Breitling vs. Omega: Clash of the Titans
Some time ago, we did a blog called “Tissot vs. Movado.” It was a brutal throwdown between two of the best affordable luxury watch brands out there. Worlds collided, chaos ensued, and generally it was a lot of fun.
Here at WatchMaxx, we like having fun. So, of course, we decided to do it again. Only this time we’re pitting two absolute behemoths of the luxury watch circle against each other.
That’s right. The time has come for Breitling vs. Omega. Might want to put on your safety goggles.
Breitling vs. Omega: Weigh-In
Origins - Both companies are well over a century old, each being founded in Switzerland in the 19th century. Omega does have a few years on their opponent, having been founded in 1848 as opposed to Breitling’s 1884.
Wow, we just noticed that 1884 and 1848 are the same four numbers arranged differently.
Either way, both companies have long histories that stretch back to the beginning of the golden age of luxury watches. As such, they’ve each earned a mighty amount of respect from collectors and appreciators of finely made luxury.
Pedigrees - Similarly, you’ll find that both companies share a sort of air of professionalism throughout the histories of their most famous watches.
For instance, Breitling watches have been used officially by divers, pilots, and militaries over the years. They’re currently partnered with Bentley Motors, and have produced many dashboard clocks for the luxury vehicles.
Omega watches have also been used professionally, the company having been commissioned to supply watches to the Royal Flying Corps of Britain as well as the U.S. Army around the WW1 era.
They were also famously chosen to provide watches for NASA astronauts, and the Omega Speedmaster was the first watch worn on the moon.
Both Omega and Breitling watches have been featured in James Bond movies, which is the true badge of ultimate renown.
Now let’s get to the main event. We’ve broken this matchup out into three categories: Depth (dive watches), Altitude (pilot’s watches), and Attitude (cool watches).
Matchup 1 - Depth
The Breitling Superocean Heritage II Chronograph
Superoceans are some of the most sought after dive watches out there, and for good reason. They’re sturdy, dependable, very functional, and just, you know, incredibly cool. They have the feel of a professional tool rather than just a luxury accessory, and that’s one of the reasons they’re so often used by professionals.
We picked the Superocean Heritage II because we think its more complex chronograph setup better reflects that level of professionalism.
Vs.
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Omega’s Seamasters are also incredibly well-made professional-grade dive watches, though their aesthetic tends to lean a little more towards the luxury side than the tool-watch side. That doesn’t mean they’re any less capable, however.
We picked this particular Omega Seamaster watch because we think it best represents the sort of standard set by the line. There are much fancier Omega watches Seamasters out there, but we think this blue dial Master Chronometer sort of establishes the baseline for what you can expect from the watches.
Let’s get to it, then.
Dial - The Superocean Heritage II has a very Breitling-esque dial. That is, there’s a lot going on. With 3 sub dials, a day/date window, and a level of units beyond Omega’s offering, all the information you could need is right there. That said, it’s on a solid black backdrop, and it’s not really designed to have any eye candy.
The Seamaster, on the other hand, features a beautiful oceanic blue dial with wave-like lines patterned across it. The presentation is simple, with a basic date window at 6 o’clock.
This one goes to the Seamaster.
Functionality - With its chronograph controls, sub dials, and just incredible presentation of a lot of information, we have to say that the Superocean edges out the Seamaster in terms of functionality.
Water Resistance - Since these are dive watches, after all, and we assume anybody interested in them will be plunging into the uncharted depths of the oceans in search of treasure, sea monsters, or aliens, water resistance is definitely a big deal for this category.
As such, the Seamaster defeats the Superocean’s 200 meter water resistance with a stunning 300 meter rating.
Winner - The Omega Seamaster! When it comes down to it, the Seamaster may be less obviously useful than the Superocean Heritage II. However, the cool dial and the better water resistance give it the win.
You can get your Omega Seamaster Diver 300m today for 20% off!
If you disagree with our ruling and prefer the Superocean Heritage II, get one for yourself and save 25%.
Matchup 2 - Altitude
The Breitling Navitimer 1 Chronograph 41 Black Dial
Breitling’s Navitimers are legendary for their use amongst pilots around the world. They’ve been used by both commercial and military pilots alike, and they’re sort of the de facto iconic timepiece for aces everywhere.
This particular Navitimer is our personal favorite. The dial is beautiful, the chronograph functions are numerous and easy to read, and it just has that certain undefinable air about it that says “this is a pilot’s watch.” It’s really the total package.
Vs.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Speedmasters are legendary in their own right. By now we’re sure you’re aware of their pedigree, but just in case, it’s important to note that the Speedmaster was the first watch on the moon. It’s because of that fact that they’re often lovingly referred to as “moonwatches,” both by fans and Omega themselves.
We picked this Moonphase variation because we’re absolutely blown away by the level of detail that unveils itself every time you look at it. It’s a great representation of what it means to be a Moonwatch.
