Timelords, steady your nerves a second and prepare for a brutal brawl between two major luxury brands to ever walk this earth. 

And you bet your bottom, pound, dollar and peso Chrono Hunter’s ringside for this momentous occasion. In the red corner, founded in 1884 is Breitling, noted for its pilot inspired Chronomat, deep sea diving Superocean and of course the Navitimer. Slide rule bezel anyone?

In the blue corner stands a heavyweight titan and a God among men… Rolex. The Muhammed Ali of watchmaking brands, their hard hitting hits take in the legendary Daytona, pilot influenced Sky-Dweller and the blueprint for all dive watches, the Submariner.

Heck, they have not rested on their laurels, after every new Rolex released this year, featuring the Land-Dweller complete with Dynapulse to a baying crowd. The 1908 is so 2023.

Rolex looks fresh and ready to throw blows while Breitling is a stalwart with a history of knockout models. So which Swiss brand will emerge victorious? Referee, it’s time to ring that bell. 

Seconds out…

 

History And Brand Reputation

Since 1884, Breitling has been at the forefront of luxury watches, ranging from pilot inspired timepieces like the Avenger to the deep sea in the shape of the Superocean. Founded in Saint-Imer, Switzerland, they have been under the careful watch of Partners Group since 2022. 

What was once a family owned business from 1884 to 2017, they have moved from CVC to Partners Group, but that doesn’t keep them down. After all, this is the company with more innovation than a Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication, which sold at auction for around £20.8 million.

Want to find out more about this and other pricey timepieces? Read our guide to the most expensive watches.

Willy Breitling 

 

The Grenchen brand has led the charge on the chronograph complication, one of the most established and used functions in the industry. In 1915, they released watches with chronograph complication, prompting them to release start and stop functions in 1923, allowing users to time successive events without having to reset the registers.

This evolved again with the creation of a second push piece located at 4 o’clock so that the stopwatches would be reset. If you haven't noticed, this is the norm for chronographs today!

Rolex matches the meteoric rise of Breitling… And overtakes it with a cherry on top. Founded in 1905, it remains an independent name, residing under the Hans Wilsdorf Trust. While this frustrates horophiles as we can’t see the gory details such as value and sales figures, it gives them an edge of creativity that not many other companies can match. 

Originally based in London before moving to Geneva, Switzerland to avoid tax, they don’t need to rely on the Genta’s or the Kurt Klaus’ of this world. Instead, Hans Wilsdorf was his very own genius. 

Originally releasing the Oyster Perpetual in 1926, it was the first ever waterproof and dustproof wristwatch. His vision of watches which needed no alterations swiftly became the banner for all future releases.

Hans Wilsdorf 

 

Even before that in 1910, they received the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, and four years later earned the first ever class “A” precision certificate from Kew Observatory for standard wristwatches in 1914. 

Hold on a tick. Sure, they are well set when it comes to innovation. But Breitling is not a bland brand either. After all, in 1967, Jack Heuer came to them in order to produce the first self-winding chronograph. Narrowly beaten by Zenith’s El Primero calibre in 1969, they released the Calibre 11 which became a staple in TAG Heuer’s Monaco and the Chrono-Matic lines.  

They are a company that's adorned by every kind of wearer. Covering Hollywood glitterati like Brad Pitt who wears a platinum AVI 765, Adam Driver and his Navitimer 8 Chronograph as well as Erling Haaland with his Chronomat GMT, they cover footballers, movie stars and every kind of wearer in between.

Rolex may be the victor in this niche however. As they are so collectable and desirable they have a sure fire following such as musician John Mayer, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, LeBron James and DJ Khaled. 

The latter owns a host of oh so coveted watches, including the Daytona Eye Of The Tiger and one of the rarest of them all…the hotly sought after Daytona Rainbow. His collection alone stretches into the millions of pounds. 

Can’t stretch to DJ Khaled’s budget? Consider our feature on the ultimate watch collection under £60,000.

Many high profile celebs have already built up premium timekeeping portfolios to outperform one another with resale value off the charts. While Breitling may have spearheaded the chronograph, Rolex has the history and the brand reputation that would comfortably surpass most brands. 

