The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Well with the particular reference to moderators in the first post I guess that I need to respond because I would appear to be a target.

Over the years I have expressed my opinions on the designs, but don't feel that I repeatedly slam or cheer for any particular era / model - happy to see examples of my being "bitter with an aspect of most new Breitling watches". I responded to a question last week about what was meant by the "Buck Rogers" bezel and said that it referenced the 1970s style of the font - that's (to me) an objective response - the font is reminiscent of a Buck Rogers / 1970s science fiction type font - whether that is good or bad is for others to determine.

I have a tremendous love for Breitling as a brand and own a number of Breitlings from many different eras - none of which I will ever sell. I also try to provide information when questions are asked in an objective way - if that's repetitive then it's because people find it easier to ask questions over and over rather than search to see whether it has already been addressed.

I also have opinions, and I see no reason why I shouldn't express them. As a moderator virtually everything I do will offend someone and over the years I have been accused of not having enough opinions and of having too many, of being too restrictive and too lenient - such is life and I'm not losing any sleep over it.

As others have noted this is a community and we are lucky to be able to take part in discussions with a fair amount of freedom (especially compared to other forums). I'll continue to offer opinions when asked, and when I feel like it's relevant to offer them - they will continue to annoy and upset some people. Such is life but I have the right to express those opinions and the right to decide for myself how much time I spend here and post.

By all means fire your opinions away. I actually agree with some. I was just curious as to the productivity of the bashing. A bit of group think I suppose

That's a fair answer. Trust me I am not offended, annoyed, or the slightest bit worked up about any if this. I didn't intend on doing that to anyone. I can respect a well thought out opinion regardless if I agree. I was purely curious as I am relatively new here but certainly have a good understanding of most watch brands.

This site has never been a "fan-boy" site per se where any kind of brand criticism of any kind results in a ban : quite the contrary in fact, and part of what appeals to a lot of members is the honesty, and the freedom to express opinions. And that's all any forum is at the end of the day - people's opinions. It's worth noting as well, that absolutely no-one here is berated for liking the new designs. I think it's just fair to say that most members here are more fans of the older designs. I just seems to be the demographic we have here.

Also, true fans of a brand are (perversely) often the most vocal about the things they don't like. Take the Rolex Deepsea for example. Most general watch fans seem to agree that the Deepsea was quite a refreshing departure for Rolex. But take a look at a few Rolex forums when it first came out, and you'd think that Rolex had just dumped a million tons of crude oil on a beach somewhere, such was the vitriol for it from the die-hard Rolex fanatics. Imagine if Rolex had suddenly introduced a range of multicoloured, rubber cloaked pieces overnight.......

From a personal perspective, I came to Breitling many years ago when I loved pretty much everything they made. That love has given me an almost personal connection to the brand that has lasted for getting on for two decades. But as others have said, Breitling have made some very odd decisions both in terms of design and marketing lately that have taken them so far away from where I first fell in love with them, that it's hard not to be vocal about it. It's like having a old upstanding friend who you've known for years suddenly deciding to become a drug-dealer! You still think a lot of the friend, but hope against hope that they'll see sense and come back to being the person they were before! The last thing you want to do is either turn your back on the friend, or agree with what they're doing. (A slightly dramatic analogy, but a fairly accurate one none-the-less).

That said, I made a decision a little while back to be a little less vocal about certain aspects, so now I try to limit my comments on things I don't like, to just that.... but it is tough at times!

So should those of us who don't like the current range hang up our Breitling spurs to avoid any criticism of the current designs here? Well, that's one option. Another option is to say that maybe, just maybe, if enough people are honest about their opinions (both good and bad), Breitling might just consider it free market-research and potentially "do a Zenith", and change their direction slightly to one of evolution instead of revolution.

Lastly, as others have also said, this site is not all about the new designs. Breitling's back catalogue is also discussed here, and there are zero dessenting comments about those watches. Plus you won't find any negative comments about the Navi 01, or the TOC 01 from the new range. Why? Because they are beautiful watches that are effectively an evolution of the designs that drew many of us to the brand in the first place. Plus there are the general watch discussions and the sense of community here that I for one enjoy, even if I don't enjoy 90% of the current designs.

I totally agree that I'd rather Breitling didn't give us reason to be negative here, but to be honest I'd rather this place be like it is, rather than becoming just another fan-boy site where absolutely everything the brand does is greeted with sycophantic droolings.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

yall are a bunch of Negative Nancys!!!!!

Fan Boy!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
SHARKMAN

I would echo much of what has been written here regading the recent evolution/offerin from Breitling.

I think you will find that most of the "negative" comments made about the current offerings is because we are entusiastic about Breitling. Unfortunately, over the last few years the design of many, of what were considered to be slightly out of the ordinary, have now either been dropped from the range or, been re-fashioned into something similar to other marques. Certainly the Evo's have been likened in some way to certain TAG watches due to the later bezel design. This from my own point of veiw was a backward step. TAG's are nice watches but not something that I would say should be the "inspiration" of Breitling designers.


