Ethan Richardson, Author at Exquisite Timepieces - Page 4 of 4

 

Author: Ethan Richardson

Breitling vs IWC

Luxury watches are an investment and watch enthusiasts expect them to be outstanding in every aspect. When you go out into the market to buy a luxury watch, you do not plan on buying multiple watches to satisfy different requirements. Just one luxury watch can be the answer to all your desired qualities if you know what to look for. Breitling and IWC have always been known as reliable brands for luxury watches. They are both classy and luxury Swiss watch brands that are undoubtedly sought after and loved worldwide. They have quality, design, and functionality, which is why the Breitling vs IWC debate is very difficult to call.

In this article, you will take a look at many different perspectives on how you can best judge these brands and their watches. We will tell you exactly what things you should look into for buying the best luxury watch that will last you for a lifetime.

It is crucial to be aware of many factors and characteristics of watches, as merely looking at one cannot determine its functions and features. Indeed, a good design often reflects the watch’s working, but it is smart to research luxury watches before making a purchase decision. As you will see in this comparison, IWC and Breitling will be put against one another in many different categories, such as:

  •   History
  •   Craftsmanship
  •   Resale value
  •   Price ranges
  •   Brand popularity
  •   Measurements and time

Let’s dive straight in, beginning with the basics.

 

History of the Two Brands

IWC Factory
Original IWC Factory

Both brands have stood long since the late 19th century, emerging at around the same time. The earlier brand to launch was IWC, which started in 1869. It was established in Schaffhausen in Switzerland, making fine watches. It has an experience of around fifteen years more than its competition, Breitling. Starting up in 1884, Breitling began as a watchmaking company in the Jura Mountains in Switzerland.

Both are well respected, highly established, and renowned Swiss luxury watch brands. They have come out with many innovative and ideal products over the many years of their work. Their contributions to the watch industry are important and appreciated worldwide and not just in Switzerland.

 

Breitling vs IWC: Craftsmanship

Here will officially begin comparing Breitling vs. IWC as there is always a difference in craftsmanship between two brands, even if they are both Swiss.

IWC makes watches that have a classic transparent sapphire case at the backing. This element allows you to look at the mechanical working of the watch as the fragments move and work. These movements are also known as calibers that are finished in various techniques giving a gorgeous shine. This shine is a special one as you will not find it in the underworked pieces. This has built the image of IWC watches, as their dedication to aesthetics of the movement and calibers is extremely pleasant and beautifully crafted. Their watches are available in many models that can sometimes be engraved, giving you a more in-depth look into the calibers’ features and the brand itself.

Breitling offers beautiful watches as well. However, they do not provide the transparent case backs most of the time. They also have many quartz movement watches that are battery operating in function instead of mechanical watches. These quartz watches do not give options for the beautification of the plates and displays, which is easily done with mechanical watches. For this reason, they primarily use solid case backs.

 

Breitling vs IWC: Resale Value

In terms of resale value, one might opt for a watch that has a high resale value even before purchasing it. Simultaneously, one may also look at the value it will have once worn and used for some time. Both can be different. Nonetheless, resale value also depends on the brand, condition of the watch, the watch model, the place you may be reselling it to, original documents, and so on.

Luxury watches are an investment of sorts, lasting you a lifetime and being impeccable in all areas of their functions and design. But it is not an investment of something like equity. The value of a watch can change. Therefore these things must be kept in mind when buying or reselling.

Between IWC and Breitling, IWC is well known to stay at its original value at the time of purchase during reselling, whereas Breitling is not.

 

Breitling vs IWC: Price Ranges

An accurate comparison is best made in terms of price ranges. If something is more expensive than its competitor, is it worth it? Let’s see.

Breitling and IWC are both, for the most part, head to head, considering price points.

The Breitling entry-level and most affordable watches are priced at $3,000. This is the Breitling Endurance Pro Quartz 44mm. Seeing as it is a quartz watch, it is battery operated rather than mechanical. It also has a solid case back. Breitling also has Aviator watches that cost less than IWC models, such as the 41mm Aviator 8, which costs $3,930. This is a stainless steel model from the Aviator watches. The price skyrockets to $26,920 for the 18K Rose Gold watch.

This determines Breitling as a true luxury watch brand. However, things like solid case backs and battery-operated mechanisms limit what a luxury watch can best offer.

IWC, on the other hand, holds a record for the best value and highest quality Pilot watches starting with a price point of about $4,150. They have even better functioning Big Pilot watches, but they cost more at around $13,200. But their transparent case backs, mechanical functioning, visible working of calibers, aesthetic build, and high resale value quite literally justify the prices of their watches. You truly get your money’s worth.

