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Breitling Chronomat vs Timex Waterbury

Side-by-side comparison of specifications and features

Breitling Chronomat — Black dial, steel case
BreitlingChronomat
Timex Waterbury — White dial, steel case
TimexWaterbury

Key Differences

Best Value
Timex Waterbury (Automatic 34)
Starting from $274
Best Water Resistance
Breitling Chronomat (32mm)
100m (2x more)
Biggest Price Drop
Timex Waterbury (Automatic 34)
-5.0% in 30 days

Price Comparison

Breitling Chronomat
MSRP
$7,000
New
$4,380
Used
$2,861
Timex Waterbury
MSRP
$249
New
$274
Used
$123
MSRP New (Amazon) Used (eBay)
Comparison of Breitling Chronomat, Timex Waterbury
Specification
Chronomat
Waterbury
Pricing
MSRP$7,000$249
New Price$4,380$274
Used Price (Low)$2,861$123
Used Price (High)$15,293$162
30-Day Trend-2.0%-5.0%
Used Price Range$2,861 - $15,293$123 - $162
Identity
Reference32mmAutomatic 34
NicknameN/AN/A
StyleSports, LuxuryCasual, Dress
Release Era2000s2010s
Dimensions
Diameter32mm34mm
ThicknessN/AN/A
Lug WidthN/AN/A
Lug to LugN/AN/A
Movement
MovementQuartzAutomatic
Power Reserve / BatteryN/AN/A
AccuracyN/AN/A
Case
Case MaterialStainless SteelStainless Steel
CrystalSapphire CrystalMineral Crystal
Water Resistance100m (recreational diving)50m (swimming)
BezelFixedFixed
Dial
Dial ColorBlackWhite
LuminousYesNo
Community
Review RatingN/AN/A
In CollectionsN/AN/A
On WishlistsN/AN/A
Forum ThreadsN/AN/A

Quick Summary

Breitling Chronomat and Timex Waterbury can look close on a spec sheet, yet the tradeoffs that matter most are usually mechanical feel versus low-maintenance convenience, wrist presence versus easier fit, water-ready utility versus dressier everyday wear. Start with fit first — case width and lug-to-lug usually matter more than secondary features if wrist comfort is a concern.

How to choose

The biggest practical difference is usually movement and upkeep. Start with wrist fit and movement preference, then use water resistance and price to break the tie.

Breitling Chronomat

Breitling Chronomat is a better fit for smaller wrists, low-maintenance daily wear, sports styling.

Timex Waterbury

Timex Waterbury is a better fit for buyers who want more wrist presence, mechanical-watch enthusiasts, casual styling.

Key Differences

Movement and upkeep

Breitling Chronomat: quartz movement

Timex Waterbury: automatic movement

Breitling Chronomat uses a quartz movement, while Timex Waterbury uses a automatic movement — that changes day-to-day ownership, upkeep, and the overall feel on the wrist.

Size and wearability

Breitling Chronomat: 32mm

Timex Waterbury: 34mm

Fit is a real separator here — compare case width and lug-to-lug before deciding, especially if wrist comfort matters more than headline features.

Water resistance

Breitling Chronomat: 100m

Timex Waterbury: 50m

Water resistance is a meaningful separator here — the higher-rated option gives more flexibility for swimming or rougher daily use.

Price and value

Breitling Chronomat: $4,380

Timex Waterbury: $274

There is a real price gap here — treat the more expensive option as an upgrade decision and confirm whether the extra spend buys something you will notice in weekly use.

Style and use case

Breitling Chronomat: sports

Timex Waterbury: casual

Breitling Chronomat leans more sports, while Timex Waterbury pulls toward casual use case — pick the one that matches how you will actually wear it.

Crystal and materials

Breitling Chronomat: sapphire crystal · steel

Timex Waterbury: mineral crystal · steel

Crystal choice can change long-term wear expectations — one may prioritize scratch resistance while the other keeps cost or vintage feel in check.

Choose Breitling Chronomat If...

  • You want a smaller case footprint on the wrist.
  • You want a lower-maintenance daily watch.
  • Swimming, beach use, or tougher daily wear is part of the plan.

Choose Timex Waterbury If...

  • You prefer more dial presence and a larger case feel.
  • You prefer a mechanical watch experience and do not mind more upkeep.
  • You are specifically shopping for a casual style watch.

Price and Value Notes

Timex Waterbury is often the value play at current pricing, while Breitling Chronomat makes more sense if you will use its extra features regularly.

There is a real price gap here — treat the more expensive option as an upgrade decision and confirm whether the extra spend buys something you will notice in weekly use.

Where to Check Deals

Check current deals on Amazon and eBay using the buttons below — listing prices, seller quality, and condition can change quickly.

Check current deals on Amazon and eBay

Prices change often, so compare the latest listings and condition options before you buy.

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Breitling Chronomat

Check Price on AmazonOpens in new tab · Price may vary
Check Price on eBayFrom $3771 · Live listings

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Timex Waterbury

Check Price on AmazonOpens in new tab · Price may vary
Check Price on eBayFrom $143 · Live listings

Affiliate links — WatchCompared earns a commission on qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect your price.

Comparison FAQ

Which movement is easier to live with day to day?

Quartz and solar models are usually easier for grab-and-go use, while automatic and manual watches appeal more to buyers who enjoy the mechanical side of watch ownership.

Which one is better for smaller wrists?

Start with case width and lug-to-lug. The watch that looks smaller on paper is often the safer choice, but lug shape and thickness still affect how it wears.

Which is better for swimming or rough daily wear?

Use the water resistance row as the first filter. Higher ratings generally give more flexibility for swimming and water exposure, but strap choice and overall condition still matter.

Should I choose based on price alone?

Price matters, but the better buy is the watch that matches your fit, feature priorities, and use case. Check live listings first, then decide whether the price gap actually changes the ownership experience.

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