I would avoid Breitling like the plague. My wife bought me one in 1996. Highly emotional sentimental value. I had it serviced a number of times over the years directly through breitling. Took it in recently for a repair. Keep in mind it's a mechanical chronograph. I got an email saying they could no longer get parts for my quartz watch. I brought the error to their attention and got another form letter that they could no longer get parts for an ETA movement. Somehow that doesn't seem possible. Breitling is decided they don't want to service their own watches. Imagine if you buy a Breitling today with all in-house movements and they refused to service it. Fortunately I had many other options for service on an ETA movement. I'm done with breitling.
I think people here misunderstand. You have a neo vintage Breitling QUARTZ watch. I think that is where the problem is. Movements for quartz watches like the Breitling Navitimer Jupiter are no longer made. Especially movements that were used in Breitling Plutons which used a Digi-analog movement. Once those have battery leaks there is no easy way to source a movement replacement which is what it will need. This would not be an issue with a MECHANICAL watch. There you will be able to service it in the future up to a certain degree. But that is the issue with all watches. Rolex for example will not service certain bubble back models because they no longer have the parts.
Great to hear you mention Sinn as it's a real tool watch with great specifications. Sinn also has the 356 in a copper guilloche dial which when you imagine buying with the Zenith el primero and the Tag Heuer carrera for a second hand Daytona the conversion becomes redundant.
Great video! I highly agree with the choices you made. Breitling with their contribution to chronographs, Heuer with their history in racing, Moonwatch is timeless, and the fact that the Daytona housed an El Primero movement for over a decade.
I, like many have grown incredibly tired of the Rolex game. Until I can walk in to a Rolex AD and pick out watch without waiting a year, I think I have bought my last Rolex. Breitling on the other hand is making some amazing new products. Georges Kern has made the brand a real powerhouse again. I had not bought a Breitling in about 12 year (Navitimer was my last) In the past couple of months I bought a Chronomat and a Superocean. I can’t stop wearing them. I have had more compliments on the two Breitlings than I have ever had on any of my Rolex watches. Great video!
Well said. I love my new super ocean, I bought the rubber strap for summer in addition to having the bracelet. My submariner just sits in the drawer at this point.
I own a Sinn 104 St with a blue dial on a leather strap and is one of my favorites on my watch box. Sinn watches is one of the best kept secrets "value for money" in the industry. Nice video guys, cheers!
$7K for Speedmaster with hesalite and closed caseback. Can pickup older model with 1861 mvmt even cheaper. No Tudor?? Most obvious alternative!! 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ I’d rather have the Breitling Premier with B09 manual wind or Navitimer
Getting my 1861 Speedy back. Can't wait.... would take that over any other chronograph. And compared to the new one these are almost half price...I just don't see a reason to buy the new one. And the bracelet pinches hair, which was a surprise when I tried one on recently.... so I'll wear mine on a strap anyway
It's a 200g, 15mm thick hunk of steel with minimal attention to quality control and the least wearable proportions I can think of. Spending $5500 to damn every saint every time you wear it is just torture.
The Sinn 356 dials are so beautiful, but 15mm thickness for the sapphire (15.6mm for acrylic) makes it look silly on the wrist. And Sinn knows it, which is why they don't post any photos showing the thickness.
Surprised that with zenith there was no mention of, or photos of the chronomaster sport. That model with the ceramic black bezel and white dial is extremely close to the aesthetic of Daytona
Great video guys. Do you suppose the name just reading "Heuer" on the dial leaving off the "TAG" might change the perspective of the watch for some in a more positive light?
I would say yes - considering that many pieces tag makes now don’t have it on the dial. I reckon the only reason LVMH doesn’t drop the tag name altogether is that the brand has a large presence to the non watch world world
I dont even want a daytona now because of the baggage.... purchased a JLC Chronograph recently. Looked at the Zeinth but didnt understand the 1/10th of a second gimic.
My next watch is the Omega Speedmaster Racing. And you don't have to spend 8 grand for one. The version I want, white dial and white subdials, can be had for ~$3,200-$4,000.
Really enjoyed this breakdown guys, nicely done. You’re upping your game, ‘and’. Another value play in the chrono world is any Grand Seiko Chrono, spring drive or high beat…. Vastly superior tech and value.
I don’t know if you guys have mentioned it yet but you should definitely check out the collection of Donald Glover’s character in Mr. And Mrs Smith. Definitely worthy of a mention on the channel. And the show is really good too.
Little less mainstream but would get a Breguet XX. Heritage like crazy, great size, flyback Chrono, easily half the price of a Daytona. Got a solid gold XX last year on gold bracelet for way less than pre-owned steel Daytona. Also, that Zenith chronomaster sport, gold, on strap, for less than 15K... Sexy.
The new gold speed masters are going for 40% retail. Unworn. The green dial moonshine full gold bracelet are going for $25k. Retail is $41k. Gold dial $5k higher
How are we not talking about the Bb chrono that has the same B01 inside Dollar for dollar better then the rest of the list at that price point and design
I would have picked the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph personally. While the dial is busy, it’s also unique the most unique and historic of the brand. Otherwise, definitely the Speedy is hands down the better chronograph of the bunch. Not biased because I have the 3861 hesalite… lol 😅
Unexpected choice with the Sinn 556 chronograph. I see that as maybe an alternative looking for an alternative to something like a Breguet Type XX. Truth be told, I’m not a Daytona guy, I’d choose a Speedmaster Pro over a Daytona just as a matter of personal style. I own a Zenith A385 Chronomaster Revival. The El Primero had to be on this list. The Originals based on the A386 are stunning too. El Primero, the vintage leaning ones are amazing. Easy choice. I hope they continue to return to that well.
