Where we find Rolex, we also have Breitling nearby. These two Swiss manufacturers are heavyweights in the world of luxury watches. Both brands can boast a long and exciting history and enjoy great popularity among watch enthusiasts and collectors. But how are these two luxury watch brands different? What differences in style and design do they present? Which of the two has the most exciting watch collection? How is each brand positioned in terms of quality and technology? How are their prices different? And how does their value evolve? In our definitive comparison between Rolex and Breitling, you will get the answers to all these questions.

Rolex and Breitling: The History

Breitling was founded by Leon Breitling in 1884. Early in the company’s history, Breitling focused on the development of timepieces, which would become the focus of his work later. In 1936, this luxury watch manufacturer began supplying in-flight clocks for British Royal Air Force aircraft. In 1942, Breitling introduced the Breitling Chronomat, a manually wound slide-rule chronograph that the United States Army Air Forces soon employed.

This iconic model is considered the predecessor of the legendary Breitling Navitimer, which was introduced in 1952 and, thanks to its complex bezel, allowed complicated calculations of fuel consumption, climb and descent rates, and average speeds. The Breitling Chronomat and the Breitling Navitimer remain part of the Breitling catalogue today and are among the most iconic watches ever. The Breitling Superocean that debuted in 1958 is also in the current collection.

Diving watches are an excellent place to start comparing an opponent’s brand. Compared to Breitling, Rolex is a relatively young brand. The company was launched in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf under the name Wilsdorf & Davis. It was not named Rolex until 1920. Innovations were not long in coming as early as 1926, Rolex introduced the Oyster, the world’s first patented waterproof watch. The watch achieved great fame when swimmer Mercedes Gleitze tried to swim across the English Channel with one on her wrist. The watch survived the attempt without suffering any damage.

The Datejust, introduced in 1945, is part of the Rolex collection to this day. One of the brand’s most famous watches is the Rolex Submariner, which was launched in 1953. This diving watch is one of the most popular of all time and the most copied and imitated watch in the world. With the GMT-Master, the Daytona and the Day-Date, the Rolex Submariner was followed by several significant models that also enjoy great popularity today. Both luxury watch manufacturers have fantastic reputations in their sector. With its numerous pilot watches, we could call Breitling the king of the skies, while Rolex, with its Oyster case, would take the title of king of the seas.

The Breitling Navitimer is one of the most iconic watches of all time.

What Collections And Models Do They Offer?

Both luxury watch manufacturers have a wide selection of collections and models. In the case of Breitling, the Navitimer and Chronomat lines are the most notable. Currently, both models are available in countless sizes and colours; There is something for all tastes. I find the 40mm Chronomat GMT particularly successful, offering the perfect symbiosis between the design of a tool watch and the feel of a luxury model. In addition, today it can be purchased for less than €5,000. However, my favourite Breitling watch is the Breitling Avenger. This pilot’s watch has the perfect Breitling DNA and presents a raw and uncompromising look. If you want a chronograph that looks less like a tool watch, I recommend the Breitling Premier.

And what does your opponent offer? The Rolex catalogue is full of popular models. The Rolex Submariner is the diving watch par excellence, while the GMT-Master generates enormous fascination among watch enthusiasts, especially the Pepsi variant. And the Daytona hasn’t lost any legendary status, even 60 years after its launch. But I’m especially drawn to Rolex’s elegant watches, like the Datejust and Day-Date. They are even more luxurious than this manufacturer’s tool watches.

The Rolex Submariner has become the diving watch par excellence.

Rolex Vs. Breitling: Design And Style

The design language of these two manufacturers is hugely different. Although Breitling now makes smaller versions of its best-seller, as well as fantastic watches for women, Rolex’s rival is primarily known for its rugged, uncompromising men’s watches, with a fundamental focus on functionality and handling. In the Breitling catalogue, you can find some watches with a more than 43 mm diameter. On the other hand, Rolex watches have a somewhat more minimalist design and offer the perfect balance between functionality and style. A Submariner looks great with jeans and a T-shirt and a suit or swimsuit. Larger watches, such as the Sea-Dweller, are also represented in Rolex’s collection, but less frequently than in its competitor’s. Despite the “41” in its name, watches like the Datejust 41 or the Oyster Perpetual 41 have an actual diameter of 39.5 mm, and even in the year 2023, the Daytona still has not surpassed 40 mm.

Rolex designs are more durable than Breitling designs. While the crown brand only carefully introduces changes, Breitling is much more daring with its experiments. The Breitling Navitimer logo, for example, has already been changed a few times, and the Breitling Superocean just received a complete redesign. But in the end, Rolex and Breitling also have a common element in their design language and style: both brands decorate even their tool watches with numerous polished surfaces. This gives the pieces an irresistible shine and clarifies that we are looking at luxury watches with high-end finishes.

Typical Breitling: rough, big, and uncompromising.

Which Brand Is Better In Terms Of Quality And Technology?

On a qualitative level, both luxury watch brands know how to conquer us and offer exactly what we can expect from a luxury watch: know-how, high-end finishes and a magnificent touch. Although both make their watches mechanically, the characteristic feel of a Rolex remains almost unattainable. It provides a special touch compared to its competitor. Whether you’re manipulating the bezel of a Rolex dive watch, operating the clasp, or turning the crown, any action provides the perfect feel. Playing with a Rolex is almost more enjoyable than wearing it.

Rolex is also slightly ahead of Breitling when it comes to calibres, at least in terms of prestige: while Rolex has offered all of its watches, without exception, with an in-house calibre since the beginning of the 21st century, Breitling also uses some external manufacturers. The calibre B-20, for example, which beats inside the Breitling Superocean Heritage, is a Tudor calibre modified by the brand for its diving watch.

Touch is one of the biggest arguments for buying a Rolex.

What About Pricing And Value Retention?

Regarding prices, Rolex watches are sometimes more expensive. This becomes evident when comparing the prices of two watches: while the current variant of the Breitling Navitimer B01 43 with a steel bracelet has a list price of €9,150, the current Rolex Daytona costs €14,840.

This difference is even more marked when we consider the market prices of both watches. Unfortunately, neither you nor I can walk into the nearest Rolex boutique and walk out with the coveted Daytona on our wrist. This is due to the scarcity of the model, but also to its high price of more than €30,000. On the contrary, you can purchase the Breitling Navitimer with the features mentioned in the previous paragraph starting at around €7,000. This strikingly reflects the preservation of value of these two luxury watch brands. But don’t worry, even if they won’t bring you big profits, Breitling favourites like the Navitimer are stable in value and can be resold quickly if you want to look for something new.

Currently, a Rolex Daytona costs more than €30,000 on the open market.

Rolex Vs. Breitling: Which Brand Is Better?

Both luxury watchmakers are among the favourite brands of watch enthusiasts, and with good reason. Both enjoy a long tradition as well as a fascinating and impressive history. Although Rolex has more well-known models, some icons, such as the Breitling Navitimer or the Breitling Chronomat, are also among the most important watches of all time. In terms of overall quality and value maintenance, Rolex leads the way, but I wouldn’t dare name a winner, because their designs and styles couldn’t be more different. If you like uncompromising tool watches, Breitling surely has more to offer. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more minimalist watch with a certain prestige, Rolex should be your first choice. But in most cases, both luxury watch brands are a must-have for collectors and watch enthusiasts alike.