The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Key word ‘quoted’ not my quotes and none of the quotes above had any homophobic connotation; don’t associate me with such deplorable comments. My comments to GK are far from aggressive. If a CEO can’t handle a customer saying that they are disappointed in him and in the direction of the brand then he needs to grow a spine and Breilting needs new leadership. But I’m sure he’s perfectly suited to handle the comments of disappointed fans; it seems as if you are unable to handle any negative criticism as you have a hand in the direction of these horrific antique looking pieces. And that is what is really pathetic and sad.

Now, let’s get back to discussing how pathetic this release is!

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

I would’ve really liked to see a ceramic bezel on the Chronomat. The interchangeable rider tabs don’t really appeal to me since I seldom actually use the bezel for timing anything. If I need to time something, I can use the chrono.

Fred - is there any plans to give someone the option for a the regular pilot bracelet? I’d have been more impressed if you just offered an easy link adjustment or something on the pilot bracelet than the bullet bracelet.

Is it me or does the SOH Chronograph 44 have the exact same dial as the new Chronomat. These releases leave me underwhelmed the SOH 57 is nice but nothing game breaking. I have mixed feelings about GK’s stewardship of Breitling on one hand he has done a fantastic job with the Premier line but the the Navitimer 8 Aviator 8 ) is something that looks like Tag and a IWC has a love child that no one wants to admit to being related to. His strength only seems to be in retro styles and even they all tend to look alike. While I respect his abilities and accomplishments he leaves me baffled by his decisions. He started out with Breitling saying they were going to streamline the brand and that they had to many models and lines but he eliminated a few but forgive me if I’m wrong but I think they have more models than ever. The Chronomat in my opinion looks like a Tag Heuer Autavia, I know I will get grief for this but I like the Previous model Chronomat say what you will it was distinctive that couldn’t be mistaken for anything else. When your new model’s big claim is the bracelet that’s and issue it reminds me of the Tag Link also a watch who’s big claim to fame is the bracelet.

I don't think the dial is the same on the SOH Chrono as the new Chronomat. In honor of the new release today, I wore this combo to pick up my carryout order.



I still think as far as a Chronomat is concerned, it's very hard to beat this version.

SOH 57 - Well......

Navi 35 - Classifying a model as "woman's watch" kills a massive chunk of potential buyers. Don't understand why they are still doing this.

Chronomat

Bezel:

Not sure if the issue of sweater sleeves getting caught by the rider tabs will resurface. Good attempt to revive the original bezel with interchangeable rider tabs, but more could be done. Should design in a way that makes it easy for users to interchange the rider tabs on their own, without having to do so at a service centre or boutique. Slower read off due to smaller numerals(compared to buck rogers bezel), but presence of per min marker on the first and last 15 min allows a slightly more accurate read off(on the first and last 15 min only).

My expectation of a good time elapse bezel is to the ability read off "at a glance", without the need for very specific accuracy, especially when applied to aviation and on the road, as the Chronograph would serve the purpose if accuracy is more critical. The buck roger bezel can achieve that "at a glance" effect. The airborne bezel is slower in read-off, however at least it is compensated with a higher accuracy, with single minute makers on the FULL bezel. This new bezel is neither here nor there as only the first and last 15 min has single min markers. I would have even preferred per min markers only on the first 15 min since it is useful for diving. The addition of single minute markers on both first and last 15 min can cause unnecessary visual confusion when in use, even though I understand that the last 15 min was for the countdown function. Therefore I would prefer either single minute markers on the full bezel, or just on the first 15 minutes.

I don't know whether I am the only one feeling this way. But I feel that this new bezel does not look dated, but looks OUTDATED. I have been trying to analyse the reason why. Then I realize that it is likely because of the "black paint" on the numerals. It's like the bezel that you get from the olden days. A ceramic bezel on this design, with lume markers and numerals would have made it much better, both aesthetically and functionally. Personally I prefer the old buck rogers bezel because it offers a smoother surface profile with details, therefore projecting the sleek and elegant side of the watch.

Dial:

Lume on sub dial hands is good. Dial colors are unique and nice. I have nothing against 4:30 date windows. Personally I do not like date windows eating into subdials because they can cause visual confusion and delays in read off. Aesthetically wise I have always felt that it looks weird too. It's like you get a sudden large unrelated numeral appearing in a counter that is meant to retrieve time elapse information. Lastly, a huge pity not to adopt the winged logo, as it portrays the air, land and sea spirit very well, on this rare universal model that also projects these 3 elements.

Bracelet:

The bullet bracelet is nice and "back to roots", but nothing compared to the already famous and iconic pilot bracelet IMO. Personally I would prefer that this bracelet is made as an ALTERNATIVE, and not replacement to pilot bracelet, since one feature of the Chronomat is its versatility to fit aesthetically on different straps and bracelets.