If I can try to explain it this way. Many years ago I saw my first Breitling (a Chronomat) and decided then that one day I would own a Breitling. When I could afford to realise my ambition I got hold of the Chronolog for that year. I have over the years obtained each successive Chronolog and all of the previous ones and then some. Each year the Chronolog would be well thumbed as (and here's the bit that references your point) in that at one point Breitling was a watch brand where (to me) every single model shown inside had some attraction. The need to satisfy my daily Breilting "fix" was easily obtained. Financially for me it was a nightmare as consequently, I have owned many Breitlings from most of the Breitling ranges of the designs offered in the 1990's and 2000's.

Unfortunately, over the last 3-4 years, still ensuring that I obtain the annual Chronolog, as I am and always will be a Breitling enthusist, I can honestly say that I have had one or two "flick throughs" of those books which then sit on the shelf. Up side for me? I've saved money. Down side for Breitling? They haven't conviced me to give them any of my recent earnings. In short, much of the range is boring and uninspiring. Further, this fixation that Breitling has with PVD coatings is frankly irritating. If I want a black watch I'll buy a G Shock or a Traser!!


This is a discussion forum, not a fan site.

If I can pick up on Roffensian's explanation of the "Buck Roger's" Bezel, it was my post that mentioned the reference. I consider it to be one of Breitling's major regressions as, the use of a font that dates back to the 1970/80's and in no way looks current or even futuristic, particularly on a watch that was the intoduction of Breitling's first 100% in house movement was, IMHO, foolish. BUT I respect the position of "each to their own" and would not for a minute criticise anyone who likes the design or owns a B01.

I must also apologise to Buck Rogers as the font is not from there but from Space 1999



Finally, and just an observation. You started a thread which appeared to make comment on the negativeness toward Breitling of certain contributors and questioned why bother to make negative comment which, by that very action, was going to elicit some form of (sometimes emotional) response. It is counter productive when you are trying to elicit a response/discussion on a discussion forum, to tell people "No need to be sensative". All they are are doing is expressing their response to someone who has just implied that they have a negative attitude to something that, in some cases, they have held an interest in for many years.

_________________

Have
B-1 Black Dial+UTC
Emergency Black+UTC

HAD
B1Vulcan+UTC
B2 Black+UTC
C.A. M1-Team SEB in the Volvo Ocean Race+UTC
Emergency Ti -Yellow+UTC
Mission -Black
Old Navitimer -RAFAT

Thanks Driver8. That was more of what I was looking for as a logical response to the post.

Unbelievable


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
SHARKMAN

I always knew you were illogical. lol

I agree with everyone who has said that they enjoy Bsource because of the freedom we have to express our opinions both positive and negative. No other watch forum that I know of gives it members as much freedom of expression as bsource.

_________________
"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Exactly, its good to hear both the positives and negatives, good opinions and bad opinions, its what makes this forum different.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

This forum is no different than other forum's I frequent. There will always be haters that seem to be vocal and often repeatative.

_________________
Breitling Chronomat 44 Evolution C13356 Rose Gold/SS
Breitling Chronomat 44 B01 LE Black Pearl Rose Gold/SS
Breitling Chronomat 44 B01 White Pearl Rose Gold/SS
Rolex Daytona TT White Face

The problem with the title and premise of this thread, as well as some of the comments, is the use of the words "Hate" and "haters."

Most of the members here truly like Breitling, me included. I, like many, many here, do not like the current offerings or the company's direction. That does not equate to hate, rather the simple discernment of individual taste.

The use of the word "hate," implies, whether intentionally or not, unreasoned disdain by others. Indeed it judges others. Discernment is neither unreasoned nor disdainful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
SHARKMAN

Hi Leonidas,

I genuinely appreciate your sentiment and, to paraphrase Leonard Coen, “I see how you’re hanging and I think I can see where you’re pinned”. If it helps, here is my opinion. It’s not always easy to see the other threads posted here with a personal “Critique” of a watch, so you are bound to see the same thing repeated by different members from time to time. I think most on this thread have expressed it here, so no point going over it again.

You also need to keep in mind that on a forum like this, opinions are the oxygen that breathes life into a brands following. Without it, this site would be fairly dull. Opinion that is overly emphasised at times, yes, but that goes with critical analysis and the chance to have a say on what affects members. Some probably also see it as there opportunity to hop in with a word when their sense of where the brand is going is challenged. That’s human nature. I don’t know about you, but I see this forum as an opportunity for the brand to get the message from enthusiast about the future, or equally, to ignore it as rumblings from the masses. Breitling are navigating the brands future, so it’s up to them if they take anything on board or not. The fact membrs do comment is good, as it means there is care and commitment for the brand.

IMHO, I have no problems with where Breitling are going. I have said it a few times here in response to criticism of the new Breitling offerings. Ling know the market and they know what sells and what is truly different for buyers to consider. They also know the risks and they have that locked into the game plan. So, I am not a critic of the brand from a design point of view nor do I worry about the future. They are comfident and so should we be. Any gripes I have are just middle class anxieties and not worth scribbling here. My honest belief is that every member who can be bothered responding to a thread are motivated enough to say something, anything, so that we can all share the thought. Sometimes it’s worth it, sometimes not. Nothing to worry about really.

All I know is that this site would be worthless without opinion and criticism. A dull place indeed. The one regret is that you have to put up with the same thing from different sources, but overall its not too bad.

_________________
Jim

"You have Control".

Kinda hard to be positive about the brand when this is the garbage we have been given over the past few years.

_________________
"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"