We award the history and brand reputation round to Rolex

 

Design And Craftsmanship: Breitling vs Rolex

Sure, Breitling is famed for their chronograph innovation. But what about their design prowess? It appears they are experts in this field too! 

They were responsible for Breitlight which is a material that's 5.8 times lighter than steel and 3.3 times lighter than titanium…and it’s as hard as nails (well almost) Take for example the Avenger Hurricane 12H 45 which comes with a fantastic fabric strap for excellent comfort.

Plan Les-Ouates - Source - Newsroom

 

Outside of using patented materials, they only use the exceptional precious metals and high grade steels such as 18K red gold, platinum and two tone cases like The Superocean Heritage ‘57 Highlands, adopting both steel and 18K red gold cases. 

Perhaps Rolex is the ultimate name when it comes to pristine craftsmanship and demand more than the latest iteration of the Moonswatch. Solely using their own foundries, they have a range of patented components that have cemented their watches as durable and highly luxurious. 

They use Oyster Steel which is a high performance 904L steel that they have used since 1985. Think that’s all? We are just getting started. They developed Chromalight which offers the best level of luminescence possible and they have RLX titanium, a special form of grade 5 titanium providing optimal durability. 

They have their own 18K yellow gold elements, produced at their foundry based at Plan Les-Ouates in Geneva while Everose gold is their specific pink gold alloy blending 75% gold and 20% copper with hints of palladium in the cases. 

Suffice to say, the famed green seal that comes with the watches is an indication of the high-quality timepieces.

AOPA - Source - AOPA

 

On the other hand, Breitling’s lines like the Chronomat, released in 1984, follow the original blueprint of the first two-pusher chronograph wristwatches, named the Chronomat from 1940. 

So is there one timepiece to rule them all? Perhaps the most iconic watch in their stable is the Navitimer.

In 1952, the Navitimer was released to appease the US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and it became the first to feature a slide rule bezel, a critical tool in performing various calculations relating to speed and distance. And in 2023, they introduced a special edition novelty, marking the end of the legendary Boeing 747 after half a century of ruling the skies. 

Want to know more? Enjoy our review of the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Boeing 747.

While they have a solid range of materials and innovative lines like the Sky-Dweller, Rolex is the top brand concerning its materials, desirability and more renowned pieces. From the energetic racing spirit of the Daytona to the Submariner and Oyster Perpetual, they are simply too prominent a figurehead.  

Sorry Breitling. This round once again goes to Rolex.

 

Most Popular Watches: Breitling vs Rolex

Breitling are noted for their extensive range of collections which covers pilots, diving, luxury sports watches and even dress timepieces. So, when we say you’re going to have a “Top Time”, we really do mean it!

The Top Time was introduced in 1964 following the initial designs from 1962. The collection is designed to combine both chronograph functionality with the option of choosing a tachymetric scale, pulsometer scale or decimal scale, suiting all manner of lifestyles. But this watch is more than a utility piece… 

A 1965 edition, reference 2002 Venus 188, was worn with a leather strap by James Bond in the film Thunderball. Originally customised with a Geiger counter, it was discovered at a car boot auction and bought for a princely sum of £25. It later sold at auction in 2013 for around £104,000.

Top Time B21 Chevrolet Corvette - Source - Breitling

 

In the modern era, they are available in a range of materials like steel, gold and ceramic cases with some snappy racing inspirations taken from classic motor vehicles like the Ford Thunderbird and B01 Triumph. How about the Top Time B21 Chevrolet Corvette with brown leather strap that’s crafted out of ceramic and features a walnut burl style dial? You know they vintage vibe it up to the max.

Sadly, we don’t have enough time to go through the best Rolex watches of all time. With a list as long as the number of iterations found within the Omega Seamaster lineup. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a timepiece with enough luxury and style to make John Mayer look vanilla, we recommend the 1908. 

This delicious dress piece incorporates the classic 1931 Oyster Perpetual designs with a very modern silhouette. Step back in time with this in your wrist and it’ll be a dinner party starter conversation before you quaff your first glass of bubbly. 

