Breda is an up-and-coming American watch brand that has been gaining attention for its stylish designs and affordable prices. Founded by sibling watchmakers Amir and Shabeena Meghani in 2009, Breda aims to create contemporary timepieces anchored in self-expression and inclusion.
But are Breda watches actually any good? In this in-depth review, I‘ll take a close look at Breda‘s history, most popular models, customer reviews, policies, and more to help you decide if a Breda watch is right for you. Let‘s dive in!
About Breda Watches
Brand History & Mission
Before starting Breda, siblings Amir and Shabeena Meghani came from a long line of watchmakers. Their family had been in the watch business for generations in the Middle East. Combining this inherited expertise with their own passion for fashion and design, the duo founded Breda Watches in Dallas, Texas in 2009.
From the beginning, Breda‘s mission has been to make high-quality, stylish watches accessible to everyone. The brand is built on core values of inclusivity, self-expression, and constant evolution. They achieve this by:
- Collaborating with a diverse range of artists and designers
- Offering a wide variety of styles to suit all tastes
- Keeping prices affordable
- Promoting creativity and starting conversations through watches
Today, Breda has grown into a popular lifestyle watch brand with over 130,000 followers on Instagram and features in major magazines like Cosmopolitan and Complex. Still based in Dallas, the company continues to launch fresh new designs for the modern watch wearer.
Breda Watch Collections
Breda offers a range of watch collections for both men and women. While the brand‘s overall aesthetic leans minimal and contemporary, the style and features vary between collections.
Virgil
The Virgil is one of Breda‘s all-time bestsellers. It has a clean rectangular case and a genuine leather band embossed with a lizard pattern. The watch face features stick indexes and a sub-dial. It‘s versatile and easy to dress up or down.
Specs:
- Case size: 26mm x 33mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Band material: Genuine leather
- Band width: 20mm
- Water resistance: 3 ATM
Jane
The elegant Jane collection draws inspiration from both the seaside and nights out. It features an oval case with a mother of pearl dial and slim metal band. The unique shape and pearlescent face make it eye-catching and feminine.
Specs:
- Case size: 23mm x 28 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Band material: Stainless steel
- Band width: 12mm
- Water resistance: 3 ATM
Esther
For a bolder look, the square Esther watch features a striking brushed metal dial with stick indexes. The band comes in either mesh or link metal. It‘s a classic yet contemporary take on a boyfriend-style watch.
Specs:
- Case size: 26mm x 26mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Band material: Stainless steel
- Band width: 20 mm
- Water resistance: 3 ATM
Ronnie
For men, the Ronnie collection takes the minimalist design up a notch with a fully brushed metal case and matching link band. The larger 40mm face makes a statement while still maintaining sleek lines. There‘s also an option with a black face and band.
Specs:
- Case size: 40mm x 40mm
- Case material: Brushed alloy
- Band material: Alloy
- Band width: 20mm
- Water resistance: 3 ATM
Quality & Style
So how do Breda watches actually look and feel? Overall, the quality exceeds expectations for watches in this affordable price range.
All the watches I‘ve handled have had a nice weight to them and feel solidly constructed. The stainless steel and alloy cases are well-finished without any rough edges. I especially like the brushed metal dials on styles like the Esther, which provide visual texture.
The genuine leather bands are supple and comfortable to wear all day. They feel more premium than the faux leather you often find on other fashion watches. The lizard embossing on the Virgil and Visser bands is also a luxe touch.
In terms of style, Breda offers a great balance of classic and contemporary elements. Many of the designs take inspiration from vintage watches but reimagine them in fresh modern materials and colorways.
The dainty Jane is an updated take on a retro cocktail watch, while the Esther puts an edgy spin on the popular boyfriend watch trend. Men‘s watches like the Belmont combine the simplicity of a field watch with industrial brushed metal.
By collaborating with outside artists and designers, Breda is able to capture current trends while still putting out timeless pieces. The brand‘s minimal aesthetic makes the watches extremely versatile for styling and gifting. There really is something for every fashion sensibility.
Pricing
One of the biggest selling points of Breda is the affordable price point. Most of their watches retail between $90-$150, with a few premium models over $200.
Compared to other popular minimalist watch brands like MVMT or Daniel Wellington, Breda offers similar or arguably better quality at a lower price. You can snag a genuine leather or stainless steel Breda watch for under $100 – a steal for accessories of this caliber.
Of course, Breda watches won‘t have the same premium materials or complex movements as luxury watches that cost hundreds or thousands more. But for fashionable daily wear, they provide incredible value. Financing through Klarna also makes it easy to spread out the cost of pricier models interest-free.
