polished or brushed steel bracelets

[robbi]

I am interested in the ladies colt-oceane and when I went to the AD today and they didn't have this model in for me to look at in the flesh. [and so I still don't know if the bracelet o it is really shiny/polished or matt/brushed like it looks in the pictures I have seen] I noticed some mens brietling watches in the window and some had very shiny,polished bracelets [professional?] and then there were the same bracelet but with a matt/brushed finish.

1.] I am wondering if the colt-oceane comes in the shiny bracelet whether it would be possible to put the matt/brushed professional on it??

2.] Is the Diver Pro bracelet brushed or polished??

[Or was it titanium that I saw and I thought it was brushed steel??]
If it was titanium would I be able to get the colt-ocean in titanium bracelet?

[Scott D]

Hi Robbi,

So here's the answers to some of your questions. I'm also sure Ron (as well as others) will chime in here as his wife has quite a Breitling collection and he'll certainly have some helpful info in your search...

1.] I am wondering if the colt-oceane comes in the shiny bracelet whether it would be possible to put the matt/brushed professional on it??
The Colt-Oceane is indeed a polished watch, both case & bracelet. You could probably have the bracelet brushed if you wished.

2.] Is the Diver Pro bracelet brushed or polished??
I did a little more looking in the books today and I believe all stainless steel Pro bracelets are polished. The exception is the Titanium watches, which are brushed.

[Or was it titanium that I saw and I thought it was brushed steel??]
If it was a mens watch, it was either a Titanium model or the Blackbird, as those are brushed. If it had a pro bracelet (3 links) it was titanium. The Blackbird has a pilot bracelet (5 links)

If it was titanium would I be able to get the colt-ocean in titanium bracelet?
Well, the Colt-Oceane isn't listed in the Chronolog as being available in Titanium, but I don't have an '07 dealer catalog, so I can't tell for 100% certainty.

Hope this helps and I'm sure some of the other guys will chime in to help too...

[Scott D]

BTW Robbi,

Here's another picture of the Colt-Oceane for you....

[robbi]

Thanks Scott
Do you mean that all Pro bracelets are polished [you wrote brushed]

You said that I could get the bracelet brushed... who does this ? A regular jeweller?
Could they brush the case as well so that it is matching with the bracelet?

[Scott D]

Hey Robbi,

Sorry - yes I meant all steel pro bracelets are polished...

As to the brushing question, yes any good jeweler can do this for you. It's actually fairly easy with the right tools.

One thing I would do is if you decide to brush the watch, brush the top surfaces and leave the vertical surfaces polished. This will give it a bit better look. So for example, if you lay the watch down on a table so the face is facing up, brush all the surfaces you see "looking at you". Do not brush the sides of the bracelet links or the sides of the case. This will give it a nice look contrasting look. And, if you decide you still want it 100% brushed, you can go ahead & do so - but I think 100% brushed would be a bit too much. But that' a personal opinion and of course everyones tasted are different.

In fact, if the dealer has a BlackBird, you will see what I mean as that is how that watch is (top surfaces brushed, side polished).

[robbi]

Hi Scott

Do you mean brush the top of the bezel and the top of the lugs but not touch the sides? Doesn't it look a bit unmatched??
Is there a picture I can see of this effect?? Pictures of the Blackbird?

[Scott D]

I wouldn't touch the bezel, I'd leave that alone.. But other than that, yes.

I don't think it'll look mismatched as most brushed watches are not 100% brushed. Most of the time a bracelet & case is brushed it'll have polished sides of the links & case. Again, very few watches are 100% brushed.

Here's the only picture I have of the Blackbird. It's really hard to tell brushed from polished in the picture, but it may give an idea. Personally, I really like a brushed watch with polished sides...


Photo credit Breitling SA

[robbi]

I just read that Breitling can change the polished bracelet and case to brushed upon request. Does anyone know if they do this? I read this at : people.timezone.com/breitling/bfaq/#C-5 [The unofficial Breitling FAQ]

So would I request this upon ordering the watch at the AD?

[Scott D]

Hey Robbi,

Well you learn something new everyday! ;D I didn't know that.. So yes, I'd assume you just have the dealer order it that way. That's definitely good information to know....