 

Breitling vs IWC: Brand Popularity

Swiss Brands Popularity
Swiss Watch Brand Market Share in 2019

Brand recognition is built with years and years of hard work and contribution to the industry and public. Advertisements play a huge role in conveying a brand’s vision and its products. In the battle of Breitling vs. IWC, the crown of high rank in the popularity contest falls into the hands of IWC. It is ranked as the 10th most popular Swiss luxury watch brand. On the other hand, Breitling falls a bit lower at the 15th rank on the same list.

IWC is generally considered a higher prestigious standard than Breitling, with credit to their art and horology. Especially the Grande Complication watches from IWC are to be credited for this high recognition. They have a big set of inculcated features and functionalities that run on the mechanical mechanism, catering to the masses much more profoundly than Breitlings quartz watches that are battery operated. Breitling is, however, super popular amongst aviators and aeronautics professionals. They are appreciative of the unique and specialized features just for them provided by Breitling watches.

However, both brands are popular in conclusion and are deserving of their ranks on the most recognized Swiss luxury watch brands. However, if you were to consult a luxury watch connoisseur or collector, they would most definitely lean more towards getting an IWC, an excellent brand catering to many different niches and aesthetics.

 

Horology – Measurements and Time

IWC has built up its prestige on its own, refusing COSC certifications for chronometer evidence on their watches. They are still much more popular than Breitling, which has COSC certified watches with chronometers. Breitling has quartz watches that run on battery and are, most of the time, COSC certified quartz calibers. Their watches also have Quartz Chronometer written on them. Quartz calibers provide the most accuracy in a watch, even higher than the most high-end mechanical IWC watch. Yet, it remains the fact that IWC has won this Breitling vs. IWC contest.

The traditional methods of craftsmanship, transparency of the case backs, beautifully visible movements, and aesthetic collections are just some of the most prestigious qualities of IWC. They have made incredible contributions to the watchmaking craft by building high-quality, simple watches and even higher quality complicated watches. The Grande Complications watches, with simple time and day functions, also give features like stopwatch, moon phase, perpetual calendar, retrograde, minute repeater, and more. All of this runs mechanically. This is perhaps the only reason why IWC is the winner here for buying your best luxury watch.

They do not require COSC certifications at all to prove their magnificent abilities. Their watches that give traditional and valuable features speak for themselves. IWC is the best brand to get the best luxury watch that will last you a lifetime with great warranty, functions, value, and aesthetics.

Longines vs Breitling

There’s something enigmatic about luxury watches that makes them worth every penny you spend. Unlike any other ordinary watches, both Longines and Breitling have unique features to offer. However, when it comes to buying luxury watches coupled with exclusive technology, you need to determine various factors before making a purchase decision, bringing us to the question of Longines vs Breitling.

Both Longines and Breitling luxury segments are rooted in deep history, heritage, class, style, sophistication, tradition, design, and, most importantly, quality. The Longines vs Breitling debate a daunting task for the watch enthusiast to choose one from both stunning timepiece brands. Allow us to take a closer look at both the luxurious watch brands to find out which is more praiseworthy, Longines or Breitling.

 

Longines vs Breitling: Market-Size

Since the introduction of Longines back in 1832, it has remarkably mastered providing the most elegant and extravagant timepiece collections of luxurious watches to the world. Over the last decade, Longines has extended its collections ranging from simple, classic, vintage to automatic watches without compromising quality. 

In the last 188 years, the brand has transformed dramatically with time. It now focuses on designing future-proof watches, including dignified sports watches for activities like gymnastics or tennis.

As a highly-rated Swiss watch brand, Longines is among the top five most profitable influential brands globally. In 2018, Longines generated around $1.81 billion profit alone, reports revealed by the Swatch group. Every year, more than 700,000 watches have been sold alone in the Chinese market. 

In addition to China, Longines is roaring like a lion in the Indian market. India is amongst the top 15 markets, aiming towards enlarging the franchise model in the next financial year. Besides China and India, Switzerland, Germany, the US, the UK, and Italy were among the global marketers for Longines.

swiss watch market
Estimated Market Share by Swiss Watch Brands in 2019

Breitling was founded in 1884 and was mostly known for precision-made chronometers designed for aviators. Over the last decade, Breitling has come a long way, gradually shifting its focus from pocket-size watches to fully functional wristwatches. This is when makers came into form and consistently pushed the limits of multi-functional and timeless designs. The company aims to fit all of its watches, from mechanical, military watches to dive watches with excellence and precision.