1908 - Source - Rolex

 

Available in yellow or white gold cases, black or white dials and comfortable leather straps, the matte style finish allows the combined Arabic and baton numerals to be promoted alongside the small seconds indicator at 6 o’clock. The 1908 in yellow gold at retail was priced at £19,300 upon launch. 

If the minimalist luxury of the 1908 isn’t tickling you pink and you seek more complexity, we recommend the pilot inspired Sky-Dweller. Released at Baselworld in 2012, the Sky-Dweller watches represent the epitome of their complicated catalogue. Representing the first annual calendar from the company, the Sky-Dweller features a bezel controlled movement named “Ring Command” which offers dual time and calendar functionality. 

We recommend the Sky-Dweller 336934. Crafted out of their proprietary Oyster Steel and white gold material, legendary tennis player, Roger Federer adorned the timepiece during Wimbledon 2023. Superlative Chronometer certification, confirming the build and reliability of the movement. 

Looking to buy a Rolex Sky-Dweller? Enjoy our in depth video review of reference 336934

Again, this isn’t too tough of a round to call. We don’t require any stewards enquiry here.  Breitling has a range of high-quality collections, but they simply cannot compete with their counterparts' incredible build, historical lineage and reputation behind each of their lines. 

Apologies…but this round goes to Rolex, one more time!

 

Prices: Breitling vs Rolex Watches

One offers affordable pricing for solid watches. The other doles out extortionate prices for some incredible watches. Can you guess which fits each description?

The most affordable timepiece from Breitling is the Endurance Pro which has a starting value of £2,950 at the time of writing. 

So what is the most affordable Rolex? It happens to be the Oyster Perpetual 28mm. Crafted out of Oyster steel, it’s valued at £4,950 at the time of writing. With a difference of around 53.6%, there is quite a big separation between the entry level luxury watches and the horological titans. 

However, this is nothing when compared to other significant brands like Vacheron Constantin or Audemars Piguet. AP’s cheapest watches are the Royal Oak Quartz which retails in excess of £15,000 at the time of writing. This makes the Genevan giant seem quite reasonable!

Breitling watches are noted for losing resale value as soon as you pretty much walk out the store with one. Unlike Taylor Swift, they simply don’t have the clamour nor notoriety for holding value.

For example, high-quality pieces with prestige like the Navitimer line do still lose a substantial chunk. Take the Navitimer Automatic 36mm. With a burgundy strap and a bright white dial, it retails at £4,400 at the time of writing. It sells for upwards of £3,000 on the secondary market at the time of writing. 

However, some may also increase in resale value too such as the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46mm. Given a rose gold case and given a delightful green dial, it currently retails at £18,600 at the time of writing. However, it sells on the secondary market for around £17,000 at the time of writing. 

However the real resale value uptake lies in the rare or exclusive editions. Supply and demand are critical concepts in horology, if you are interested in earning a little profit after you buy a watch. 

Luckily for your hungry horophiles, Breitling has a range of examples. 

18K Bentley Mulliner - Source - Christie’s

 

One excellent option is the 18K Mulliner Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Totalling just one model, they collaborated with Bentley to release this beauty which delivers  an 18K white gold case and a range of diamonds. Featuring a perpetual calendar and moon phase on a stunning amber dial, it sold at a Christie’s auction in 2018 for around £39,000. 

Rolex however may be the complete opposite. They are so in demand and have such a strong reputation that they can yield phenomenal sums from 99.9% of their standard pieces. Nothing is a guarantee dear friends, aside from taxes! 

For their legendary Datejust which were the first watches with an automatically changing date window in 1945, there are a range of watches which yield great resale value. 

For us, the Datejust 36mm reference 126233 is an enduring winner as it blends a yellow gold case with steel and utilises the tasteful Jubilee strap. Given a retail value of £13,950 at the time of writing, it sells for an average price of £12,000 on the secondary market at the time of writing. 

