The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Something I completely agree with: chronograph pushers should not have screw down locks - it completely defeats the purpose of having a chronograph complication on a watch, and anyone who disagrees is only after the tough look and so doesn’t care a dot about the capabilities of a tool watch. In fact, despite all the hype around it, it is the one reason I would never own a modern Rolex Daytona irrespective of the fact that the phenomenal appreciation could buy me two other watches that I would be genuinely interested in.

Fred, I am not privy to who is who on Instagram, I do not know what individuals use what nicknames, obviously you have better information than I do. My comment was directed at what comments you made on what Serge posted on this thread.

With respect to how Georges deals with criticism you need to read my comment, in my personal interaction with Georges, he could have used a little bit more "style"!

It is nice that we have found some common ground with respect to our love for our canine friends. That is a beautiful Navitimer Mechanicque, I would post some pictures of mine but I find it difficult to transfer and upload my pictures to these forums.

The wonderful thing about living in our the countries that we do is that we are able to express our opinions regardless of what other may say about them. I would like to think that is true on this forum as well. I apologize if you did not agree with my sarcastic humor, I am a big time Breitling fan, I have numerous Breitling watches, I just do not agree with Georges's game plan. I have had short conversations with him on other platforms and quite honestly, he has not been able to convince me otherwise. That we can save for another day!

No I just muted you because you’re not worth my time. Same will go here now. Nothing you contribute is worth my response. You like old watches, I hate old watches. You design old watches, I hate old watches. You’re not objective, I hate old watches. So there’s no need to discuss further. Anyone who has IG can go read and will see that nothing I said to GK is out of line. Saying that I’m disappointed in him and Breitling is not even remotely aggressive. The narrative is the narrative, the online response has not been overwhelmingly positive. No need to lie, it’s been mixed at best.

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

I gave it another day and went back and looked at Breitling's website. One positive is that I can say the rose gold Chronomat looks much better but I think it's because it's shown on the rubber strap opposed to the bracelet which I still can't find anything positive about yet. It may be comfortable, but it's not something I like. Another thing I noticed is that the new Chronomat is significantly lower in price than the previous version on the bracelet. The Bentley version and the Frecce Tricolori are slightly higher than the standard SS models.

I still would've loved to see how a ceramic bezel would have looked on this watch. I'm not good enough with photoshop but I think that would've helped with the overall look of this watch. I know Fred mentioned they tried other materials and they didn't look right, but maybe someone on here could mock one up.

The SO57 is still a watch that I think needs to be seen in person. When I look at some pictures, it seems like the size of the bezel and dial seem out of proportion and almost too much bezel. I'm curious to see how the concave actually looks on the wrist. I did ask my AD about the rainbow version and he confirmed it's in high demand.

Fred - any live photos that you know of showing the green dial Superocean Heritage Chrono LE that was announced as well? Was there any thought to adding a green ceramic bezel?

Hey I feel special!!! I had Fred troll me on H o d I n k e e (I Never mentioned Breitling Source)...

As a new member I know I won't be missed but clearly my days on this forum are numbered...Do some here actually work for Breitling? Very dissapointing.

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Mickey® 

It is actually heartening to see the "hype" and activity in this forum that we have not seen for a very long time. Be it positive or negative comments, praises or rantings, debates or heated arguments, etc, this is what keeps the forum going, especially during this period where many of us are dying to find some entertainment at home.

While the new releases aren't really my thing, there is no perfect design that makes everyone happy. Aesthetics expectations are very subjective and personal. Every personnel involved in the design development tends to design something that he/she personally likes. Some agree with full of praises, while some disagree with despise. The critical factor, IMO is not how many people like the new aesthetics, because there are always supporters and haters. It's how the brand positions itself and wants consumers to view the brand. Sometimes, 2 different brands adopting the same design on their watches can have different effect. The part that worries me is that the brand has been over focusing on aesthetics overhaul for an extended period of time. Personally I am ok with facial lifts, as long as they keep the main iconic elements and the identity of the model, that people can still recognize the model line immediately at a glance. However major aesthetic changes should accompany with some new inventions or technical achievements to justify the evolution. It's telling consumers that the brand is evolving and getting better.

However, frequent major facelifts without justification creates the impression of inconsistency, and worst still, I have yet to see any major technical achievements or inventions by the brand ever since GK took over. It has been purely "back to the roots" design non-stop over the past year. Even though the designs now are more subdued, even if I like retro and classic designs, why should I buy a Breitling and not some other brands, since there are many other brands who also possess similar aesthetics direction(eg, IWC, Omega, etc), but already established with such identity and better resale value? Why should I rush to buy watches that easily flood the AD display shelves in no time, and risk ending up in garage sales?

