The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey guys. I was visiting my local AD, who just had some of the new SO in stock. I couldn't resist trying one on, with a OR strap. Something about it didn't resonate with me at all. It just didn't feel like a breitling to me, and i found the bezel to be quite cheaply constructed, compared to the old bezel. Although i tried very hard to like it, it just wasn't for me. Now i can shift the budget towards something else

I thought it was FANTASTICO !

A complete break from the norm....and actually a "new" model.... rather than an updated dial, bracelet,hands, font...etc....etc....

I personally love the new SO; however I prefer a little more wrist presence or I would be all over the new SO. I think they have done a great job

I think it would be better if they named that something else.
I like it. But i think i like old model more.

I wonder if Breitling, even for a moment, considered a black ceramic bezel insert?
I wonder what this watch would have looked like?

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SHARKMAN

The fact that they did not do the ceramic is what eventually won me over. I liked it because it was different. Don't get me wrong, I love the new ceramic bezel craze...but it's nice to see something new.

I had a chance to try the new SO recently and it's DEFINITELY not for me. Too small (although I knew that just from the stats without even seeing it), but the rubber bezel is the real killer for me.

It's been said before, but the lack of a pearl means it's no longer a "proper" divers tool (not that I dive, but if somethinig is sold as a thing, it should be that thing IMO), and I just find rubber to be a really cheap feeling material. The rubber bezel put me off the CM49 a few years ago, and nothing has changed.

It's a shame because I like the dial, so a bit more size/heft and a metal bezel, and I'd have liked it a lot.

Sorry to those who like it, but it seems to have a loyal following from some on here and I guess it's another case of "one man's food is another man's poison", etc.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

arrrrrgh...whadda you know !

Yeah sorry Murph! Just my (very close to worthless) opinion!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Yeah, I just raised it because one of the main concerns raised by the New SO's naysayers seems durabilit of the rubber insert. As a Raven owner, I certainly hope Breitling's "bezel rubber" is tested durable, but can not find any info on that.

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SHARKMAN

Rubber seems to be a popular material these days, so if there ends up being issues in the future, everyone from Timex to Jaeger is gonna have a problem on their hands. I tend to think we'll all be just fine.

Side note to everyone else:
The watch definitely doesnt have the in your face appeal of most breitlings, but that is precisely why I bought it. Ive owned enough B's to have gotten over the initial fascination, and I really wanted something that a) wasnt too expensive, b) was able to fly under the radar. Hey, maybe ill get sick of it one day, but for now it fits the bill.

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-RJ

I never thought much about issues with rubber when I got the Skyracer Raven(I saw it, I loved it, I bought it), but some of the Raven and new SO posts caused me to worry. The Raven is still in my top 3.

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SHARKMAN

I'm really not that worried. I used my finger nail to do a light scratch test and this stuff is pretty tough. I think it would take as much heat as it's SS brother. Also, the rubber on my cars has never faded and my watch isn't sitting in the freaking sun all day, so I have no concerns there. By the time (if ever) it fades, it will be many many years down the road and I'll be much more worried about recasing it from the inevitable dings vs replacing a bezel.

Good point.

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SHARKMAN