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Checking out the B01 this weekend
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Author:  Driver8 [ Fri May 29, 2009 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Checking out the B01 this weekend
Well, I had an invite yesterday from an AD I've used a lot in the past to go and view the new B01 in their store this weekend. Apparantly there are only 15 dealers in the entire UK who have been chosen to stock the B01, so it's likely to have a bit more exclusivity (at least for a while) than a lot of the other models.

Still don't think I'm going to like it, but hey, I'll give it a chance! :wink: You never know, I may think it's superb in the metal! :shock:

I'll let you all know what I think first hand next week.
Author:  bnewbie [ Fri May 29, 2009 10:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
It would be nice of you to practice some of your superb photo skills there. :lol: :wink:
Author:  jnelson3097 [ Fri May 29, 2009 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
It looks like BUSA is diong the same with the number of dealers who have them.

www.breitling125.com/retailers/

I know George said Govberg does have theirs in and he was checking them out this afternoon. He's actually working out of their Rolex boutique so he hasn't had a chance to see them in person yet.
Author:  Jefferson [ Fri May 29, 2009 11:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
:yeahthat
Author:  Driver8 [ Fri May 29, 2009 11:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
bnewbie wrote:
It would be nice of you to practice some of your superb photo skills there. :lol: :wink:

:lol: Yeah I'll make sure I take my trusty mobile phone "camera" with me! :wink:
Author:  Jerome [ Fri May 29, 2009 11:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
Was at local AD yesterday to pick up a leather strap for my Navitimer World and as the strap was being fitted on the watch in comes a shipment of two B01. I had a chance to try on a two tone on a tan/brown leather strap and I must say its a stunning watch. When the manager joked about putting one aside for me I gracefully admitted that I would rather a big date Blackbird. I must say they do look allot better in the metal.

La Swiss - has a two tone with mother o' pearl dial and a stainless with burgundy'ish dial - both on leather. :lingsrock:

Just realized that :uselesspics:
Author:  dbniner [ Fri May 29, 2009 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
i just recieved an invatation from george and govberg to attend the BO1 preview at a restraunt in philly. if we have an off day i will definately be attending.
Author:  JaVa [ Fri May 29, 2009 1:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
It´s going to be interesting to hear how you feel about the B01 when you´ve seen it.
Author:  Stefan Tapp [ Fri May 29, 2009 1:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
Driver8 wrote:
Well, I had an invite yesterday from an AD I've used a lot in the past to go and view the new B01 in their store this weekend. Apparantly there are only 15 dealers in the entire UK who have been chosen to stock the B01, so it's likely to have a bit more exclusivity (at least for a while) than a lot of the other models.

Still don't think I'm going to like it, but hey, I'll give it a chance! :wink: You never know, I may think it's superb in the metal! :shock:

I'll let you all know what I think first hand next week.


That's not the same local AD as me is it? P&W. Southampton? I had an invite for a preview and glass of the old champers what, and a nice B01 brochure too!

Stef
Author:  ianmedium [ Sat May 30, 2009 7:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
It will be great to see real photos as opposed to the promo ones which never really give a good Idea!
I just went on to the Japanese building site, I sure hope the prices are more there as in Canada the SS version would be just over $9,000!! The font on the bezel is growing on me though!
Author:  MartC [ Sat May 30, 2009 11:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
Any update on this mate? :camera:

I want to like the watch, I need to be converted
Author:  NavitimerNut [ Sat May 30, 2009 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
MartC wrote:
Any update on this mate? :camera:

I want to like the watch, I need to be converted

:yeahthat
Author:  Drtymrtini [ Sat May 30, 2009 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
I haven't seen it, but my AD said the Breitling rep was in last week and she thought the watch was absolutely stunning.

I own a BlackBird (big date) myself and have no desire to change anytime soon, but this watch, more than others, has really intrigued me.
Author:  g-star [ Sat May 30, 2009 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
I was pretty impressed when i saw two of them at my ad. i must admit that i was very hesitant when i viewed it online, but in person it is an outstanding watch. i am converted!
Author:  Driver8 [ Sun May 31, 2009 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Checking out the B01 this weekend
OK now first of all, I need to apologise as I didn't take any pictures as it wasn't my usual guy who served me, and I just felt a bit bad sitting with a strange guy taking snaps especially as I wasn't planning to buy one. So anyway I know that :uselesspics: , but there we go.

