The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I recently purchased a 09 Brushed Blackbird. I was waiting to write a review to see how the watch performed / wore after a couple of weeks. First of all, I must start with saying that Barry at Bere Jewelers is fantastic and very easy to deal with. First class service all the way. He is a Breitling AD and keeps many watches in stock; although that could be a bad thing! At any rate, I highly recommend him for anyone who knows what they want.

Now to the watch; Breitling Blackbird caliber 44 with big date and chronograph complications. I will start by saying that I also own an Airwolf, SS Seawolf, and Steelfish. I have the Diver Pro I and II, the Ocean Racer, and a brown calf on deployant. First note, the Blackbird is by far a nicer watch to look at. It is peculiar that the Windrider range is so much “nicer” than the professional / aeromarine range. I would have never believed it until now. At over twice the price of the Steelfish, the Blackbird is more than twice as “nice”. The faceted pilot bracelet wears like a dream compared to the comfortable Pro II. Also, the camber of the watch seems to be more comfortable. This watch is so comfortable, I find it difficult to wear the other ones. This watch gets serious wrist time comparatively. I have seen some post concerning lume. The lume is still bright enough to see time after 7 hours with eyes adjusted. Chronograph works as advertized.
I have seen and responded to a forum member about the minute hand issue. For some reason, the minute hand does not match with the second hand when setting the time. I need to stop the seconds at 0 /60, and place the minute hand 25 seconds ahead for the minute hand to show accurately. Also, when the chronograph is engaged, the minute hand jumps about half a minute or so.

Now to the Incredible AD with great service, first class all the way. Recently our home town hosted an Air Show featuring the Naval Flight Demonstration Team, The Blue Angles. Breitling hosted the event with a hospitality tent. My local AD invited me to the air show and to the Breitling tent. I have been to many air shows and this was the first time I had a clear and uninterrupted view of the event. It was like having front row tickets to a rock concert. Never in my life have I had that kind of treatment. All the food and drink, chairs, and fellow Breitling owners. My entire family was wearing new Breitling ball caps. Even the Breitling ear plugs were first class. Also, the AD had his entire Breitling watch display in the tent! It was truly a dream come true. Then it got better.

After the air show, we were invited to a Breitling dinner at a very nice local restaurant. Drinks at the bar were first, at an exclusive part of the restaurant, then came the dinner. On the back of every chair, a new Breitling back pack and a copy of THE BOOK. The meal was absolutely amazing, and the drinks kept coming. Interestingly enough, the “Breitling People” did not really say much, they didn’t need to. Then it got better.

After the dinner, my AD asked if I would be interested in a flight in the Breitling Extra 300 the next afternoon. He didn’t need to ask twice. I arrived at the flight line the next day about an hour early. Then, as scheduled, the Breitling pilot briefed me and off we went. I will first say that I am a military pilot and have flown some of the most advanced aircraft in the USA inventory. I will next say that this ride was the flight of my life. The last instruction I was given was “fly it like you stole it”, and we did. The Breitling pilot allowed me to fly the majority of the flight. This airplane was unbreakable. We hurled our way through the air in ways I have never done. When asked if I would like to try some of the maneuvers, my only reply was “all of the things this plane can do would be prohibited in every airplane I have flown”, i.e. I would not know how to do them. Flat hatting is one thing, this was totally different. It was more than thrill seeking. It was thrill seeking with a purpose. I tried a few snap turns, hammer heads, loops, etc, but nothing like the stuff the Breitling pilot did. I found myself in an inverted flat spin, outside turns, and the “Lomcefak” at his controls. I pulled more negative G during that flight than I had in my entire flight career, cumulatively! With our fuel tank low, we headed back to the field. The Breitling pilot let me fly back and actually let me try to land. He asked me on short final if I had ever landed a tail dragger and I showed him on touchdown that I had not. I logged at least four landings before he stopped the damage. We taxied back and finished the photo op.

It was incredible how we were treated by the local AD. It was also incredible how the Breitling company supported him. Breitling is a first class company. This AD is every bit first class, not only because of this display, but also every time I walk into his show room.

Great story - I am very jealous!

What a phenomenal story! You must be one of the luckiest individuals to ever purchase a Breitling, what an experience. I'm with Roff, very very jealous

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your new watch & the memories of a life-time!

Best Regards,

Enezdez

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IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

I would have called you a liar if you didnt post those pictures. Amazing story.

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-RJ

WHATT!!???

Hehe, good for you mate. I'm part of the jealous team too!!

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Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

great story, i dont know how i feel about the "nicer than the professional/aeromarine" crap, but its a good story

Excellent story, thanks for sharing it!

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Heh, that was a great story. I pictured every minute...you lucky b*stard! Great watch choice as well. Kudos.

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Breitling Blackbird Big date

Great story all around and I concur that Barry is a great guy. I've had a chance to chat with him on several occasions. I was actually in his store last Thursday. Little birdie told me that PGA golfer Bubba Watson is a fan of Brietling and bought the SA blacksteel.

what an AD!!!! All of a sudden mine seems a bit......... well,......... crap actually!! Incredibly story! An airshow, a free feed, a copy of The Book, AND a flight!?!?? Amazing!

I guess you bought your other Breitlings from the same place, but even so, your AD really pushed the boat out there.

Over the years I reckon I've spent around £60K at my AD (seriously) and in terms of freebies, it's been predominantly limited to cups of tea and a biscuit! The only other things I've been "treated" to in 12 years of buying from them, is a Breitling pen (nice), and a replacement Bentley box when I dropped one of mine downstairs and damaged it. Not quite of the same level is it!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I EMAILED A COPY TO MY AD AND TOLD HIM TO STEP HIS GAME UP!

Me too, but I told mine to go to hell

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-RJ

Sigh, I've bought 2 Blackbirds about a month apart and I can't even get a free hat.

Wing

I'm speechless. Congratulations on a great memory

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