Submariner 5513 - Source - Oceanic Time

 

Don’t even get us started on the scarce or exclusive references…Due to them already being exclusive and harder to come by than an eloquent speech from Joe Biden, the rarer editions are almost impossible to source. As a result, they are immediately snagged due to their exclusivity. Below are just a few examples of these best watches:

 

• Daytona 6263 “Oyster Sotto” - Fitted with one of the elusive exotic dials that patina over time, the hour markers are made up of Art-Deco inspired Arabic numerals. Vintage doesn’t get much better than this! It sold at a Phillips auction in 2016 for around £1.8 million. 
• Submariner 5513 James Bond - Released in 1972, this Submariner was worn one year later by Roger Moore in Live and Let Die. While the movie version features a buzzsaw bezel and a magnetic field that deflects bullets, you could open this Submariner up and see an engraving of ”Roger Moore 007”. The Submariner 5513 sold at a Phillips auction in 2015 for around £329,590. 
• Day-Date 18K Yellow Gold - Worn by none other than golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, the winner of Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year in 1978 and first male to become a back-to-back winner of the Masters in 1966, the Golden Bear was gifted a glitzy gold Day-Date back in 1967 when attending the Canada Cup in Tokyo. It sold at a Phillips auction in 2019 for around £974,000. 

 

Simply put, pretty much anything from Hans Wilsdorf will not lose value. However, Breitling will typically lose upwards of 30% upon resale value after the first year. Sure, you may be paying the premium, but resale value cannot be understated. 

Sorry Breitling, you know the pattern. The price round goes once again to Rolex. 

 

Accuracy: Breitling vs Rolex

Both Breitling and Rolex hold significant influence when it comes to the quality and precision of their movements. 

Chronométrie factory - Source - WTAPR

 

Ever since Breitling produced the first ever selfwinding chronograph timepiece since 1969, they have been one of the very few names that manufacture their own mechanical watches. Creating the Chronométrie factory in 2001, they have established incredible calibres such as the Superquartz which is ten times more accurate than standard quartz examples. 

Furthermore, they keep their mechanical watches highly precise. How do we know? Since 1999, they have been committed to ensuring every one of their timepieces are COSC certified, guaranteeing the -4/+6 seconds per day accuracy. 

Releasing their own movement in 2009, the B01, the calibre has expanded to include GMT and split-second functionality. If you want to rock around the clock like the Fonz, then this calibre wins…hands down.

Requiring at least 1,000 tests to achieve COSC certification, these movements are considered by some the Tina Turner of calibres. Simply The Best. We would tend to lay on the side of the El Primero or the highly revered Grand Seiko 9S Spring Drive.

Hats off guys. Sorry, put them back on. It’s Rolex’s turn! We said that everything they do is in-house, down to manufacturing their own materials. Well this theory is certainly put to the test thanks to the creation of Wilsdorf’s epic movements. 

4130 Daytona Calibre - Source - Caliber Corner

 

Their watches are Superlative Chronometer certified, meaning that since the 1950s, and later confirmed across all lines in 2015, their timepieces supersede the classic COSC certification and offer an impeccable -2/+2 accuracy per day. 

Perfect timing if you are boarding that plane for that last minute overseas business trip or off to the Formula 1 Grand Prix for the weekend.

On top of this, they use a range of technology which assure the user of complete accuracy and reliability across all lines line the Submariner and Sky-Dweller. For example, the brand has been utilising a Parachrom and Syloxi hairspring since 2000 which allows for the balance wheel to remain extremely precise. 

We must bow down to its Chronenergy escapement which has been in existence since 2015. This allows the timepieces' high beat rate to be regulated. And if that’s not enough to get your silicon hairsprings stand up on end, what is accuracy without reliability? The paraflex shock absorbers have been in production since 2005 and successfully neutralises any shocks that may occur.

So, they are more accurate and offer a greater deal of protection against knocks that would stand up to any boxing match. While Breitling utilises COSC certification across all their lines, Rolex uses a higher power movement across their portfolio too. 

Guess who has won the accuracy round…that’s right, come over here Rolex.

 

Investment Potential: Breitling vs Rolex 

Low supply and overwhelming demand makes watches yield good resale value. With this simple motto, Breitling and Rolex have a range of fantastic vintage or illustrious watches which yield great resale value figures.

Duograph 764 - Source - Christie’s

 

There’s a few that spring to our minds when we think of Breitling timepieces that have superseded resale value expectation. 

