breaking the bank.

So, which is the superior brand: Rolex vs Breitling?

While Breitling has a longer history, Rolex comes out on top in this comparison. This can be credited in large part to Rolex’s superb marketing and vast contributions to the field of horology. Personal preferences, however, play a vital influence in deciding between these two legendary brands. Rolex is renowned for its expertly built timepieces, which are frequently recognized as tool watches developed with specific functions in mind.

The Submariner, for example, is a premium diver’s watch in Rolex’s portfolio, with Deep-Sea and Sea-Dweller models for even deeper dives. Rolex is unrivaled in the field of diving tool watches. Breitling, on the other hand, has its own line of aviator tool watches, making it the favored choice for those looking for precision in aviation timepieces.

Finally, if you’re looking for a diving tool watch, Rolex is the clear victor. However, if you want a pure aviator tool timepiece, Breitling is the superior choice. Finally, the decision between Rolex and Breitling comes down to your precise requirements and personal tastes in a luxury timepiece.

Rubber B Manufactures the Finest Rubber Straps for Breitling and Rolex

However, Rubber B, leader in the Luxury Watch Industry offer an alternative rubber strap brand featuring the legal mold marking “swiss made” in their rubber. 

Rubber B has succeeded in engineering a precise design that harmonizes with every esthetic boundary of an intended watch’s design. This allows owners to have the flexibility and comfort of a rubber b strap, without compromising the classic, distinctive beauty that their watch and clasp represent.

Rubber B products open the door for athletes, divers, outdoor enthusiasts, and individual luxury watch owners of watches such as Rolex vs Breitling amongst other luxury brands; who are looking for a unique, comfortable alternative to their metal bracelets, leather bands, and Nato straps.

Below you can view the diversity of designs and colors offered by Rubber B, 100% waterproof and 100% rubber, all Swiss-made.

Visit Rubber B’s social channels @rubberb_official @rubber_b_fanpage or #rubberb on Instagram, for a diversity of Rolex and Brietling Rubber B straps.

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