Customer Reviews
To gauge how well Breda watches perform in the real world, I analyzed customer reviews from the brand‘s website and third-party platforms. The overall sentiment was quite positive:
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On Breda‘s website, most watches had average ratings of 4.5/5 stars or higher. Standout models included the Virgil with 4.5/5 stars from 21 reviews, the Jane with 4.4/5 stars from 149 reviews, and the Esther with 4.5/5 stars from 94 reviews.
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Customers frequently complimented the watches‘ stylish looks, comfortable fit, and solid quality. Many said the watches exceeded their expectations and were even nicer in person than online. Fans loved how lightweight and easy to wear the watches were for daily use.
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On external sites, Breda earned 3.3/5 stars on Facebook and 3.4/5 stars on Trustpilot. While still positive overall, reviews here were more mixed. Some criticism came from international customers who experienced long delivery times or missing orders. A few people also had issues with watches breaking prematurely. However, the Breda customer service team seemed responsive in replying to comments and resolving problems.
Based on this snapshot, Breda watches seem to deliver on their promise of affordable quality and style for most wearers. No watch brand is without faults, but the vast majority of customers are happy with their Breda timepieces.
Shipping & Returns
Breda offers worldwide shipping, with free standard shipping in the US for orders over $150 (otherwise a $10 flat rate). Domestic delivery typically takes 7-10 business days but you can upgrade to 2-day express for $20.
International buyers can choose from Economy and Priority shipping options calculated by location. Currently the brand does not cover all customs fees through their shipping rates, so you may owe import duties at delivery.
Breda accepts returns within 14 days in original condition. US orders only pay a $10 shipping fee, while international returns are subject to shipping and processing fees based on location. Refunds are issued back to the original payment method.
One downside is that Breda does not currently offer exchanges, only returns. Other than that, their shipping and return policies are fairly standard. Check the website or contact their customer service if you need assistance with an international order.
Warranty & Repairs
All Breda watches are covered by a 1 year warranty against manufacturing defects from the date of purchase. This is a nice perk to have for the price. The warranty does not include accidental damage, scratches, or wear and tear.
If you experience an issue with your watch, you can email Breda‘s support team. According to reviews, most people found their customer service helpful. The team can either walk you through DIY solutions or advise on the warranty claims process.
For repairs outside the warranty window, Breda has a mail-in service center that can assess your watch and provide a quote. Typical fixes like battery replacements start around $15 before shipping. This is a great option to have for extending the life of your watch.
Pros & Cons
To sum it all up, here are the key pros and cons of buying a Breda watch:
Pros
- Stylish, minimal designs for men and women
- Quality genuine leather and stainless steel materials
- Affordable prices under $150
- Versatile for daily wear and gifting
- 1 year warranty
- Responsive customer service
- Financing available through Klarna
Cons
- Some quality control issues reported
- Longer ship times and import duties for international orders
- No exchanges, only returns
Overall, Breda delivers fashionable and giftable watches at an incredible value. While not at the level of fine Swiss timepieces, they offer solid quality and style for the price. You‘ll be hard-pressed to find a better selection of chic, modern watches for under $150.
The classic designs are perfect for everyday casual wear or adding some refinement to an evening look. And their versatile, gender-neutral style makes them a no-brainer for gifting. With a wide range of options, there‘s a Breda watch for every taste and occasion.
The Verdict
So, are Breda watches actually any good? I give them a resounding yes – Breda offers some of the best value out there for stylish, everyday watches.
What you get is sleek, contemporary designs in surprisingly nice quality materials (think genuine leather, stainless steel, brushed metals). It‘s all at an affordable price point that belies the premium look and feel.
Of course, you have to have realistic expectations for a sub-$200 fashion watch. Breda‘s watches are not heirloom collectibles and a few customers have experienced defects or damage. But the 1-year warranty and friendly customer service provide reassurance.
At the end of the day, Breda watches make it easy to put your best wrist forward without breaking the bank. If you‘re looking for a fairly-priced fashion watch you‘ll actually love wearing every day, Breda is the brand for you.
Shop Breda Watches
Ready to strap on a stylish new Breda watch? The best place to shop is directly on BreidaWatches.com for the full collection. You can score 15% off your first order when you sign up for the Breda newsletter. Students also get a 15% discount sitewide.
Breda offers better prices, more styles, and easier returns when you buy from their official website. But you can also find select models at Nordstrom and other authorized retailers. Either way, get ready to up your wrist game!
Do you own a Breda watch? Let me know about your experience with the brand in the comments below! If you found this review helpful, be sure to share it with your watch-loving friends.