The vintage Duograph 764 with brown leather strap is one high echelon piece. Boasting a split seconds chronograph against a black dial, these steely numbers were only produced from 1942 to 1944 with the Venus calibre 179. It’s subsequent rarity brought a pricing of around £36,000 at a Christie’s auction in 2017

Ah…they are not a one trick pony though. Let us explain for a minute. Their Bentley Mulliner Tourbillon H18841 with accompanying brown leather strap is a fantastic representation of their collaboration work with the famed car manufacturer, adhering to the highest standards of Haute Horlogerie.

Crafted out of 18K yellow gold from the case to the thatched style bezel, the watches are a huge 47mm, similar to Panerai’s oversized novelties like the Luminor. We prefer to have the size in order to boast the style! Fitted with a brown leather strap, it is powered by the CAL.18B which offers tourbillon functionality alongside general timekeeping. 

It sold at a Christie’s auction in 2018 for around £24,000. 

Daytona 6239 - Source - Forbes

 

Rolex is also a high end manufacturer in terms of investment. The most famous example is the Daytona that was owned by Winning star, Paul Newman. 

Known as reference 6239, he owned an exotic panda dial edition, which features a white dial background, black sub-dials, hour markers on the minute track and the famous innovation of the tachymetric scale on the bezel as opposed to the inner flange.

In fact, many references like the 6241, 6263 and reference 6265, known in Rolex nicknames terms as “Big Red '', (American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest has one) are those most sought after. 

Want to learn more about this most fascinating of dial trends? Have a look at our article on the panda dial watches. 

Featuring an engraving of “Drive Carefully Me” by devoted wife Joanne Woodward, there’s only an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 watches ever manufactured. Up for auction in 2017, it sold for an astonishing £14.2 million. 

Another great example is the Unicorn 6265. Given a white gold case, it’s deemed to be the only white gold Daytona made. Given a black sigma dial with opposing white sub-counters, hands and hour markers, they are kitted out with a strap that legendary watch collector John Goldberger sourced from a 1507 Oyster Date. 

Almost impossible to find and solely unique to the horological world, it sold at a Phillips auction in 2018 for around £4.7 million. What Rolex has that Breitling simply cannot attain is resale value for standard models. One watch that blows its resale value out of the water is the gorgeous Yacht-Master 42mm Titanium. 

The case is crafted out of their proprietary RLX titanium material just like the strap, and has a bi-directional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel aside a highly legible Chromalight face. 

Oh yes, Superlative Chronometer certified, you can be assured of a 70 hour power reserve and a -2/+2 second precision per day. Selling at retail for £12,950 at the time of writing, it sells on the secondary market for upwards of £34,100 at the time of writing. 

If He-Man rocked a timepiece, this would be it. It truly does have the power to not only defeat Skeletor but be deemed investment worthy…even if it's still in production and not a limited edition. Breitling misses out on this as their “normal” pieces tend to lose around 20-50% of their resale value. 

Sorry, Breitling. Rolex has too much investment potential, putting them up there with Holy Trinity members like Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet. 

We give this round (yet again!) to Rolex.

 

Which Breitling vs Rolex Watches Don’t Hold Their Value?

We’ll keep this short and sweet. 

Rolex watches can capably match or surpass retail with a more significant resale value. However, Breitling cannot match the brand exclusivity, desirability nor selling power.

While they do have some clever innovations like Breitlight which allows the watches to be distinctive, their range of material innovation and technical skill does not cut the horological mustard. Low-grade materials and COSC certification. Pah. Rolex however can find their own materials, ensuring nothing but the highest quality while creating their own boundaries as seen through their Superlative Certification. 

With rare models like the Breitling Emergency Orbiter 3 with rubber straps having the potential to yield good results due to its limited edition run of 2000 pieces, these are few and far between. Expect to lose around 25% of your models value, with the odd chances of landing a model with high demand and low supply like most of their portfolio. 

We wouldn’t sleep on them though when compared to Hans Wilsdorf’s delectable offerings.

