The Breitling Watch Source Forums

OK, help me with this logic: what has your preference for the GMT bezel (or the Chronomat 44 bezel, for that matter) got to do with whether or not the compass bezel on the new Blackbird is a piece of crap?

Ok, maybe our lines are crossed. I DO agree the BB bezel is crap. I was commenting on how the newer GMTs had a real GMT bezel, vice diver type bezel. Subject: bezels. I can't understand why they put a big pip on a chronomat, but not on a superocean, but that's another subject...

I agree: a GMT watch is best served by a GMT bezel. And don't even get me started on those damn Superoceans. I'm near enough to thrombosis stage as it is.

Something I haven't seen mentioned in this thread yet: with the new bezel comes a price increase. Current retail on the old Blackbird is $7485. The new Blackbird is $7980, and we don't even get the faceted bracelet or the killer lume. But wait, you say...it's a limited edition. Surely that must account for some of the price increase. Surely not. The GCII in not an LE, and yet it retails for $500 more than the Evo - $7000 compared to $6500. I guess that's the price we have to pay for "originality."

I'm going to add more constructive criticism. I am clearly in the minority regarding the bezel font. I believe it is here to stay, and I like it.

I don't mind red accents. In fact, I own a Chronomat 01 LE, so clearly I like the red accents. That being said, I do not like the red around the date window but white font on the date wheel. They both need to be one colour in this dial in my opinion.

The case etc is all fine, but I do miss the faceted bracelet.

Finally, and most importantly, it is not in-house.

I was expecting a new Blackbird, first release LE, in-house, new bezel font, dial with some red accents, faceted bracelet, and of course a display back. If that was the case, I would be going to my AD today to make a deposit.

The biggest part of this piece that prevents me from going down to my AD is the lack of an in-house movement, and the inconstant use of the red accenting.

This goes along with the new TO 1461, if it was in-house, I would be all over it. I see no reason to discontinue the Blackbird then release it with the exact same movement.

Just back from an AD and with the Blackbird Red Strike. CONGRATS. I too was a bit doubtful on the red accents but when viewed up close and personnel its quite stunning.
The model you refer too with the red around the date with the white markers on the date wheel is the Black steel. NO, THE BSBB HAS A WHITE BORDER AND WHITE DATE WHEEL, THOUGH SOME MAY HAVE A RED BORDER. The Red Strike has white around the date dial BUT red markers.

There is a new model to which I think you refer and that is the Chronomat Blackbird . THIS IS THE BLACKBIRD LE JUST ANNOUNCED AT BASEL, WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS THREAD , whilst this model has the Breitling Caliber 44 it has been modified to be high frequency. NO, IT IS THE SAME OLD BLACKBIRD 4 Hz MOVEMENT - 28,800 BPH, BASED ON THE ETA 2892

Just back from an AD and with the Blackbird Red Strike. I too was a bit doubtful on the red accents but when viewed up close and personnel its quite stunning.
The model you refer too with the red around the date with the white markers on the date wheel is the Black steel. The Red Strike has white around the date dial BUT red markers.

There is a new model to which I think you refer and that is the Chronomat Blackbird, whilst this model has the Breitling Caliber 44 it has been modified to be high frequency.

Personally the Red Strike model for me is a true Blackbird with red accents around the dials/red large second hand and red markers on the calender and faceted bracelet. The last of this breed, I do however think that a blackbird with the 01 movement is the next evolutionary step??

As a matter of fact when I went to look at the red strike, I had this pic as a reference for a while and I planned to walk out with one, but I walked out with a Chronomat 01 LE. A much more impressive piece in my opinion.

Between the Red Strike and the Chronomat 01 LE, I think I'd go with the Chronomat, too, although I'd take the Red Strike over the new Blackbird.

The polished blackbird in itself it still an issue for me.