The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Let me start out by warning all you die hard Breitling fans that there is going to be some criticism of the current Breitling organisation in this post, if you are easily offended I suggest you dont read this thread

I am sorry, but I just need to vent! I have always loved Breitlings, and still do many models. In fact I am looking at getting a Navitimer model soon. I mean there really is so much to like about the brand, the amazing history is right up there with the best of them, technical innovation, military and civilian flight association, space flight, excellent external quality for the price range, attention to detail, and just fantastic bracelets and straps to boot!

I guess it is those very reasons that make me so agitated with the current affairs of Breitling. I want to enjoy the brand and be as enthusiastic as I used to be but the direction Breitling SA is taking is just not for me. For one thing the catering to the masses with designs that impress the non-WIS but will most definitely disappoint the hard core fans, Galactic my eye.

Another thing is the gross mass production of almost all models, I cant remember the last time I walked into an AD and did not find a model I was looking for, I mean really anyone know how many Super Avengers they actually made? They must have made a fortune out of those!!! That also hurts resale like you wouldn't believe, I should know

Then there is the technical innovation, or lack thereof. The B01 doesn't cut it in my book, too similar to the 7750 and only introduced after Hayek threatened to cut off their supply. No points in my book, Just a way to make sure they can keep on introducing more "comfort watches" how about some real technical innovation like Breitling used to be known for?

Well there you have it, those are the reasons I love and hate Breitling, the curse of my watch collecting habit. I suppose I do have a passion for the brand even though I will not admit it, hence why I am now looking for a used Navitimer World. But it is when I compare it to my other favorite brands, IWC, JLC Panerai, Rolex, and Omega, I see such high potential for Breitling yet I know the brand will keep going for the easy buck. Look at how Panerai has developed their in house calibers, introduced fantastic new materials, inovated AND kept the traditionalist happy all at once and not producing more than 1000 units of a single model per year. I just get the sense of pride and honest love for the brand the people working there have. They could have introduced a 127 look alike, thrown in an ETA something and sold 5000 a year at 9000. I guarantee they wouldn't see the store shelves and that comes to what, 45 000 000 in sales? Whearas if Breitling thought they would sell we would be debating the merits of the new Mickey Mouse-themed, PVD-dipped, Giganto-Vengers.

I hope there is a change in Breitling management soon, and that someone with an iota of integrity and love for the brand as it used to be comes into power and gives me back my Breitling, the Breiling that pilots, scientists, and military men and enthusiasts used to reach for, the "Instruments for professionals" Breitling . Until then, I will always have a few of the older models in my collection, I might even start visiting the Vintage section soon, and enjoying the efforts of other brands that don't cater to the whims of Johny "hey mom I just graduated" Public.

If anyone finds my post offensive, I am deeply sorry. I do not mean to bash a brand to the audience of its fans, and I am not. Again my objections are against the direction of the organisation in contrast to the potential of the brand. This is just my opinion, and it is worth much less than two cents

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Certified watch nut.

Phew,

. Does that feel better now?

Ian

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Navitimer World, Callistino.
Omega Speedmaster Moon, Hamilton 992B, Steinhart BS LEII #2, B&R 01-92 Heritage

Altair,

How dare you! Come here with that AMAZING collection and think you have any right to question Breitling management.

Oh hang on...Hmmm you are totally, without question, properly qualified to offer a thoughtful, balanced perspective.

I am a bit Breitling addicted currently, but IWC and Panerai are beautiful, but to date I list heavily toward my 1st love.

I dont know which model Pam I love because I dont know which one is which, but I love the Portuguese IWC and kinda like the TopGun too.....I know I know...

JLC is a stranger too me having only seen a few.

But your thoughts are well received by me, and indeed you may have a begun very very good thread for everyones considered response

Davey

Empassioned thoughts Altair.

I am obviously of a similar mind as I have recently expressed, and personally I think that questioning a brand and it's direction is a good thing - it helps keep the brand honest (at least if they listen). Maybe you and I are just old fogeys that are being left behind by a brand that is consciously turning to a new type of market, but I can't help feeling that there is room for both tradition and modernity.

Oh and "Giganto-Vengers"

Thanks for your thoughts. Here are my statements - straight forward:

Personally, I feel that Breitling currently test their markets with multiple design directions in the Aeormarine-Line. That's the line which has been attracting me with their great price-value ratio, their masculine looks and ruggedness. As long as they keep some models with the traditional, edged turning bezel on the market (Avengers, Steelfish, Colt II), I am fine. But please don't make castrated Superocean-bezels and namby-pamby Colt GMT-bezels only!!!

I really dislike the design of the new Windrider-Line. I don't like the new B01 and I really detest the new Galactics (which I HAVE seen in the metal - doesn't change anything). Namby-mollycoddled bezels as far as I can see. If I had the money for another watch now I would get the old Cockpit right away!

The Professional-Line seems fine for me and the Navitimers won't change because they're the strongest heritage for Breitling. They wouldn't and shouldn't risk any changes here.

