Still undecided on whether you should buy a Rolex or Breitling watch?
Don’t worry! Because today we will help settle the debate between the best luxury watch brands.
In our previous article, we’ve already featured the comparison between Rolex and Cartier watches and helped many uncertain watch enthusiasts who are confused about which of the iconic brands to choose.
So today, we show you our results from our head-to-head battle between Rolex and Breitling watches.
We reviewed every angle of these luxury watch brands and compared them for design, performance, and movements.
It was a close fight, as both Rolex and Breitling created great watches that changed the watch culture forever. But after days of deliberation, here’s what we found:
- Rolex offers better quality and aesthetic
- Breitling offers better value
After serious consideration, we figured out that the Rolex Datejust was the top watch overall and picked Rolex as the champion of this duel.
So if you want to know more details about this comparison, check out our honest thoughts and review below.
Related: Rolex vs Tissot Watch Brand Comparison
Rating
| Category | Rolex | Breitling |
| Design | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Performance | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Movements | 5.0 | 4.0 |
Our Pick For Best Rolex Watch: Rolex Datejust
Rolex Datejust
Check Current Price | Best Watch Overall | Rating: 5 out of 5
- Price Range: Starting at $10,000
- Case material: Stainless steel and white gold
- Water resistance: 100m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Rolex Datejust
Rolex Datejust is one of the iconic watches that the recognizable Swiss watch brand Rolex has ever made.
Rolex began creating these high-quality timepieces in 1945 and easily became one of the most in-demand mechanical watches in the luxury watch market alongside Rolex Submariner and Rolex Oysterquartz by that time.
This Rolex timepiece features a clean white dial adorned with Roman numeral hour markers. It has a durable case made in white gold and stainless steel, paired with the brand’s iconic Oyster bracelet.
They are powered by highly accurate in-house movements with a minimum precision of -2/+2 seconds per day.
Moreover, these high-precision watches are one of the most affordable watches in the Rolex world of timepieces, making them a go-to model for watch enthusiasts who want to own a model from a famous luxury watch brand.
Here is a table summarizing the top watch models from Rolex in 2023. If you want more details on what our experts think about a specific watch, keep reading along!
| Best Rolex Watches | Best Feature | Style With |
| Rolex Datejust | Best Watch Overall | Casual or Formal |
| Rolex Sky-Dweller | Best Watch With Calendar | Casual |
| Rolex Daytona | Best Chronograph Watch | Casual |
Our Pick For Best Breitling Watch: Breitling Premier
Breitling Premier
Check Current Price | Best Dress Watch | Rating: 5 out of 5
- Price Range: Starting $8,750
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 100m
- Movement: Manual
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Breitling Premier
If you are looking for more affordable watches to match your suit and ties whenever you go to the office, the Breitling Premier is the right choice for you.
Breitling debuted the Premier watch collection in 1943, Paying homage to three generations of inventors — Willy, Gaston, and Leon Breitling, the three men behind the successful modern Breitling timepieces.
These mechanical watches feature elegantly designed dials with applied Arabic numerals, vintage-inspired hands, and rectangular pushers on its side.
It also showcases a sapphire crystal caseback and leather strap that completes its overall sleek and stunning look.
As one of the top luxury watch brands that offer timepieces at reasonable prices, Breitling Premier watches are perfect for men who want to start their own watch collections.
Here is a table summarizing the top watch models from Breitling in 2023. If you want more details on what our experts think about a specific watch, keep reading along!
| Best Breitling Watches | Best Feature | Style With |
| Breitling Premier | Best Dress Watch | Formal |
| Breitling Superocean | Best Diver Watch | Casual |
| Breitling Avenger | Best Tool Watch | Casual or Formal |
Rolex And Breitling: Brand Overview
Rolex
Rolex is a famous Swiss watchmaking brand initially founded as a watch distribution business in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis.
They are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and are known for their mechanically powered automatic watches.
The Rolex brand pride itself on only manufacturing mechanical watches, regarded by many prominent enthusiasts and collectors as some of the best in the watch industry. In fact, they are the 3rd most recognized Swiss brand worldwide.
They currently hold the record for the most popular and in-demand luxury watches today.
Breitling
Breitling is a Swiss watch brand established in 1884. The company has a long history of assembling watches (usually with a chronograph function) used in science, sports, and other industries.
Breitling’s luxury watches are known for their quality, design, and their affordable price points. Breitling prices start at less than half the price of most Rolex Daytonas.
Some of the best-sellers in Breitling’s catalog are the Breitling Navitimer, Breitling Premier, Breitling Emergency, and their COSC-certified Breitling Superquartz.