Avenger B01 Chronograph - Source - Breitling

 

For example, models like the brand-new pilot-orientated Avenger B01 Chronograph 44mm are crafted out of steel, COSC certified and feature 300 metres water resistance alongside the rich green face and fabric strap. Selling at retail for £5,550 at the time of writing, it sells lower on the secondary market for upwards of £5,000 at the time of writing. 

Keep your eyes peeled for rarer pieces if you are looking for an investment opportunity. We grant the investment potential round to. Drumroll please. Nah we don’t need it.

It’s Rolex. 

 

Net Worth: Breitling vs Rolex

Breitling currently sits quite comfortably within the halls of Partner’s Group. While other conglomerates like Richemont and LVMH house stars like TAG Heuer, Cartier, IWC, Hublot and Zenith, Partner’s Group instead opt for brands like Universal Geneve Watch Brand. 

They boast a revenue of around 860 million CHF and a 2.6% stake in the Swiss horological industry. They have remained in-house ever since its inception. Under the careful eyes of the Hans Wilsdorf Trust, all sales and other important stats are kept under wraps. 

However, using Chrono Hunter’s ever seeing orb, we have discovered that they have 9,300 million CHF revenue, currently making up around 30.9% of the Swiss industry. 

They sit at unsurprising number one spot for Swiss watch brands while Breitling takes up ninth position. However, this isn’t a negative, as they have only recently broken into the top ten Swiss watch brands. Possible contender for the big seat? We’ll wait and see!

Rolex wins the net worth round…hands down.

 

Brand Ambassador Street Cred: Breitling vs Rolex

Although as Frank Sinatra proclaimed the end is near, there’s more to cover as we now turn to brand ambassadors.

Breitling knows how to get the kids onboard. Upon the release of the #SQUADONAMISSION campaign in 2018, they looked across a range of industries to tap into the best ambassadors around. 

Encompassing various “squads”, you have the “All Star” which has star footballer Erling Haaland to pro basketballer Giannis Antetokounmpo, “Navitimer” which features actress Charlize Theron and pilot legend Betrand Piccard. There is even a “Triathlon” team with multiple IRONMAN winners Jan Frodeno, Daniela Ryf and Chris Mccormack. 

Outside of paid endorsements, fans like Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis and Batman fiend Henry Cavill adorn the brand. Even Omega Speedmaster lover Buzz Aldrin has been known to rock the rare Emergency. 

Like Piers Morgan, Rolex doesn't shy away from associating with headliners either. From joining Mercedes Gleitz back in 1927 when she swam across the English Channel with an Oyster on her neck to Sir Malcom Campbell wearing an Oyster in 1935 after breaking nine speed records at Utah, the modern era still shows that they follow only the finest legends. 

Associated with American Presidents through Day-Date wearers like Donald Trump to iconic sportsmen like Tiger Woods, even stars like John Mayer and Tom Brady avidly collect the brand's holy grail of watches for their style and investment portfolios. 

Ok, Breitling has built up an excellent network of high-quality celebs to adorn their pieces. However, Rolex have enough street cred to get the celebs flooding in left, right and centre without much effort.

Gentlemen, we award the brand ambassador round to…Rolex.

 

People Also Ask

 

What Kind Of Person Wears A Breitling?

Breitling provides watches for the aviator, deep sea explorer, the stylish dresser and the fashion layman who wants something that can be worn everyday. With prices that are accessible to every kind of buyer, you can buy a Breitling Superocean if you are a water enthusiast or revert to the classics with a Chronomat. 

It's clear to see why celebs such as Adam Driver and Tom Cruise are keen to flex their horological game with this brand. They are for the utilitarian and Mr Elegant. 

Why can’t it be for you?

 

Are Rolex A Good Investment?

In a word…yes.

Their watches are excellent investments. They use only their specially made materials such as Rolesor, have movements which can stand the test of time and have a heritage laced with success and innovation. Oh yes, they are also the brand of the social elites from Hollywood great Paul Newman to the hip hop king, Drake.

 

Is Breitling Worth Investing?

Is Breitling a good watch? They are still worth looking into.

It’s important to note that while the standard watches may not yield great resale value, you may land on a scarce or rare piece which can exponentially boom in price. After all, this brand is worn by the likes of Idris Elba and Harrison Ford. 