Dial - Before we even get into it, we just have to state that we absolutely love both of these dials. We could easily pick either one and be totally satisfied.
That being said, we don’t believe in ties. So let the battle continue.
The Breitling Navitimer’s dial is complex and intricate. There are a LOT of moving parts, and they’re all there to serve a purpose. The rose gold hands and markers add a bit of splendor to the mix, while the white sub dials on the black are a great look. The sheer amount of information here should be overwhelming, but it just somehow fits together so well that it’s easy to take in.
The Omega Speedmaster, on the other hand, is a little more simple. It might be this simplicity that makes it so powerful, though. The moonphase sub dial, for instance, is spectacularly made. The starfield backdrop is stunningly beautiful. Then there are little details like the red crescent moon on the date sub dial, an added touch that takes a few glances to even notice, but which really brings the dial alive.
We’re giving this one to the Omega Speedmaster.
Functionality - The Speedmaster has a lot of information on it. There’s a tachymeter, a 12 hour sub dial, a date sub dial, and full chronograph controls. Plus, of course, there’s the moon phase indicator.
However, the Navitimer is just completely unreal in what it shows and can do. Not only is it a chronograph, but it has the tachymeter and a rotating bezel that can even be used as a slide rule.
The Navitimer wins in Functionality.
Actual Altitude - A fun fact is that both Breitling’s Navitimer and Omega’s Speedmaster have been worn by astronauts to outer space. However, the Speedmaster is called the Moonwatch for a reason, and nothing will change the fact that it was the first watch to go to the moon.
It’s because of that that we’re giving this one to the Speedmaster, since it’s technically been the furthest off the ground.
Winner - The winner of the Altitude category is, shockingly, the Omega Speedmaster. It looks like the Moonwatch picks up another first.
Get your Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Co-Axial Master Chronometer today and save 17%.
We’re also offering a runner-up special 25% savings on the Breitling Navitimer 1 Chronograph when you order today!
Matchup 3 - Attitude
The Breitling Chronomat GMT Blue Dial
The Chronomat in its current iteration was developed in partnership with pilots from the Italian Air Force’s aerobatics team, the Tricolor Arrows. This sort of daredevil jet fighter pilot pedigree is visible across every inch of the design.
We picked this silver dial version as our entry because it really speaks to the modern Top Gun-esque war machine aesthetic. It’s a “screaming metal, mach 2, blazing afterburners” look all rolled up into one very impressive luxury watch.
Vs.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Co-Axial Chronograph “Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black”
Is it a little tacky for us to put up another Moonwatch for the third category? Maybe. But this is the Attitude matchup, and you’d be hard pressed to find a watch anywhere with more attitude than this Dark Side of the Moon Moonwatch.
This is the luxury embodiment of wearing sunglasses at night. This is “I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe” combined with taking a date to a late night diner in a red sports car with a switchblade comb in the pocket of your leather jacket. It’s just so…slick.
Triple-Take-ness - Okay, so both of these luxury master watches are double-take worthy, that can’t be denied. But which one is going to be more likely to pull in that coveted triple take?
While the Moonwatch is undeniably cool looking, and may even warrant more of a lingering second look, it’s the Chronomat that’s going to make us look again, and again, and again.
That polished silver dial is just too irresistible for us. Maybe it’s because we like shiny things, or maybe there’s just so much happening on it that we can’t help but take another look.
Awwwww Yeah Factor - There’s just something about strapping these bad boys onto our wrists that makes us go “Awwwwww yeah.”
The Moonwatch makes us feel cool in a superspy sort of way. Like we’re double-oh-seven waiting to get some intel on which nightclub our mark will be attending.
The Chronomat, however, is large and tank-like and makes us feel like we’re real bonafide fighter pilots. And we don’t know if there’s anything out there in the world that’s cooler than fighter pilots.
We’re giving this one to the Chronomat.
“Oh Dang. Okay, Now That’s Cool”-ification - While the Chronomat makes us feel like we’re about to pilot several tons of iron and steel screaming at the speed of sound through the sky, it’s the Moonwatch that we think has the bigger “coolness” factor to it.
The Moonwatch is what we’d wear if we were suiting up to fight a bunch of vampires with a couple of swords while wearing our specially made tactical shades. On the one hand, it’s an expertly made watch of the highest luxury, and an incredibly sought-after piece. On the other hand, it also makes us feel cool.
So we’re giving this one to the Moonwatch.
Winner - It’s really tough to pick one of these over the other for the Attitude category, because they’re both clearly dripping with it.
But this is our job, so we’re going to follow through.
The winner is the Breitling Chronomat!
Save 19% when you buy your Attitude-heavy Breitling Chronomat GMT today!
However, if you’re going vampire hunting or something and you really need to look super cool, you can buy the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch “Dark Side of the Moon” today for 22% off.
