Zodiac, Breitling, Emporio Up to Specs at an Array of Prices
Posted in articles&news on Mar 10th, 2012 No Comments »
By: Alexis Poole
Zodiac is a brand that many adventurists hold in high regard. Similar to Breitling, Zodiac embodies the features anyone rugged would find useful in a watch. With price points at an attainable $ 700-900, Zodiac watches are the best choice for timepieces that can survive just about anything.
Faces of Zodiac's Collection of Rugged Watches
The popular Racer collection of Swiss-made Zodiac watches features a variety of chronographs with exposed lugs, oversized faces, and stopwatch pushers that resemble the pedals of a car. Popular in racing circuits, the Zodiac Racer offers 7 different styles of ion-plated grey, black or silver stainless steel and titanium cases contained by either rubber or stainless steel wrist bands.
Made with similar materials, rugged styling, and with surprisingly fewer standard features, the Breitling Colt Chronograph (below, right) and the Breitling SuperOcean Heritage Chronograph range from $ 3850-$ 5650. Neither Brietling uses titanium or any precious metal and neither chronographs are standard so if you find those features useful for whatever you do, you’d have to pay extra for it.
(L) Breitling Colt Chronographe, $ 3850; (R) SuperOcean Heritage Chronographe, $ 5650
Zodiac’s Special Ops collection has illuminating LED backlight around the dial and behind each accent so you can even see your watch in the dark, perfect for those Swiss-timed stealth missions. Besides the price, the only stark difference between the Zodiac and the Breitling is certification. Breitling’s self-winding movement is officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, which is the French acronym for the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. Breitling is also water-resistant up to 660 feet. Zodiac’s Diver collection features 16 styles that all get 20 ATM or better.
Now if you’re after something a bit more stylish, Emporio Armani timepieces offer the name brand, some decent features all at a price below Zodiac. The Emporio Armani Sportivo watch offers 20 different styles ranging from ion-plated stainless steel to an array of colors matched with silicone or steel bands. Two silicone-banded models are water-resistant up to 20 ATM–yes, the same 660 feet Breitlings get. From $ 300-475 the Sportivo Emporio Armani watches rely more on the brand’s namesake than anything else and is more fashion-focused. While the silicone bands and designs are sports-inspired, the Sportivo line only offers two models that have water-resistance that many adventurists look for and none of them have chronographs.
Sportivo handles 660 feet depth and flaunts the Armani label too.
Of the three sports watches, Zodiac combines fashion and function with chronographs fitted with unique pushers, LED backlighting, rugged appeal and a water resistance that can take you beyond all human limits. The Breitling does the same thing, but is water resistant up to 660 feet and is COSC-certified. But all that comes at a hefty $ 5000 price tag and again, you’ll have to pay extra for the chronograph that comes on all but a few Zodiacs. COSC-certified or not, the Swiss-made Zodiac is the best buy that boasts it’s own unique style and rugged construction that can take it as you take on the elements.