However, I did get to try on four different B01 configurations -

1. An SS model with a white MOP dial with romans on the bracelet.
2. A TT model with a full gold bezel, black dial with romans on black croco.
3. A TT model with gold riders (or what used to be riders), black dial with batons on the new driver pro II
4. An SS model with grey dial/black subdials with batons on black leather.

My thoughts? Well, for a start it definitely looks better in the metal than in the pictures - of that there is no doubt. The case is very nicely finished with a slight curve to the side of it that you don't see on the Aeromarine models. The case looks very nice and classy, the dials are all very nicely executed, and the build is definitely top-notch : it has a nice weight and heft to it. The square in the centre of the dial of the baton models doesn't look nearly as pronounced as it appears in the pictures : in fact it lends the dial a bit of interest. I also think I could possibly warm to the new style romans as well :shock: Again they look a heck of a lot better in the metal. The chronograph push-pieces are very smooth and it doesn't feel as "harsh" a click as on the older models. That's kind of hard to explain, but I just felt that it was a bit smoother. Another nice touch is how the date wheel on the black models are black, while the others are white : it keeps the date window nice and unobtrusive. Lastly, the Speed bracelet-style straight-cut and flexible end-links do indeed give a nice comfortable fit on the wrist, which is a good thing as I got the impression that it could well be a little longer lug to lug compared to the out-going model.

So that's the good - what about the bad? Well, yes I can categorically say that the numbers of the bezel ARE indeed grim! The bezel itself (excluding the numbers) is actually quite nice and I must confess that it makes the older model look a little dated. I think a lot of us will warm to that style of bezel over time. HOWEVER, there is no getting away from the fact that the bezel numbers are a travesty. They are massive, out of place, and in an out-of-date font. Secondly, the size of the bezel numbers are totally at odds with the very detailed, and pretty small, markings on the dial. This certainly isn't helped by the diminutive size of the case. OK, so it wears a little larger than it's 43.5mm dimensions would suggest, but it's still pretty small and would've really benefited by being a couple of mm larger all round. I'm certainly not advocating something of SA proportions, but a couple of mm would've made it seem a little less "cramped" somehow. The multitude of fonts across the dial don't gel that well either.

Just as an aside, the AD had another B01 but with a full diamond bezel (which I didn't know was available yet) in the window and as it removes the "Logan's Run" style numbers, it looked loads better. I can see that this is one watch that benefits massively from a diamond bezel......... but that in itself is a bad statement in my book. If a watch only looks good (well, better than standard) when covered in diamonds, that's not exactly a great indictment of the watch as a whole!

Next we come of the bracelet. At first glance it looks like a standard Pilot bracelet (apart from the end links), but on closer inspection the links are cut at a much less dramatic angle than the older bracelets. This is a really shame IMHO, as the "slash cut" bracelet is a really Breitling trademark. It is still "slash cut" to a certain extent but just not as obvious, and hence a little bit more ordinary.

In terms of the movement, the chronograph hand was nice and smooth, but one thing REALLY surprised me : there's been a lot made in the Breitling B01 releases of how the movement does away with the "jumping" of the chronograph hand when it's activated. However when I tried it, there was still a definite visible "jump" of the centre chronograph hand as it started - not dissimilar to a B13. :? That surprised me a bit as I was expecting it to be silky-smooth.....

The diver pro II strap is very boring and flat, and apart from the fact that it's got tang and buckle size flexibility I found nothing to recommend it over the truly EXCELLENT OR strap.

So there we are - perhaps a little better than the pictures suggest, but still a long way from being a classic. If the movement is as great as we all hope (jumping chronograph hand aside :shock: ) then I for one feel it should've received an instant-classic case, instead of something that is likely to be quite transitory. Seeing it in person hasn't really changed my feelings about it : all the issues I saw in the pics are still there in the metal, although in the right colour combination (and probably with a diamond bezel :shock: if you can stomach the £11,000+ GBP price tag :shock: :shock: ), you could end up with something that looks pretty much OK. Not exactly a ringing endorsement though is it!?

I'm probably going to be waiting until the B01 makes it's way into smething with Navitimer in the name!
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