Overall:

No technical achievement. No obvious functional improvements. IMO a major facial lift from the previous version should be accompanied with some technical achievements to create a long lasting impression on the model, and something to pen down in the history book. In this case, it is just an attempt to make the model look like its ancestor, also to please the past buck roger Chronomat haters. Too many variations launched at one go.

Will sales increase for this one? Likely yes. Being the 2nd icon of Breitling, does this help to upscale Breitling's image? No. Who will buy? The richer ones who are "stunned" by this change and just buy one to add to their collection as "just another watch". Those who need to save up for a few years to get 1(like me) will not likely be convinced. At most they would just pass a positive comment and move on. It's a nice model. But it's not a watch that people will treat as their HOLY GRAIL. Launching many variations at one go simply kills the prestige of the model. Resale value, being the concern of many buyers, will remain bad, especially if the pieces were to flood the market at one go.

Anyway I no longer have desire to buy anything from this brand again. The current direction is positive, but not enough to make me buy anything from this brand again, as I expect more from a luxury watch than just looking safe or identical to a watch of the past.

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Breitling Chronomat 01 Limited Edition
Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm

Wish they still made the airborne I was able to pick up the latest Blue Impulse Chronomat for a steal used but never worn it’s fantastic. Overall I’m a Breitling fan and like a lot of their watches but the New Chronomat is a bad design in my opinion.

With all due respect Fred, Serge made no mention of any of the homophobic comments that had been made on other sites. He was simply referencing the criticism that had been expressed. I happen to agree that as a public figure you have to be able to accept criticism. Based on my own personal experiences Georges could take a lesson or two in that area!

I've drifted away from Breitling in the last few years. I bought my Navi in 2014 but then bought a Glashütte Original Panoreserve in 2018 and a Lange 1 in 2019 because, other than the Navitimer, I've found the Breitling lineup doesn't appeal to me. The new Chronomat, however, "turned my head" in several good ways. I like (1) the new date window placement, which makes the dial more clean and symmetrical (and which I find is almost like a secret for the owner, as the date window looks like part of the chrono subdial at an uninitiated glance); (2) the new and quintessentially Breitling bracelet (though I admit I was at first hesitant about it); (3) that they removed the Buck Rogers bezel; and (4) that they removed the (to me, annoying) screw-down chrono pushers.

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Breitling Navitimer 01 LE

This I agree with.


Love the aesthetics of the new Superocean 57. The concave bezel is really unique and happy to see it made again. But I’m a vintage collector so I would like it. The rainbow lume - not for me but I think it might be a secret crush...Quite fun.

The women’s line up - clearly something not with me in mind. I like to think of Breitling as a tool watch maker, but these are fashion watches - tachy rings and diamonds? No date? Again I’m “annoyed” to see the Navitimer brand name used on a watch that isn’t by any stretch of the imagination a Navitimer. Not even a chronograph.

I’ll leave the chronomat commentary to the chronomat lovers.

Interesting to read the feedback on the releases, also on instagram. Generally im a Breitling fan as its the first luxury watch I owned. However it would be interesting to see the positive feedback watchfred is talking about. Sadly most of the reactions seem negative, here and on instagram, or indifferent with “its ok bit I wont buy these” etc. But sadly and definitely not overly positive. It will be interesting to see how all these models sell. Until now no one has bought anything except that ADs are putting or have already put orders in. The customer will need to buy and decide and that feedback is still not complete. And just to be safe, I’m not talking very specific Breitling numbers watchfred . I’m just a watch fan and collector and have some ideas on how the market works but of course I don’t have financial numbers of Breitling. I for one will order, whenever available (sadly no information on this anywhere), one Chronomat and look forward to it. The lady’s line is quite funny as its not a new lady’s line but just a navitimer in 35mm. I was expecting a proper new line and wanted to see if there was something for my wife.


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One thing I would like to add. I find it a very good thing that Breitling is so engaging with us (watch consumers) in this difficult times. We have MORE than enough bad news every single day - its good to get something to look forward to and Breitling is trying to do just that. The other brands schould be embarrassed that they come up with absolutely nothing to communicate and engage with their consumers. It’s a real pitty and a good job done by Breitling


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well, I don't know if you've read Serge's comments on ig, but to call that criticism would be like calling WWII a little skirmish, ad hominem attacks including tags like #firekern.
Serge has deleted his comments & muted or deleted his ig account - but to show you how Georges deals with the fact that "as a public figure you have to be able to accept criticism.", think you can't show more style:

here's a short vdeo from the late proto stage, showing a dial configuration that in the end was used in the bicolor models only, but it does show how the Chronomat & bracelt sit on the wrist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREnK0UGDDg

@56scooter, I started a response to you this morning to seriously answer your question about my opinion of Breitling’s current marketing, but after reading many of the comments here I don’t think I will bother. However, this bit I will continue with:



Ah, a fellow dog lover. Well at least we have that as common ground.



Anyway, I hope you've had a nice day