While I understand the need to increase revenue with more sales, the value of a luxury brand in consumers' eyes is very important IMO. Consumers like highly sought after pieces and these pieces are highly sought after not because they are good looking, but the way company markets and releases them, in a controlled manner. If you are a company and have 10 customers going after a model, would you release 1 watch to these 10 waiting customers, or one shot release 20 pieces? The latter allows you to temporarily get money in faster, but the former method likely results in the number of interested customers multiplying in no time and high resale value of the sought after piece. The company can offer lower end pieces in larger quantities for faster revenue, but I hope the brand also offers premium icon pieces in a controlled manner to increase demand and improve the brand's image and value. The Navi and Chronomat should fall in the premium category.

As a few members have mentioned, GK initially wanted to streamline the models and variations. I was a little shocked that he released so many variations of the new Chronomat. This is the first time that I come across the company releasing the regular versions(which is already a lot) and LE at the same time. I cannot imagine if I start seeing plenty of them in boutiques and ADs a few mths later. I am not a businessman but as a consumer, this "massive release" is enough to make me think twice about getting the watch, whether I like the design or not.

While I am not a fan of the new designs, it makes me love my existing Breitlings even more. As mentioned, aesthetics are very subjective. But I believe majority of Breitling owners will hope that their watches do not depreciate by half(or even lesser) the moment it leaves the AD.

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Breitling Chronomat 01 Limited Edition
Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm

An insightful and well thought out comment, thank you!

Well, it's been an interesting couple of days. I've had a chance to let the new releases sink in for a couple days now and will keep my comments short.

SOH 57:
I've grown to not like wide bezels on watches, fixed or rotating, just throws the proportions out of whack and takes away dial space. The dial and handset (hour and minute) is OK but don't like the seconds hand with no lume tip, too hard to see against dial background. Size is good at 42mm but overall just not my style.

Chronomat 42mm:
Great size at 42mm although the 15mm thickness may be a bit chunky, will have to see one to see the profile and how it sits on wrist. Dial colors are decent, the three I like are the standard black/silver subs, black eye blue, and the blue Tricolori LE (probably my favorite). I'm not a fan of the date inside the sub dial, would rather see it at 4:30 for chronos but not a deal breaker. The polished bezel insert is disappointing, should be brushed. I had great hopes for the bullet bracelet but am disappointed, butterfly clasp with no micro-adjust is a deal breaker for me. I also don't like the integrated lug link design, would rather had a straight end link fitting inside lugs. The rubber strap on the red gold piece looks much better and would of liked to see a rubber strap option at time of purchase (no bracelet and reduced price). I would definitely wear this watch with rubber strap and overall the Chronomat is a close call for me, thickness may be an issue along with price, will take a look at it when it hits the ADs.

Favorite recent release is still the Aviator 8 Mosquito for me.
Take care, stay healthy and happy watch hunting BS members!

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Lug to lug looks like 52 mm or more!

Is that correct?

50.5
GK has very slim wrists.

Hi - I am new to the forum after being a historic Omega/Heuer fan.....

So as a first point it is interesting to see some push back against the biting against GeorgesKern and Watchfred. Everyone is entitled to an opinion - but there is a basic fact - They together have generated interest in Breitling that just was not there before.

Like it or not Breitling as a brand has not been liked. Whether it be with your friends at work or the online watch community Breitling was a TAG competitor - nothing more. Given this the whole community was so surprised that they were acknowledging the 806R as being the Basel watch of 2019

And we get to 2020 and so looking forward to the 765. And now the 57 gives more taking points. That is down to good management and leadership of the brand. Basic facts

Of course everyone can criticise around the edges but please give these guys a bit of encouragement. Of course criticise where it is needed but finally people are talking about Breitling - when did that happen 2000 to 2018????

Anyway tonight these are my current favourite watches. 1. My 806R and 2. My vintage Superocean 2005 (sorry I don’t think I have the permission to post attachments as a I can’t attach photos - please tell me how if I am being in idiot ....)

For my sins I have just put a deposit in the 57 rainbow....... I just like it - no one can say it is a heritage copy - lol

care to explain why you find that „disappointing“?

Watch photo as above

I agree I wasn't that clear...I meant with the amount of "Kool-Aid" drinking I just wondered if some were associated directly with Breitling. Not even talking about you Sir.

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Mickey®