Just like Longines, Breitling is also achieving profitable growth with a positive performance in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea. However, social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have dropped the sales, forcing the makers to boost their growth by relaunching the products.

Being considered a small yet niche player globally, Breitling, with a limited assortment of products, is expected to reach extreme heights by launching new collections on Watches & Wonders Geneva (a digital platform where Richemond brands unveil their watches every year). This way, Breitling hopes to bounce back, allowing watch lovers to enjoy life and luxury products simultaneously.

 

Longines vs Breitling: Popularity

The popularity of Longines is unmatchable and undisputable when compared to Breitling. Longines is the only luxury brand that has earned an excellent reputation in the market by fully understanding the changing needs of reliable shoppers. In China alone, the brand is achieving milestones with more than 400 retailers selling 600,000 to 700,000 watches every year. On the other hand, Breitling has made only 10 percent of its sales in Greater China.

Based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Longines luxury watches use highly efficient battery-powered quartz movements, unlike their biggest rival Rolex that has no quartz watches at all. Longines utilizes ceramic material for manufacturing extraordinary timepieces for both men and women. Being successful watchmakers for ages, Longines has been actively serving fascinating watches in various industries, such as aviation, sports, and entertainment. Many prominent personalities, such as tennis player Andre Agassi, actress and supermodel Chi Ling Li, and gymnast Giulia Steingruber, have associated with Longines for many years.

In contrast, Breitling is in the reinventing stage producing impressive models to appeal to a broader, less niche audience. Breitling watches are particularly known for their intensely intricate technical designs that can be worn every day.

 

Innovation & Technology

From the beginning, each design and element of Longines watches have exceeded the expectations leveraging major technological and advanced methods. Technical innovations have led them to change the appearance, aesthetics, and design of the watches from time to time. Longines has successfully launched the Asthmometer-Pulsometer Chronograph wristwatch and became the first company to introduce an LED-display watch. This makes them a recognized name that keeps on reinventing and pushing its limits with ever-increasing precision.

breitling history

Just like luxury cars, luxury watches from Longines function flawlessly gives a sense of pride and the feeling of sophistication to the wearer. All Longines watches are built carefully and thoughtfully by hand while maintaining a balance between traditional techniques and modernization. To ensure longevity, each Longines model goes through a series of quality inspections by the best artisans in the industry.

If we talk about Breitling, the brand has steadily improved their models’ technology and innovations. Among the various brands, Breitling has a stronghold over technical watches, mainly chronographs.

Being a devoted partner of the aviation industry, the brand has played a crucial role in resolving its uncomplicated missions using ultra-modern technologies. Over the years, Breitling has distinguished itself from other niche brands by always uplifting, improving, and innovating in exclusive watches in terms of movements and watch exteriors.

 

 Most Laudable Master Collection

Professionally speaking, Longines has broken many stereotypes by creating unique brand new watches that watch lovers have never seen before. From military, aviation, diver to dress, Longines has excelled while maintaining class and aesthetics.

Here are the most promising Longines watch collections:

  • Longines Master
  • Longines HydroConquest
  • Longines Heritage
  • Longines HydroConquest Green
  • Longines Spirit 40mm
  • Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph Tuxedo Dial
  • Longines Heritage Marine Nationale
  • Longines Record Automatic

 

Each collection of Breitling is packed with versatility, fantastic movements, and water resistance, including automatic mechanical features that could fit almost all sizes. 

Let’s go through some of Breitling’s most famous and stylish watches:

  • Breitling Superocean Heritage
  • Breitling Avenger II Seawolf
  • Breitling Navitimer 8 B01 Chronograph 43
  • Breitling Chronomat
  • Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Norton
  • Breitling Colt
  • Breitling Superocean II

Comparing Longines and Breitling, it is hard to choose for the shopper the better brand. Longines is considered one of the oldest brands that has triumphantly grown over the years, whereas Breitling is another powerful brand, effortlessly unveiling masterpieces that appeal to the masses.

  

Longines vs Breitling: Takeaway

It is now crystal-clear that both the brands are coming up with timeless models while maintaining brand image fiercely in the market. However, it could be challenging for watch enthusiasts to choose the best. When it comes to comparing Longines and Breitling, the brands have massively grown and built an empire delivering better efficiency and a high standard of watches every year.

Both brands are excellent, but Longines may be the better choice. Longines has positively exploded in terms of strength, robustness, quality, and performance. Longines has the power to bring out and accentuate the masculinity in men and femininity in women magically to their wrist without much effort. With Longines, you have a plethora of fantastic options to choose from. Equipped with the right combination of craftsmanship, price value, and uniqueness, Longines collections separate them from other brands available in the market.

