The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Newbie here, first post on this site, and here we go.

I am a Navitimer fan, and I have various brands in my little collection. I haven't really caught on to the big heavy case watches yet, though I am warming to the Hercules with a white face. Of all that style of Breitlings, the Blackbird is the one I would like to own. There are so many chronographs with the same sub-register layouts, but that big date front and center with the big brand identifier there gets my attention and keeps it. To me the Blackbird has an elegance that it's bretheren lack.

I'll toss this out as a suggestion, and see if anybody has thoughts on it. Is the Blackbird, in addition to being a great looking mid (I guess now) to larger case watch, the big case watch for the Navitimer and Chronomat fans? It is, at least for me.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

I have both and for me the Navi is a more classic look where the Blackbird is a more contemporary style. I have stated before that if I could only have one it would be the Blackbird. Water resistance is part of it and the heavier case seems to me to be more durable. I also find that when I put the Blackbird on the croc it fits my suit look also.
It also comes back to what you like. I wear them both, I like them both.
Best health, Frank

Blackbird for me!

I have mine for sale, and unfortunately parting with it is part of my budget for next month which will be a rough one for me... but I'm trying to find a way to keep it!

But don't feel sorry for me just yet, I'm getting a 6.75. (But still love the BB!)

The Blackbird has the same case as the current generation Chronomat (Evo), so I'm not sure the question is applicable in that sense; in other words, if you already like the Evo, it isn't any kind of a stretch to also like the Blackbird. As for being the choice for Navi fans, who can say? Everybody's taste is different.

Maybe because it has sport-style numbers on the bezel and has a little more of the sport watch style on the dial that I think of the Blackbird more like an Avenger cousin than a Chronomat cousin. Also, most I have seen are the brushed finish rather than polished. But maybe the shared case still looks less foreign. Whatever the case, it's a great looking watch, and the blue face with polished surface is really attractive.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

The Blackbird is a Chronomat variant, not an Avenger variant. The quickest clue is the fact that it is part of the Windrider line, rather than the Aeromarine line. The lineage bears this out: up until the most recent generation, the Blackbird was simply a Chronomat with an all-black matte dial, brushed finish, and with faceted links on the bracelet. It had the same case, dial layout, features, and movement as a Chronomat. With the latest generation, that's not strictly true anymore, because the Blackbird now has a different movement to accomodate the big date feature. Still, it can be considered a direct sibling of the Chronomat - more than just a cousin. It is certainly closer to a Chronomat than to an Avenger.

I think I'm in the young crowd (although i saw a few 16 years olds on the "age poll"), and i have two navitimers. I love, them. I also have a super avenger. I think the World is a bit flashier on the wrist then a SA. The reason is the navitimer is a comparable size, and attracts the eye more because its bezel does not have the presence of the SA. I might sound stupid but it makes sense to me.

I know I'm in the old crowd.
I wear my BB+ on the inside of my left wrist. It's my time, do not care if anyone notices my watches, they are for me.

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"