The Breitling Watch Source Forums

My AD had a small invitation only event today. It was a very nice setting with beautiful sunny weather, some catering and drinks. They had representatives from couple of jewellery brands, Raymond Weil and most importantly the Scandinavian rep of the mighty Breitling. He´d been working with B for couple decades and really knew his stuff. This was the first time they showed the B01 in the metal anywhere in Scandinavia.

They had three models of the Chronomat B01 with bracelets with them. I got to try them on. I was speechless. They look so much better live then on photos or how I expected them to look. That really took me by complete surprise.

First was a TT with a bronze dial and golden roman numbers. Everything was wrong for me. I don´t like two tone, Roman numbers or bronze. I would never ever considor those features on my watch. BUT it was absolutely stunning. Very very dressy and had a very high end quality feel. I couldn´t believe it. My wife felt the same way too. Next year I was supposed to buy a Navitimer as a dress watch, but now sudenly it has a heavyweight contender.

Next I tried the TT with silver dial and batons. Still dressy and eye cathing but a bit more subtle. The last one was SS with black dial. Not as eye cathing but just a very handsome, stylish and solid timepiece with exceptional fit and finish.


Here´s my personal views of the controversional stuff surrounding the CB01. I´ll start with the hottest issue.

THE bezel:
Loved it! Somehow on the photos the ufo numbers steal all the atention, but this didn´t happen in the real world at all. The numbers some how looked smaller then I expected? They give the bezel a more flowing, fashionable and unique look. I still felt it was very Breitling.

Rider tabs:
I like the "real"/old ones a lot, but with the the new design I really didn´t miss them. The lower style makes the B01 looks less bulky and it sits lower then the EVO. It´s one of the style cues that makes it dressier.

Romans:
I´ve never liked any roman numbers on a watch before. How ever the slated romans gives it caractere. There is a lot going on in the dial and maybe some will find it too busy, but somehow for me it wasn´t. I do like somewhat busy dials because I find them more interesting, but they still have to be coherent and not TOO busy.

The square:
It gives the dial depth and visual punch. With the other detailing it blends well and the complete look of the dial just works.

Size:
It sits lower then most Lings and has a very streamlined look as some of the lines have been softened. Still it didn´t look that much smaller then an EVO. Even though I wear an AS and think it`s a perfect size, I didn´t feel The CB01 was too small at all.

Movement:
There´s been a lot of talk here about it beeing too basic and it´s lack of innovation. The genious of the movement is with it´s modular design that makes it flexible. The rep said It´s just the first step in development. It will slowly start to spread around the range in different versions. In the future it´s possible to change almost anything with it. The power reserve can be extended, The subdials location can be changed, there will be versions without the chrono feature etc. So we can expect some exciting things in the coming years.

As you probably already noticed, I really love everything about the CB01 and actually so did the AD too. He was skeptical of the photos and thought it was ok, but nothing special. He wears an EVO and after seeing the CB01 he just had to have it. So he ordered one for himself already. My consernes were all washed away. It is a true display of great craftmanship, top quality and style with indredible detailing.



I also saw a picture of an up coming white/silver dialed Avenger (Skyland). It wont be as creamy shade as the Steelfish and not quite as white as the SA. That´s music to my ears and I really want one of those. They didn´t have the release date yet though.

Sorry for the long talk, but I just got a little carried away!

Great write up! Even though I am one of those that absolutely hated the look of the new CB01 in the pictures, you now have me dying to check it out in person. Maybe I will change my mind. Thanks so much for letting us know your thoughts on this.

Cheers

Thank you for sharing

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Rolex DeepSea, GMT Master II TT, Pres 18038, DJ TT 16013
Breitling Chronomat 39mm (bullet+UTC), Starliner SS/MOP (wife)

back with ROLEX

Thanks for the great update! Personally, I love the bronze tones, so can't wait to see the one you mentioned.
I, too, having been reserving my judgment until I see the new Chronomat B01 in person. I learned that with the Seawolf, when they changed that last year. I really didn't like it when I saw the photos, then I saw it in person and I now own one. Need I say more?
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

Great to hear some first hand experiences of the B01 (or CB01 as you are, probably quite correctly, calling it!)

I'm quite looking forward to seeing one myself, just to see if I feel any different about it in the flesh.

One really great thing in your review, JaVa, is the info about the "modularity" of the movement. If they really can change the position of subdials, etc, then that really is a great step forward. I can't wait for a variant of the B01 to make it into a Navi model (HOPEFULLY something Navi World sized).

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks for sharing that insight, JaVa. An encouraging read!

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Avenger Seawolf
Chrono Avenger
Aerospace
SOHC LE

Very nice...how much?

Great write up!! I am also looking forward to seeing them 1st hand.

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Breitling Hercules White Dial
Breitling Super Avenger Blue Dial
Tag Grand Carrera Calibre 17 Silver Dial
Mont Blanc Timewalker Silver Dial
U-Boat Flight Deck 50MM Black Dial
Boschett Cave Dweller Black Dial
Seiko Orange Monster
Casio G-Shock

Good to hear a positive first impression!

I look forward to seeing one in the metal! The white/silver Skyland sounds interesting.

As others have said - great write up and hopefully more people will love them in the metal.

Don't think it will be for me, but as Driver8 says - bring on the next in house model.

Exactly what I went through! I never liked the Blackbird from the photos. I went about 7 months with my eyes on the Chronomat, Skyracer and Superocean. Then I tried the Blackbird on one day...

End of story.

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Breitling Blackbird, Breitling Superocean Heritage 38

The Skyland sounds interesting...I wonder what color the numbers will be on the dial. A contrasting black color on the silver dial would be cool to see.

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Cheers,
Christopher

Currently...
Blackbird, Black Hercules, PAM 000
Down to a humble three...

Numbers will be silver.


At first I didn´t like the Chronomat B01 in pictures at all. I thought it was too sleek for a Breitling and felt they were trying too hard. Slowly I started warming up to it but I still felt it was good not great. I had reservation about the bezels numbers, the square in the dial and the case size with the streamlined look. So I didn´t go there with high exceptations and waiting to be dazzled. But there you go!

Ou yeah, the price. Over here it´s 5300€ with leather and 6150€ with SS. In comparison a Navitimer is 5081€ with SS. So not too bad with the inhouse movement IMO.