By adding more value, timepiece enthusiasts get a wide array of options, including many unimaginable styles that can be worn in a broad range of circumstances. From vintage-inspired pieces to contemporary design watches, Longines never fails to disappoint.

Get ready to combine all the elements beautifully on your wrist by making a sound investment through Longines. There is something about Longines that you will cherish forever. Every masterpiece is diligently crafted and sets you apart from the crowd. As there are no parameters for luxury products, you need to create your own style statement by choosing the perfect model that matches your personal style.

From simple and stylish to the most complicated designs, easily choose from a wide selection of Longines watches to upgrade your style quotient. No matter the occasion, discover a spectacular collection of luxury watches for both men and women from Longines.

If you believe in love at first sight, we genuinely believe you’ll fall in love with Longines’ new models and vintage and classic designs the minute you try them on.

Longines vs Tissot

When shopping for exquisite timepieces, most people give Swiss watch brands priority. Tissot and Longines are among the top Swiss watchmaking brands available in the market. This detailed comparison of Longines vs Tissot presents different facts about both of the luxury watch brands. Both Tissot and Longines are members of the Swatch Group, so the two watch brands are under the same watchmaking banner. However, this doesn’t mean they produce the same kind of watch models. Longines and Tissot target different areas of the watchmaking industry when creating their timepieces.

Longines is widely known in the watchmaking industry as a luxurious watch, while Tissot is more popular as a mid-range Swiss watchmaking brand. Even though Tissot isn’t considered a luxury watch brand, they still produce some costly heritage timepieces in their collections. Longines, known as a high-end watch brand, delivers very classy and elegant timepieces. Longines watches’ pricing is very exclusive, competing with other top Swiss luxury watch brands like Omega. When comparing these two brands, the designs and versatility of their models play an essential role. The two brands have a lineage in the watchmaking industry that cannot be overlooked.

 

The History of The Longines Brand

longines history
The Original Longines Factory

The Longines brand was founded in 1832 and prides itself in more than a century of watchmaking culture and craftsmanship. Since its inception, the company has managed to build a reputation for making high-end watches. When founded, the Longines watch brand was initially known as Raiguel Jeune and Cie. The brand was based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. It wasn’t until 1867 that the brand changed its name to Longines and moved its operation to Les Longines, St. Imier.

In 1889, the Longines brand unveiled its logo, which is an hourglass with wings. The logo’s design hasn’t changed since it was created and has remained one of the authentic identifiers of the brand in the industry. Longines being a watchmaking brand from Switzerland means the brand uses the quartz movements used by Swiss watchmaking brands. The Swiss quartz movement is one of the most accurate watch movements in the watchmaking industry. With its impressive reputation of making luxurious watches of high quality, Longines has been awarded several contracts as official sponsors in sporting events. The brand even has partnerships with some top players in the sports industry.

Longines uses in-house movements in their watch models. The first Longines watch model to use the in-house watch movement was the Longines Calibre 20A. The watch was such a success that it even garnered an award during the 1987 Universal Exhibition held in Paris, France. The Longines Calibre 201A features an anchor escapement, which has a pendant and setting watch mechanism. Even though Longines makes luxurious watches, their models are still considered affordable compared to other luxurious watch brands like Rolex and Omega. The Longines brand is one of the respectable members of the Swatch Group Limited.

 

The History of the Tissot Brand

tissot history
Vintage Tissot Magazines Ads

Tissot is a Swiss-based watch brand that, over the years, has managed to gain immense respect in the global watchmaking industry. Tissot, like Longines, has more than a century of watchmaking history. The brand was founded in 1854, just a few years after Longines was founded. Tissot started by producing gold pocket watches. After that, the brand decided to expand its market coverage outside its home country. In their first year of operation, the brand reached the United States watchmaking market, and within five years, the Tissot brand was a household name in the Russian watch market.

Tissot has been operating in their Chemin des Tourelles, Le Locle headquarters since 1907. The brand has maintained the location as their primary factory until today. In 1910, the Tissot brand unveiled wristwatches that were made exclusively for women. Soon after, the brand also released its wristwatch collections made for men. The wrist watches for men were sleek but slightly different than the ones made for women, that’s why there are watches for small wrists that best caters for women size. The men’s wristwatches were bulkier.

