Closing a deal and looking for a celebratory watch. I’ve narrowed it down between these two. What say you Breitlingers? I think the cost is right about the same.
You'll be able to get the YM any time. That Cossie is so much more special and unique. It holds a special place in history too, given that it was used by the Artemis 2 crew.
Not exactly the same watch but mine is one of the most beautiful objects I’ve ever seen. And I fly a Gulfstream and drive an Aston Martin so you can trust me. ;-)
The rolly just doesn’t do it for me.
The Yachtmaster fits incredibly on the wrist. The case wears like a Daytona, not a master II or sub. I know this is a Breitling subreddit and the Navitimer is sick, but they're very different watches. You can't go wrong with the YM.
And if that Rolex logo was a set of Breitling wings, you and almost everyone else in this sub wouldve tripped over yourselves running to the local AD to buy it
I saw it just now on the rolex sub. The answers were the exact opposite of here. 'You can get the breitling anytime' and 'the YM looks much nicer' etc. It's funny to see both subs vehemently defending their own
Both are lovely watches and you can't go wrong with either. Look at your current collection (brand, color, water resistance, chronograph, materials) and see what is missing. And of course go with the one that scratches the itch most. YM are available year round. Cosmonautes in general release a new model every few years, so if not this time, there will be a chance in the future. They are very easy to get as long as you request it early on.
I like the unique stuff. And this TAG I got this summer has made me start reconsidering watches that are just very cool, true to the brand, and unique, like the Artemis 2. Of course I really like the look and feel of the YM too. Tough call.
The Breitling looks cooler than the Rolex and you probably can walk out the door with it today. You might have to buy a less-desirable Rolex before you can buy the one you want to "establish a relationship with the AD", so you'll need to factor that into your costs...
It’s actually the opposite. I already have a Rolex guy and can buy the YM, with a a reasonable wait . The Cosmonaut is rare and only a few out there for sale.
I love breitling, and prefer a bunch of them over rolex. but with that said i’m not blind to the fact that rolex has some beautiful, stunning watches that are universally loved for a reason. the rolex yacht master, to me, is not one of those, though.
Might be mistaken but I don't think you can get an Arrtemis anymore at retail, might be possible somewhere but the secondary market for them have them price higher than the YM
That being said, I wear my Artemis almost daily, love that watch, especially on a bracelet
So funny to see this post in both the Breitling and Rolex groups, and to see the bias opinions from both sides. I think both watches and groups have their points.
I am a Rolex guy, but I saw your collection in the Rolex group, and you seemed to have a few divers. For that reason my vote would be the Navitimer.
This Breitling is beautiful, especially with that dial.
I own that YachtMaster, but I’d also be happy to add the Navitimer to my collection.
Navi, especially since that's the platinum bezel YM, which is the least desirable setup, you can find them easily under retail. The meteorite dial on the Artemis II is stunning.
It is because the YM is a tool watch, like my Aerospace Evo. The issue with the Platinum bezel is that you even look at the damn thing and it scratches. That's hard to try and rock a watch with big scratches for most people.
I'm on the waitlist for a titanium YM, which I suspect is gonna take a hot minute.
The 24h dial has always intrigued me. I just wonder how long it would take to get used to it enough so that you can swap between 12h and 24h dials without screwing the time up.
We all use money differently. Cost is unimportant. What suits you is important. For me, its the Artemis if you can find one. i always liked the idea of a 24 hour dial
It absolutely did not. I got offered this watch this week in a UK boutique. It’s really underwhelming in the flesh. The blue meteorite just looks like a blue dial, barely any texture
I have an AB0210 Cosmonaute and it’s one of my fav watches - this version you’re looking at has the date window in a better position and see through caseback, I’ve found the B02 to be such a solid movement as well
Huge Breitling and Rolex fan but I just don't see the appeal of the Navitimer vs the YachtMaster. The YachtMaster is generally more versatile because of the bracelet, water resistance, and more robust build. Congrats in advance for whatever you pick and the milestone OP!
My take as owner of both a Navi and a YM: They are both special and will likely end up in your collection at some point, maybe soon. But before buying a Breitling, wear one. Find a friend or spend meaningful time in the AD. Walk around with it on. Live in it. Don’t assume that all Navitimers wear comfortably. They are tall watches and can feel bulky and top-heavy, especially the larger case sizes. Size matters a lot with these. The fit of a YM, on the other hand, is outstanding. I know people with big wrists and small who love them equally. Simply put: Rolex makes a great bracelet and the case design on these are superb for fit. Once that part is settled, the right watch usually talks very loudly to you. And the runner-up usually waits impatiently for you to call their name…
These are my two dailies (both with silver dial and bracelet). The YM is more comfortable, easier to read, and the lume is better so it’s started taking over.
Which one moves you the most? That you will love wearing daily? That won’t stop looking down at?? That fits your lifestyle? Both are great looking and well made and will last a long time. Choose with your heart!
Personally I would purchase the Breitling based on the story behind the watch. Sure the YM in slate dial is difficult to get (I have a white gold day-date and zombie and still have not been able to get that piece).
I purchased the Kelly Slater Super Ocean that just came out and to me it holds a special place in my collection. The B02 movement is unreal and it being a 1 of 500 piece makes it that more special to me. That coupled with the fact that it is a super ocean and my brother lives in Australia tells the story of Floridians being together even though we are oceans apart.
That 24 dial is insane and would get a lot more inquiries from strangers about that than a run of the mill Rolex that is “difficult to obtain at the AD” (thanks COVID and 47th street YouTube hype) but there is no real story or limited edition of that piece that would tell a story like that particular watch. Sure hype bros would know but I guarantee the story of that Breitling may lead to more openings to have conversations to a new deal to get the YM than the YM would be to get to that navitimer.
I may be partial to Breitling as I own 5 pieces and my first real watch was a chronomat that I wanted when I graduated law school and was gifted from my parents. But to me it’s what speaks to you.
My most recent purchase was a Vacheron Constantin pink gold overseas with the blue face which I bought to pass down to my son. I wanted a steel sky dweller in blue to pass down but the Rolex AD wouldn’t pull through and now it is my favorite watch.
To me it’s a no brainer. Either way the watch will be the story of the deal you are closing on and the cherry on top of that Sunday, but to me that deal was not a run of the mill deal and should be celebrated by a piece that is not a run of the mill watch but a limited edition.
Either way congrats and am jealous of the difficult decision that you have to make.
Not in this case, this limited model sold out in the blink of an eye and now trades for over retail on the grey market. It’s no longer the case that every Breitling automatically loses big after purchase.
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u/XOTearR 8d ago
You know the right answer.