What do you do?

[SigmaPi]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

In my youth, I was a Fleet Aviator (F4 Phantom B and N variants) and lots of the older guys sported Breitlings, mostly Navitimers. Of couse as a jg, or LT., I couldn't afford one.

But, the USAF Thunderbirds, USN Blue Angels, RAF Red Arrows, and the Italian Frecce Tricolori all wear the Breitling Aerospace (albeit with a proprietary Face).

I ended my Navy Career as a LT. Cmdr., MOS 7595, based at the Naval Flight Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, and did so with a Breitling Cosmonaute on my wrist, and I wasn't the only one, so I would have to respectfully disagree. Breitlings are highly regarded in the flying community.

I don't dispute that the E6B is a fine instrument either, but it wasn't around in my time...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim,

Thanks for the reply; I have been unable to confirm one way or the other if at least my Air Force folk wear them. I have always heard stories from folks that pilots in general, or the demo pilots received some sort of fancy watch. I can tell you it's not standard for regular Air Force pilots. Since our lawmakers in all their wisdom have decided to reduce our Air Force by 40,000 troops, it would be pretty irresponsible to keep handing out a multi-thousand dollar watch for which there is no need. Even if some do have one, I will bet my paycheck (small as it is) they don't use it for flight planning.

[Brucelee]

I like the idea of a good fake Rolex.

[Perfectlap]

^I nearly bought one, this 17 year old looking kid on street was selling one in a Rolex box, with papers,etc. saying it was hot from a very well known large scale operation nearby (I'll just say the word "corner" is in the retailer's name). He wanted to quickly unload it for a couple hundred dollars. Your typical NYC street hustler wearing lots of "bling" of his own. A $3K watch for $200?
Hmm....
I checked it out and it sure as hell did look real and the papers and box were all very convincing. Then I noticed we were standing next to some fountains and I told him to toss the watch into the fountain and stand near it while I went to the ATM to get the cash. He didn't go for it and smiled

Bruce, some one told me they bought a Rolex made up from orginal Rolex replacement parts. An unathorized Rolex if you will. Just as tempermental as the
the real McCoy. That's sort of a fake Bolex right?

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I like the idea of a good fake Rolex.

Hi,

There's lots of them out there, Seiko, Pulsar and several other manufacturers make lookalikes which are so close, you sometimes need to take a 2nd look.

One thing I found funny, was back in the '80s, I saw some FBI Crime statistics, and for whatever year I was looking at, it listed 13,000 personal assaults nationwide to people wearing Rolex Watches which were stolen in the assault. There was an addendum which stated that some 9,000+ of these were knock-offs...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Brucelee]

One thing I found funny, was back in the '80s, I saw some FBI Crime statistics, and for whatever year I was looking at, it listed 13,000 personal assaults nationwide to people wearing Rolex Watches which were stolen in the assault. There was an addendum which stated that some 9,000+ of these were knock-offs..."

Too funny!

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by SigmaPi

Jim,

Thanks for the reply; I have been unable to confirm one way or the other if at least my Air Force folk wear them. I have always heard stories from folks that pilots in general, or the demo pilots received some sort of fancy watch. I can tell you it's not standard for regular Air Force pilots. Since our lawmakers in all their wisdom have decided to reduce our Air Force by 40,000 troops, it would be pretty irresponsible to keep handing out a multi-thousand dollar watch for which there is no need. Even if some do have one, I will bet my paycheck (small as it is) they don't use it for flight planning.

Hi,

Yea, most of the Flying Watch Manufacturers produce a Precision Team Commemorative, and they give these to the members of the Team, to validate it I suppose. Most of them however are sold to civilian wannabes. Breitling on the other hand, only produces these for the Teams, they sell the same watch to the public, but absent the proprietary face.

Back in the 80's, I was one of the Asst. Dirs. of the Chicago Air & Water Show, annually one of the biggest Airshows in the Country. As such, I got to attend the Pilot Socials, daily briefings, and even got a seat occaisionally in one of the few VIP hops they made available. I have often seen the Team members wearing these Breitling watches. The current one, the Aerospace, which I own, while an extremely good watch, makes a pretty lousy flight computer...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99