The video was kinda a waste after both of you guys admitted people with Daytona money won’t buy anything else. I don’t know why people focus on the Daytona alternatives vs Speedmaster alternatives which there are a few you already suggested at less than £7500 IMO it’s a nice watch, a trophy piece. But I’m not in that bracket for a Chronograph watch, rather it be a dress watch
Sinn shoots themselves in the foot by, by and large, having most of their watches all brushed. I know they do some polishing, but it takes the sparkle out to not have part polish/part matte. I get that the aesthetic is that Sinn is no-nonsense, but still I think it doesn't make the watch feel as special as others.
Rolex Daytona wasn't even able to be given away by Rolex a few years back THEEEEEEEEN Mr Paul Newman's sold for over $17mil THEEEEEEEN the world thought they were the greatest watch Zenith ever created and the people believed every Daytona was worth $17mil
Surprised no AP chrono not this list. Pound for pound even if you’re potentially spending more for some references it is better. Especially compared vs the non-retail price of a Daytona, and given AP has come off decently in the secondary market. You’re getting something that has a much higher “perceived value” and getting more recognition for having something special within and outside of the watch community.
If I was gonna spend 25-30k on a chronograph, it would be a Universal Geneve Nina or Clapton. I find it beautiful and more interesting than the Daytona IMHO. Also, for 15k, I can get several great chronos, like the Sinn 356, Nivada Grenchen CASD, and have money left over.
I don't get what the deal is with Daytona. Rolex has some distinctly Rolex-y models but the Daytona looks exactly like every other chronograph from every other manufacturer. The Speedmaster looks like itself really so it is very distinct and that is a bonus. With prices skyrocketing, Speedmaster@$8,000? crazy, if you are on a budget, look for a Speedmaster Automatic. Massively cheaper, just as good, no hassle in winding it and better proportions.
Hype aside. Every one of these alternatives have parts of what you want from a Daytona but non compare. A Daytona is a critical clutch, automatic chronograph with 100m water resistance. 12.4mm thick and 39mm. The thickness of the Sinn is 15.6mm. Oof Tag is 14 mm thick. Speedmaster is 42 and 14. Something thick with only 50 meters of WR. Zenith comes the closest but non triple date has 4:30 date. Also thicker. Triple calendar is cool! 50 meters WR. The breitling?! 15mm thick and 42 mm. Forget Rolex clout. Zenith comes the closest I think but at the end of the day you are settling if what you have your heart set on is a Daytona. :)
Guys face the music. Most Daytona owners will most likely additionaly own manny of the alternative watches you mention by choice since money isn't much of an issue.
I use my chronograph multiple times every day and I actually almost never wear a watch without chronograph function unless for a special occasion. I use it for cooking, working out, timing breaks during work and a lot of other random moments when I just want to know how long something takes to do. For me it's the most useful tool on a watch, maybe even more useful than the time.
Thank you!!!! So true in everything you say, and yes, I believe the Zenith is a more important watch, horologically, than the BORING Daytona.....(Dont get me started on the "Value" of a Daytona)...Elephant in the room....lets say what we all thinking, the Daytona is for people that have money and want others to know they have money....its by a Marketing company that happens to make watches...... now to wait for all the Rolex fans to come at me with pitchforks and fire!!! EVEN Hans Wilsdorf said Rolex is a brand/marketing company...The Founder of Rolex said that! So........😉
Wonder if the Daytona would have the same status/cult following if it didn't have the "Newman" association/connection? I bet not! And personally, would go for Primero over a Daytona any day of the week.
Everything watch they listed suck. You know what I know cos none of them have one or would buy one. In their own collection Christian in particular. 42mm brietling? Come one mate you don’t wear anything other the 40mm down. Zero I mean zero chance you would ever buy it.
No one buys a rolex because it does anything mechanically, they buy it to show other people they have a Rolex. So an alternative doesn’t fit the bill and respectfully neither dies this video honestly 😂
Imho the new bracelet is a huge upgrade to the Speedy. Prices in watch market got insanely high in general.. But compared to other brands (IWC ingenieur...f.e.) omegas pricing is still okay...
Hey - I have a Daytona in my collection and I don’t represent any of those characteristics you described. I suspect your point of view could be generational. Best regards, Mr. Valjoux
Zenith Daytona beats the modern Daytona. It’s accurate, durable and readily available compared to new. I’d got with that over any of these. Also please stop saying “no brainer.” Especially when you are talking about an 8K Chronomat. Woof.
I love the design of the Daytona I really do but………..there is no way I would buy one on the grey market at almost twice list……nah, which does mean I will never get one, unless all of a sudden Rolex falls out of favour and they can’t sell them anymore. It could just happen. They sure have not done themselves any favours in recent years with their reputation and horror AD stories of treatment being talked about a lot.
Rolex Rolex Rolex, the other watches don’t compare it look nothing like the Daytona when you’re low when you see a Daytona, you recognize it right away nothing makes you feel good like a Daytona on your wrist
I don’t like that a Rolex is straight away recognizeable as a Rolex by everyone…it’s not for me and that is the main reason I would not buy a Daytona or any Rolex. But they do make nice watches…just not for me.
TLDR: The Daytona is a poor value prop at msrp and a terrible one at mkt prices. Here are a bunch of genuinely good chronographs that are more fairly priced, but ultimately who cares because people who want a Daytona won’t want anything else because they are hype obsessed and need the name brand recognition.
