LogFAQs > #975673712

It's very hard to say but I'd say all 3 brands are roughly on the same level. Breitling has different price brackets within their brand. Their models they have in their catalog which use their manufacture caliber B01 are in the upper price bracket within their brand. They reserve the B01 for Navitimers, Premiers, Chronomats, and a few more. I personally do not see IWC's chronographs as superior to Breitling's chronographs, in fact I'd say the Breitling in-house chronographs are a league above IWC despite being lower in price.

IWC has been trying to establish themselves as a premier brand above the likes of Omega and Breitling, but to be completely honest I see them as inferior. They use mainly Val Fleurier movements, which are relatively affordable movements acquired through their own group's movement manufacturer. They use Val Fleurier to make movements for Panerai and entry level Vacheron Constantins as well amongst others.

If we're talking about Breitling's entry level models, which use ETA movements, Kenissi movements, or Sellita movements, I'd say IWC is on par or possibly slightly above in terms of quality, finishing etc. But they are priced accordingly, in fact, IWC's watches are prices well into the 5 digits. Some of their 8 day power reserve big pilots (46mm diameter) are sold for around what a Rolex Daytona costs at retail, which I'm sorry if you like IWC - it's a shameless ripoff.

Onto the subject of Omega. Omega is a fantastic value for money brand, but their prices have been creeping up since the pandemic. Their Speedmaster Professionals have seen 3 price increases ever since they updated it with the new 3861 movement. Luckily the 3861 was a very worthy upgrade:

-Brand new anti magnetic movement
-Coaxial escapement
-Superior bracelet which got a quick adjustment clasp system introduced in January this year
-Slightly more refined case design
-Higher quality dial
-Better finishing on the movement

These are reasons you won't hear me complaining about Omega's price increase from 2021. The further price increases since 2021, while annoying are still within a range where I don't see how anyone can call them greedy. This is unlike IWC and many other brands within Richemont - where humungous prince increases have happened despite not increasing the quality or even sometims DECREASING the quality! I'm looking at you Panerai!!

So all in all. I think in Breitling's case, it really matters which models we're looking at. If we're looking at models with the B01 movement, I see those Breitlings on the level of Omega watches. IWC on the other hand, I see them as inferior to both brands despite being more expensive! In the end, quality aside, you should get what you want. If you just like the look of the IWC, then that's the watch for you. All I can speak about is the value for money for what you actually get. Omega on the other hand compared to Breitling has a way more consistent quality in terms of case and movement finishing, dial quality, packaging, bracelet, clasp, reliability etc. All of their watches (save for a few insane pieces with productions of less than 20 pieces a year) have a very similar level of quality with price differences due to complications rather than using lesser quality / non in house movements for certain models like the way Breitling does it. On this subject btw. I have it on a good source that Breitling will soon stop using non in house movements and will (finally) develop non chronograph manufacture calibers instead of purchasing from different movement manufacturers like they've been doing since decades.