Their most popular watches for investment tend to be those that are either rare or vintage. It may be worth looking at the Cosmonaute 809-36 which became the first reference to be worn in space on the wrist of Lt. Carpenter. 

 

Is Rolex Still Popular?

Absolutely, they remain a critical part of horology and take up a giant portion of most collectors' portfolios. Synonymous with the Daytona, Submariner and Sky-Dweller, worn by a range of high-level clientele and built with the finest materials and movements, they remain just as significant and important in the modern era as they did upon their foundation in 1905. Plus the majority of their watches not only hold value but sell above retail on the secondary market.

 

How Many Watches Does Breitling Produce Per Year?

They produce around 170,000 watches per year. They keep their pieces low in order to ensure their quality. They are all Individually created and thoroughly tested including condensation and workmanship tests such as the colours of the hands and quality of the dial. 

 

Why Are Rolex Watches So Expensive?

Their timepieces are expensive because they manufacture everything in house. From the materials to the movements, myriad of brilliant patents and innovation such as Parachrom hairsprings and Chromalight displays, they are aiming to open up three new factories by 2025, totalling around £900,000 to keep up with the production rate and the level of quality.

 

5 Reasons To Buy A Breitling

• You can be assured of a high level of precision due to all of the timepieces being COSC certified. 
• They have developed their portfolio to include a range of high-quality materials, including their special Breitlight material. 
• They have a strong heritage and reputation which runs over 120 years
• They offer entry level luxury watches which are more affordable than competitors. 
• You have the opportunity to source rare models like The Emergency Obiter or pieces from the Bentley collaboration.

 

5 Reasons To Buy A Rolex

• They are one of the biggest watch brands to date, boasting their great prowess across horology. 
• Their timepieces can increase past their original retail value on the secondary market. 
• They found all their own exclusive materials, ensuring quality is met and standards are kept high. 
• They have Superlative Certification, confirming your watches accuracy and longevity since it surpasses METAS and COSC certification. 
• Legendary models from the Daytona to the Datejust which have made a significant impact on popular culture and the timekeeping sphere. 

 

Conclusion

So, it seems a terrible imposition has been placed upon Chrono Hunter today. 

We have assigned ourselves the tough task of reading through all the history and stats behind both brands to decipher their quality and which one is the victor of this gruelling time-consuming duel. 

The bell has finally rung on our comparison. So is it going to be Breitling or Rolex? What’s the final verdict? It appears Breitling has already thrown in the towel. While they remain a high-quality brand with an array of impressive aviator tool watches, it’s only right we present this victory to you guessed it…

Rolex. 

Perhaps like Sinead O’Connor sung about in January 1990, Nothing Compares To You, the mightiest of Genevan stars. As the number one horological brand for reputation and turnover, even Holy Trinity members, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin are fighting it out to match their quality. 

From the influence of the Submariner on dive watches to the fast paced Daytona, which moved the tachymetric scale to the bezel, everything Rolex has touched, seemingly turns to gold! You bet they have the Midas touch.

Presidents, global stars and everyone in between want a piece (or a slither) of the Rolex pie! If you have a hankering to buy or sell either brand, it’s time we let you in on the biggest revolution that is shaking up the industry. 

Gloves off for now. 

Can't wait to buy a Rolex Day-Date? Want to roll the dice and buy a Breitling quickly and at the best possible price? There’s only one thing to do..that’s discuss your individual needs with Chrono Hunter here. 

With quick turnaround, unmatched brand expertise and such a trusted network of established luxury retailers, you benefit from the best possible prices when you buy a watch. Plus, if you want to receive top prices paid when you sell a watch, head to our sold watches page to see an extensive array of timepieces that have been transacted through our platform.

Whether purchase or sale, check out our outstanding Trustpilot reviews to see why we are your go-to platform. Enter the details on our buying or selling forms or download our dedicated app today to receive multiple offers in less than 24 hours and save money the smart way.

 

Further Reading: 

MatchTime: Zenith vs Omega - Which Is The Best Watch Brand?

MatchTime: Patek Philippe vs Rolex - Which Is The Best Watch Brand?

 

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