Tissot started developing its in-house watch movements in 1917, and the brand also decided to produce high-quality timepieces that were affordable in the watchmaking industry. Tissot is famous for several innovations in the watchmaking industry. The Tissot non-magnetic wristwatch released in 1930 was the first non-magnetic watch.  In the same year, 1930, the Tissot brand partnered with Omega to form the Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère (SSIH), the first Swiss watchmaking association.

Tissot is among the top watch brands popular in the sports industry due to its rich watchmaking history and tested accuracy. They have become the official timekeepers of some of the top racing teams in the world.

Longines vs Tissot: Watch Comparison

Longines and Tissot are definitely in the same banner in the watchmaking industry but occupy different watch markets. The Longines brand is a luxurious watchmaking brand with a high price tag on its timepieces, unlike Tissot, a budget-friendly watch brand. If you a watch enthusiast looking for a budget-friendly watch, you will opt for the Tissot brand, but you will pick a Longines model if you want a luxurious timepiece. The two main types of watch models you will find common in the Longines vs Tissot debate are the dive watches and the sports watches.

 

Longines vs Tissot: Dive Watches

Dive watches are designed for any underwater activity. These watches have particular features, which allow them to withstand pressure when they are submerged in water. Both Tissot and Longines have exceptional models, which fit in the category of dive watches.  The Longines Hydro Conquest L3.640.4.56.6 and Tissot Seastar 1000 Chronograph are considered the top dive watches from each brand.

When looking at the dive watches from the two brands, both functionality and price play an important role. The Longines Hydro Conquest L3.640.4.56.6 feels like a premium grade diver’s watch with its water-resistance of up to 300 m or 1,000 feet, 38 hours of backup power, and highly accurate timekeeping thanks to the Japanese quartz movement. The Hydro Conquest, though subtle in appearance, has high functionality, making it a reliable diving watch. The Tissot Seastar 1000 offers a much affordable option and has the same designs as the Longines Hydro Conquest. With its compass-like aesthetics, the Seastar 1000 has an upper edge when it comes to design. The watch also has the same water-resistance level as the Hydro Conquest of 300 m or 1,000 feet.

After looking at the two models, it’s evident that the Longines Hydro Conquest L3.640.4.56.6 is a premium high-grade diver’s watch despite the higher price. Even though the Tissot Seastar 1000 might be a more affordable option when looking for a dive watch, the watch’s lithium battery-powered movement seems to be the main downside of the watch.

 

Longines vs Tissot: Sport Watches

These are watches that are more practical and less stylish. They are known to be more about precision and not about style. Longines and Tissot have several high-quality and luxury sports watches in their collection. We will compare the Longines Sports Legend L3.674.4.50.0 and the Tissot T-Race Swiss Automatic Chronograph.

The Longines Sports Legend L3.674.4.50.0 has a more traditional flair in design with a unisex appeal. The watch has a simple dial and a super compressor case design, hence the water-resistance of 300 m. The Sports Legend is seen as a marvel of watch engineering focusing more on the watch’s polished and exceptional functionality and less on appearance. The Tissot T-Race Swiss Automatic Chronograph comes in with a budget-friendly sport design and excellent functionality. The T-Race collection from Tissot is very popular due to its functionality and its racecar-like design. The watch model comes with chronograph functionalities and a magnifying glass on top of the date window display. The Tissot T-Race Swiss Automatic Chronograph is a wonderful blend of precision, style, and functionality.

The Tissot T-Race offers excellent quality and functionality, with a pocket-friendly price tag. The Longines Sports Legend L3.674.4.50.0, though with a minimalistic design, provides much more improved functionality, which is highly sought after when shopping for sports watches.

 

Longines vs Tissot: Conclusion

Tissot and Longines offer different incentives to watch connoisseurs, Tissot being the more well-rounded option between the two brands. Longines has the upper hand when it comes to brand recognition and producing high-quality, luxurious watches. The Longines brand has more to offer to watch enthusiasts compared to Tissot. Exquisite Timepieces offers a wide variety of Longines and Tissot watches depending on ones’ personal preference and taste. You will find a substantially expansive list of watches to choose from.

The lunar calendar in all its glory

Two years after it first appeared, Parmigiani Fleurier is updating the aesthetic of the Tonda 1950 Lune with a model featuring a slate dial. It showcase the poetry of the “lunar calendar” complication which illuminates it’s dial with a new layout. Behind this harmony, it is easy to forget the sheer mechanical complexity required to create an ultra-thin self-winding movement which comprises so many time indications. The Tonda 1950 Lune is both a technical and beautiful tour de force.

Continue reading “Introducing the New Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 Lune”

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