The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Initial thoughts - it needs to grow on me.

I'm glad that they went different, not sure that this is the different I would have chosen - largely the bezel I guess. Size is OK with me as I have said before.

Disappointed that there doesn't seem to be any kind of LE. I'll consider it, but am not ordering today.

Marillion vermillion..........sorry!


But how about a coral one???

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John

Current:- Navi World, Coral SO, Panerai 219, Sea Dweller, Suunto Core etc

CORAL CLUB FOUNDING FATHER

Did you read this: "Caliber B01 has an instant-date change calendar that can be adjusted at any time, with no risk of damaging the movement. The chronograph mechanism has also been built in such a way as to eliminate the risks of impairment due to inappropriate handling."

handt read it but interesting and about bloomin time too, i always think, oh balls i should reset the date at about 9pm

That's an interesting development. I understand technically what has to happen for them to do that - the date change wheel has to be disengaged from the main gear train, but no idea how they did it.

Good news though.

Breitling web site now has the new Chronomat with photo galary and tech specs.

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Breitling - Chronomat Evo SS A653
Breitling - Navitimer world, Silver Dial, Brown Croc
Omega SMP 2255.80
Tag Heuer - Link Auto. Chronograph - Black Dial/Subs
Tag Heuer - Carrera Auto. Chronograph Tachymetre SS/Gold
Bulova (1963) 30 Jewel Movement

First impressions are, it's stunning!
My only small reservation would be.....will the font on the bezel become dated quickly?


Best wishes,

Verner

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Best wishes,

Verner

Come on you guys, its not that bad! You have to hand it to them for being daring for once. The mainstay of Chronomats have an all too similar theme, its about time it moved on a little! Some of us are being a bit too traditional.

Yes its a bit Tag Heuer (superficial) but at least Breitling dont create versions of watches with a celebrity name to them? Or do they?! lol

To me, the Chronomat for years, has been a classy formal sports chrono. Ok, the "classy" might not be valid in this new example......but I could substitute with "modern". Maybe it'll appeal to a younger market. If I was younger than 30, I would not buy the current Chronomat.

Anyways, maybe Breitling will modify the design after a year or so, like with the Airwolf dial.

Whatever happens I'm still a fan of

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

I really like it. It makes the chronomat look way more sporty and casual, which is exactly what I would have hoped.

Anybody else notice that for available straps, there is a Diver Pro II? Wonder what that is...

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-RJ

Maybe that is what was attached to that new Motors Speed on the pictures that was posted in the other thread...?

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Blue Baton Super Avenger
Black Avenger Seawolf

I hope so! The specs for the Motors Speed just say "rubber strap" so not sure. Can't see much of the rubber strap in the photos but, what I can see, I like.

One thing's for sure: that polished bezel is gonna be a nightmare for those with sticky fingers!!!

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

I like it. Just don't like the size

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It looks like a cockpit chrono not a chronomat. Breitling have dropped the ball big time on this design. Would of been better to put the B01 into the older watch.

I've had a better look at the pictures on the Breitling website now (I was at work before, so couldn't really be spending any great time on it), and in those pictures it looks a little more cohesive than I initially thought. So these are my Pros and Cons -

The Pros
1. I really like the 3, 6, 9 layout as it makes the dial more symetrical, and it distinguishes it from the multitude of 7750's out there.

2. I also really like the black date wheel on the black dial models. It hides the date away nicely while still having it there.

3. The square on the dial is OK by me - it gives the dial a little bit of interest.

4. The water resistance is great............, but as it's not a dive watch it does kind of beg the question "why"? It's still a "pro" in my book though!

The Cons
1. I definitely don't like the font on the bezel - like a lot of you, I think it's very 70's sci-fi. Kind of like you'd see watching old 70's moviews like Logan's Run or Westworld. I think it'll age badly.

2. I'm also a little disappointed by the low profile rider tabs. Yes it gives it a streamlined look, but it loses some "Breitling-ness" as a result. However I think that aspect is likely to be a grower.

3. The roman numeral verison looks truly horrible, which is a huge shame as I loved the romans on the current Chronomat.

4. I also think the baton markers are a little too thick, but I think that's probably a grower too.

5. And last but CERTAINLY by no means least, we come to the size. Now I realise size is a really personal thing, but I'm seriously PO'd about it! I 100% agree that the Chronomat shouldn't be the size of an SA. The Chronomat has always been a more classy brother to the brashness of the SA. However, 43.5mm is just not big enough for us guys who like the slightly larger watches. I mean, even the RIDICULOUSLY conservative Rolex have managed to knock out a piece that is only 0.5mm smaller. As I said before, Breitlings wear smaller due to the fact that the bezel is always smaller than the case, and once you factor in the width of the bezel, the "crystal area" is likely to be very small indeed.

Oh well, maybe one day I'll have that 45 to 46mm Chronomat that I've been holding out for 10 years for.

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Driver8

Site Moderator