I don't follow you in light of the grade of technical innovation of Breitling: Breitling still reproduce the best ETA iterations available in the world and the new inhouse movement is a very good caliber, maybe the most rugged inhouse Chrono movement in the near future (for the next couple of years).

I don't care for Breitling's market experiments as long as they still produce some masculine, edged, solid and functional wrist watches at reasonable prices. But I think, that they follow a tightrope walk.

V.

Exactly my thoughts.


I agree. Although, I'm a bit disappointed by the size of the new Chronospace. I hope next year Breitling will introduce a "Chronospace Lite" with 42..44mm diameter.

As for the technical side, I'd love to see Breitling to roll out an in-house non-chrono movement next year, or at least put the only in-house movement (B01) into a Chronomat Evo, Blackbird, Navitimer, or Chrono-Matic case. I don't think any of that would happen next year though IMHO Breitling need to come up with something radically new in the Professional line, to keep up their status of "Instruments for Professionals". Something like solar cell, radio control, GPS, Bluetooth, thermometer, accelerometer, kinetic charging, etc.

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Ingenieur - Speedmaster - Submariner

I don't understand why you people are so wrapped up with the 'direction' of a company or their current design direction, or their management. If you don't like their current designs then buy something else....and why do people buy watches because of a companies history/heritage anyway?? I could care freakin less about a companies history...if they make a good looking watch with a solid movement and it brings me joy then I'll buy it. You guys are way to into the history of a brand.

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

That's the Breitling that appeals to me, too.

I agree with you, Altair. I can't pretend to be Breitling's most valuable customer (I've owned 2 of them) but it was Breitling that first caught my eye and got me into this watch-obsession thing. In a lot of ways the brand's recent positioning and models just seem to have a "middle of the road" feeling for me. Not a particularly eloquent explanation, I know, but that's what it feels like.

If I get another Breitling any time soon (and this is something I didn't see myself saying until recently) it might well be a quartz one. Say what you will about quartz, the Professional line fits in with what I think are the best qualities of the brand, and they represent something you can't get anywhere else.

Well, unfortunately I agree with you my friend. I do not like the way they are going. All I can hope for is that one day we can look back at this thread and laugh because things went back to how they used to be or we open up to the new direction they have taken.

I think there is a big difference between those who think these watches look pretty and keep time vs the other WIS who appreciate the craftsmanship and history as if it was a famous piece of artwork. Most of us started thinking like mfserge, but many of us move on beyond the initial lust into the appreciation of more than the watches exterior.

I love how some people compare watch movements to artwork..... If you don't have an exhibition back or a skeleton face what difference does it make how decorated the movement is? It's like buying a picaso, covering it with a sheet, and talking about how beautiful your artwork is (that you can't see)

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

I like the passion Altair, watches are instruments that elicit strong emotions afterall. Breitling got me into this whole luxury watch world and will always be my favourite and most cherished brand. I do agree however that it is tough to compare them with an IWC, JLC, Rolex or Panerai as they lack that manufacturer element. Disregarding some of their new offerings, their are still a large number of classic designs that really are ageless (think Navi, Chronomat and the professional series). So regardless of how they continue to evolve, the brand still has a lot to offer in my opinion. Just ignore the new stuff who knows they might end up moving in our preferred direction anyway.

I also like that you're chasing a World. It really is a striking watch!

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

You know what Otto, despite the fact that I'm really not into Quartz that much, there is something about the EM that grabs me. I like what you're saying!

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

Exactly my experience. I first got interested in Breitling because of their aviation design/theme watches and the Aerospace was the first model that I liked, lightweight, multi-functional, accurate, etc. Things progressed from there with the mechanicals taking over. After some time and research I've grown to appreciate other brands, IWC, Panerai, Omega, etc. I still have a couple of favorite Breitling models that I hope to eventually acquire but am not restricting myself to just Breitling.

With that said, I found myself recently re-visiting the Aerospace (like the new dial), feel like I'm going in full circle - back to my original lust.

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Yea, as a watch enthusiast; I think they should "stick to their roots." But, I can also understand how they want to sell more watches by appealing to the masses. It's a 2-edged sword. I got into luxury watches because of Breitling's selections, of late, there's less and less that appeals to me.

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UN Maxi Marine Ti
B01, BEB
SOH
Aerospace Ti
Chrono SO
Omega 300 Master Co-Axial Chro
Omega PO Chrono.
AP ROO Diver
Titan Black Rolex DSOD Honeycomb Dial

[quote="Tim S"]I do agree however that it is tough to compare them with an IWC, JLC, Rolex or Panerai as they lack that manufacturer element.[/quote]

Breitling still lack the manufacturer status, they have something of a "tuning"-status which I like. For me, the manufacturer element is not important at all, because it mostly means increasing pricing for less failure-resistance. I want the best for a reasonable price. The "best" is highly subjective, I know (because I didn't own enough Breitlings to judge objectively), but so far it's this I got from Breitling. So, please Breitling, keep it on that level.

V.