Rolex might beat Breitling watches in terms of brand recognition, but when it comes to the budget, Rolex costs start at about twice the price of the cheapest Breitling, making them a perfect choice as an entry-level timepiece.
The Best Rolex Watches
#3. Rolex Daytona
Check Current Price | Best Chronograph Watch | Rating: 4 out of 5
- Price Range: Starting at $18,800
- Case material: White gold
- Water resistance: 100m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Rolex Daytona
The Daytona is one of the most modern Rolex watches worn by some of the famous celebrities in the world, including Paul Newman, John Mayer, and Jay-Z.
With its remarkable features, such as a tachymetric scale, three counters (sub-dials), and self-winding chronograph movement, these Rolex models are the ultimate tool watches designed for endurance racing drivers.
It is made with precious metals, such as white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and even platinum. They can be paired with metal bracelets or rubber straps, depending on the preference of their wearer.
However, you must know that this watch is not for everyone. Even the cheapest new Rolex Chronograph Daytona might cost you more compared to other luxury watch brands.
But in terms of accuracy and functionality, nothing in the world beats Rolex in this category.
#2. Rolex Sky-Dweller
Check Current Price | Best Watch With Calendar | Rating: 4 out of 5
- Price Range: $15,250
- Case material: White gold
- Water resistance: 100m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Rolex Sky-Dweller
With its elegance and classiness, the Rolex Sky-Dweller is easily the most versatile timepiece made by the famous watch brand. They are also the most complicated luxury watches that Rolex makes.
These watches showcase in-house automatic mechanical movements with dual time zones and instantaneous annual calendar functions.
It is water resistant up to 100 meters and has 72 hours of power reserve.
Furthermore, this iconic watch also has a 42mm white gold case with a black rubber strap, which completes its luxurious yet sporty look.
Besides being one of the best timepieces in the current Rolex catalog, it is also one of a few Rolex models known for its high resale value.
The Best Breitling Watches
#3. Breitling Avenger
Check Current Price | Best Tool Watch | Rating: 4 out of 5
- Price Range: Starting at $6,500
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 300m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Breitling Avenger
In case you didn’t know, Breitling has a watch called The Avenger Chronograph.
This watch is not related to the Marvel Superheroes, but we can say that this Breitling model has unrivaled safety and reliability for any airborne adventurer.
The Breitling Avenger Chronograph can be operated while wearing gloves thanks to its robust bezel and unique grip patterns on the crown and chronograph pushers.
Like Rolex GMT-Master, this watch has a GMT function aside from its date and chronograph features.
It also showcases a durable 45mm stainless steel case, a black dial, and a choice of a steel bracelet or matching military-grade leather strap.
And the best part here is that you will need to only pay nearly half as much as an entry-level Rolex to join the Breitling club and wear a watch like this.
#2. Breitling Superocean
Check Current Price | Best Diver Watch | Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Price Range: Starting at $5,000
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 300m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Cambered sapphire
Our Experience With Breitling Superocean
Both Breitling and Rolex have a highly reliable dive watch. But if you want a timepiece with a budget-friendly price point, we highly recommend the Breitling Superocean.
This watch features a bright yellow dial, baton luminescent indexes, and squared-off hands for maximum legibility under the ocean.
And besides its 300-meter water resistance and unidirectional bezel, it also has shock, sand, and saltwater resistance, perfect for all your water-based pursuits and to make the diving experience much safer for its wearer.
It is run by a self-winding Swiss watch movement with 38 hours of power reserve and comes with two strap options, a metal or rubber strap.
But if you want a much classier and vintage design, we also recommend the Breitling Superocean Heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Breitling is known for their highly reliable chronograph watches with modern and classic designs.
Yes, all Breitling watches are made in Switzerland. Their main headquarters today is located in Grenchen, Switzerland.
Yes. All Breitling models are considered luxury watches at a much more affordable cost.
Rolex Vs Breitling – Conclusion
And that’s all!
We hope you have enjoyed and learned new things about two of the top watch brands in Breitling and Rolex watches. These two brands are the best of the best in their own distinct ways.
But for us, the best overall watch is the Rolex Datejust.
Other top Rolex watches include the Rolex Sky-Dweller and the Rolex Daytona.
Regarding Breitling watches, our top choice is Breitling Premier.
Other excellent Breitling timepieces you should also try are the Breitling Superocean and Breitling Avenger.
If you want to learn more about Rolex watches, check out our article about the Rolex advantages and what makes them special.
And if you have questions or thoughts, feel free to comment down below!
