The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am looking to purchase my first Breintling, either the Chronomat B01 or the Chromomat Evolution. There is a sizeable difference in the price of the two.
I know one difference is the number of jewels in the movement (47 verses 25). Does the B01 movement differ in any other way? And, are there any other differences in the two that would justify the extra cost?
Thanks in advance.
grgerman

Omega Seamaster Professional Auto
Tag Heuer Link Quartz

It's a totally different movement, no comparison really between the two.

B13 is a modified Valjoux / ETA 7750 ebauche, B01 is an in house design and manufacture. B01 is column wheel; B13 isn't. B01 has a vertical clutch, B13 doesn't; B01 has 70 hour power reserve, B13 has 42; B01 has instant change date, B13 doesn't.

Of course the watches too look completely different.

Id it worth it, well only you know that - the question has to be whether it is worth it to you.

And of course the B01 is exclusive to Breitling. The caliber 13 is a modified 7750 which can be found in many other watch brands. Maybe not modified to the extent that Breitling do, but still...
This adds a lot of value to the B01 IMO.

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Cheers,
UJU

Breitling Super Avenger
Breitling Super Ocean Heritage Chrono 125th Anniversary

B01 is a better movement in many ways.

BUT you don't see the movement when you're wearing it and the B13 is available in a lot of watches, nearly all of them more attractive than the B01.

I'm waiting for a B01 Navitimer....Then I'll buy.

Out of those two, I'd get the B01. It has a much more sophisticated movement, and a more up-to-date design. I wouldn't mind the price difference between the two. My only problem is that I don't fancy the look of the B01, especially the weird bezel font, and the polished bezel. Don't get me wrong, I like shiny watches, but the B01 is over the top in my book With a less weird font and a brushed bezel I would seriously consider buying a B01 -- with blackeye blue dial.

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Ingenieur - Speedmaster - Submariner

Me too........ if the size is right.

But on the original poster's point - the B01 is definitely the better movement. More features and more unique than the 7750 based B13.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I think to a certain degree whether or not the B01 is worth the extra cost remains to be seen. If it proves to be as - or more - sturdy, accurate and reliable as the Cal13 then that would count to its advantage as far as cost is concerned.

Personally I decided to get the chronomat B01 not only because of the movement itself, but because its a landmark model for Breitling and thus a cool model to have. And of course I really like the watch for what it is, that does count to...

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"Either this man is dead or my watch has stopped!"
- Groucho Marx

Maybe I am missing something but I don't see that big a difference in the Chronomat B01 and Chronomat. The only differences I see from their website pics is the bezel layout and the dial features being in different locations.
I guess I need to see and touch a B01. Hopefully with the balckeye gray dial.

I think only time can tell on the B01. The 7750 is tried and true and reliable. The B01 has nicer features on paper, but there's no long term data on how well it works in the field. How accurate will it be 2-3 years down the road, etc.

You definitely should check out both watches in the flesh. I loved the B01 on Breitling's own pictures, but in the flesh it looks completely different -- and to me, worse.

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Ingenieur - Speedmaster - Submariner

I think the movement in the B01 is worth the extra money, just so long as it's not in B01 case.....

I'm in the "hate-it" camp when it comes to the styling of the B01. Just a preference.

Also, the whole business about "jewels" and their apparent benefit is explained well in an article by Roff:
http://www.breitlingsource.com/articles_roff_jewels.shtml

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

It depends on your definition of "better". If better is having more features and more exclusivity, then the B01 is better. If tried and tested realiability is someone's definition of better, then as you say, time will tell.

To me it's a Ferrari/VW type of argument - the Ferrarai would undoubtedly be called a "better" car than a VW Golf by 99% of the population....... although the Golf would probably be the more reliable long term. Of course that's not to say that we have any reasons to assume the B01 will be unreliable..... it's just not be around long enough for us to know.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

That's a great article. Thanks for posting the link.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

I agree - it's an awesome article. Some of the best stuff I have ever read!!