The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Not to stir the pot too much...well ok a little.

Seems like there is major heartache with the bezel and lots of Tag references. Yet a good deal of you love the IWC Aqua Timer. I see a lot of similarities in both of those bezels.

Could all of your issues really be with the name and history of "Colt"? Perhaps if they had done away with the Colt like the did the steelfish and come out with a new watch rather than using the Colt name you might not be so collectively down on it? Full disclosure my wife had a new colt and loves it. Wears it more than her Cartier Roadster. As long as she likes it I guess that is all that matters. I don't hate the new colt, not my all time favorite Breitling either but I think there is a bit of over reacting here. The outright hatred for it seems unwarranted. That all white SO or the red chrono is a lot worse than that Colt. Perhaps it is all in the name, thoughts?

Could not disagree more on the name being the issue - Colt is a classic name for Breitling (now ruined).

As for the comparison with the IWC Aquatimer bezel, I don't see the similarity beyond the fact that both are round (well, roundish in hte case of the Colt).

With the Colt, it's not just the bezel that is the shape of the water valve, the case is too. Not so with the IWC. That makes a difference, although I'm not a fan of the IWC either with the mishmash of colors, but it's not as offensive as the Colt design IMHO. That being said, if you or your wife or anyone likes the design, more power to you. I guess if Breitling keeps this design going, it means folks like the change. I just personally don't.

I personally also don't care that they still call it the Colt, as even if they called it a different model, I'd still think it's a not so attractive Breitling. Again, that's just one man's opinion.

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18k Rolex Datejust / Breitling Crosswind Special / Patek SS Nautilus / Bvlgari Diagono Chrono / Bvlgari Scuba / Omega Speedmaster Professional / 60s Omega Constellation

You're entitled to your opinion, but I do not feel my disgust at the model is unwarranted. Sorry to diss on your wife's favorite watch, but I really think it's an ugly POS, and just one more sign of how Breitling has lost its way.

Regarding the Aquatimer, to quote Spinal Tap, "there's a fine line between stupid and clever." I can see certain similarities between the two models, but it's the differences that make all the, well, difference. Just a few I notice off the top of my head:

- The notches on the Aquatimer bezel are just on the bezel, and don't extend to the case. This indicates a functional use, rather than (stupidly) gratuitous styling, as in the Colt. The Aquatimer notches are also more understated - again, an indication of functionality, rather than styling.

- The scaling in the Auatimer bezel is easier to read and decipher at a glance, and is fully lumed under a sapphire overlay. The Colt's scaling is counterintuitive. I won't ding points for the lack of bezel lume or the fact it's a metal bezel, but it's still not as cool.

- The Aquatimer dial is simple and easy to read, with robust hands, outstanding lume, and a matching date wheel. The Colt dial is a mess, with the oversized, asymmetrical numerals, and the god-awful '80s Tron-style lines. The Colt's lume is also inferior, and Breitling once again couldn't be bothered to match the date wheel.

- The Aquatimer's bracelet is very nicely done, and the end pieces integrate beautifully in the case. Breitling is intent on pushing their non-integrating bracelet design, as already done on the Chronomat and the B4B lines. On the latter two, I like it; on the Colt, I'm so-so on it. I like it less the more I look at it. The bracelet itself is - meh.

A while back, somebody posted a poll here, asking people to choose between the Aquatimer and the Steelfish. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of the SF. I suspect, though, if it were between the Aquatimer and the new Colt, the Aquatimer would win hands down.

That is exactly my point...or I am missing yours. Had they called it the XYZ and not the Colt would there be perhaps a tad less dislike for it? Dislike yes, but so much? It is so drastically different why not just introduce a "new" watch all together?

JacksonStone, I am with you on the Colt bracelet. Not a fan nor is my wife. She has it on a blue OR and when she saw pix of the bracelet she said no way would she want both. As for the other points of IWC I was specifically talking about the "sprinkler faucet" scallop shape, should have poointed that out I guess. I agree with most of your other points.

For me my biggest gripe with the Colt is the SQ over automatic.

Oh, right - I forgot about that.

I misunderstood, I though that you meant that the Colt was a 'poor man's Breitling' as has been suggedsted before.

I'll start off with the fact that I happen to own and LOVE my Colt 44 Chrono.
I'll end with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxra2Nn7K9Y

The first page of this thread had me laughing out loud. Thanks Breitling designers and New Colt. I needed a good laugh!!

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Regards,

Peter

BREITLING for Bentley Motors T & Mark VI, Aerospace
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Aw, snap! Allow me to retort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FwVchT4M0k.

And please continue to do so and ignore our views here and certainly do not let us influence your joy.
Ultimately, no matter what, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that is all that matters.
I hope you continue to love it for years to come!!!

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Fixed it for you.

I agree. I think if they'd brought this out under a new name, the collective reaction here would have been closer to "meh . . . don't love it, don't hate it, way overpriced."

I've seen this at my AD and let's just say it's not the most offensive Breitling in the dealer's showcase. At least that hated bezel has a pip, brushed finish, and reasonably subdued font . . . and no rubber to be found anywhere.

To be clear, I'm not defending this model, just suggesting a little perspective.

Fair observations. I think where I go from "meh" to disgust is with the radiating lines on the dial, and the case nodules. Absent those, and it's just a design that doesn't do a whole lot for me. And yeah, the absence of rubber and obnoxious colors is a plus, but if that's the best thing there is to say about the Colts - that they don't suck quite as hard as some of the other hated Breitlings - that's a pretty sad commentary on the both the model and the brand.

Yeah, that's basically what I was saying. Thus, the time we spend beating up on the Colt 44 seems disproportionate compared to the even more egregious transgressions in the AD's showcase.

As for those case "nodules" that echo the bezel shape, I've warmed to that design and actually find it rather interesting (there's no rule a case has to be a uniform circle).

If they'd change the name, lose the radiating lines and offer an automatic version, I wouldn't regard this model as a failure. Flame away!

Man, I almost bought the Colt as my first Breitling. I think that I would have felt awful about it now.

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