The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I know I am I think I am I'm an old git.

However, I have not seen one new Breitling model I like, (in fact most I dislike, bolarks let me be blunt , I hate them) They look like toy watches! 'oh lets put a bit of red/yellow/pink/green on it sweety' looks nice now a bit of BS ohhh that's nice.

Just thought I would throw all my stuff out of the pram at the same time.

Your thoughts please (not on my...) I am going to try that kin Cartier XL on by the by. That's how old I am.

Fahrenheit 451

Now, if you like them that's cool.

Old n grumpy n proud.

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Al,

Breitling company is in business of making money for their owners. That means selling as many watches as they can, at the highest profit margin possible.

How many watches are produced by Breitling each year? Several hundreed thousands, millions? I bet you collectors are tiny segment of the buying public. Therefore - let's face it, unfortunately we are probably not that high up in their priority list.

Breitling probably makes most of their money from people who like 'bling', also from the customers who are not familiar with company traditions and are after trendy watches.

I am fine with flashy models, I just wish they keep few traditional models which retain the spirit of the company.

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Chronomat :: Evolution Red | Evolution Frecce Tricolori | Longitude
Navitimer :: Montbrillant Eclipse | Old II | Current
Professional :: B-1 | B-2 w UTC
Colt :: GMT

You are of course correct from a commercial point of view.

And I am solid with you on traditional.

However... (cake please) I want art.

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Compromises, my friend!

Just like with most things in life

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Chronomat :: Evolution Red | Evolution Frecce Tricolori | Longitude
Navitimer :: Montbrillant Eclipse | Old II | Current
Professional :: B-1 | B-2 w UTC
Colt :: GMT

At the risk of bringing down more wrath on my head from familiar quarters..........

I am sensing a divergence in Breitling from where their watches are going and their 'Instruments for Professionals' moniker.

I see it here as well, in the last 18 - 24 months this forum has gotten 'younger' as Breitling draws a more youthful market to the brand. Their design decisions have reinforced that move, and as a traditionalist (some would say old fogey, although I am still in my 30s) that disappoints me, although it clearly is an economic move. Whether it is a move exacerbated by the current global economy, or whether that has nothing to do with it (although production volumes reduced last year and I suspect more in the Navitimer range than the Aeromarine range), it's clearly conscious - I may not like it, but so be it.

At the same time Breitling are still positioning themselves as Instruments for Professionals, which to me speaks more to the Navitimer and Professional ranges, and I'm not sure where the professional connection is in many cases. The SuperOcean II is the exception with the association with Herbert Nitsch - a mixed review of the connection if the discussion here is indicative, but clearly a professional in his field. Even here though it's a significant step away from the image of the professional that I had - a nameless pilot using a tool to assist them with their role - however outdated that may be today.

I am excited by the idea of an in house DB Navitimer, and I will look forward to Basel each year, but I am starting to think that the brand is leaving me behind, or perhaps it's the other way round. It may be time to look beyond the anchor and wings Alan.

?????

Rolex only makes 900,000/year.

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SHARKMAN

http://www.myspace.com/f451nyc

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For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
http://f4buz.com/watches/breitling/fakes/fakes.html

Well...As much as it pains me to say...I agree with some of these points. Breitling's new designs have been a major disappointment to me as well. I'm not happy with the number of Blacksteel models they're making, it's far far too many. I'm very aggravated with their strategy of making a minor change to a watch, calling it a limited edition, and charging an extra $1k + for it. I'm also a bit disappointed with their lack of innovation...they released a rubber bezel but why not a ceramic bezel? Why not an exhibition caseback?

I also think they've created too many 'new' models, I'd prefer to see half that many but with more options similar to how the SuperOcean II comes in different color rings.

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

In the warm light of morning I note that I may have offended half the forum, if so my apologies.

It is my opinion (Roff just puts it so much more eloquantly). This traditionalist bought his first Colt over 20 years ago.

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

I don't think you've offended anyone Al, and I agree with you. In this years 'Chronolog' there wasn't much that grabbed me bar previous models in the Navitimer line that have been around for a while.

Most of the models in there that I would give a lingering look over such as the Avenger series I have tried previously but didn't hold on to them.

I think given the fact that very recently I have traded in two current line up models for vintage pieces has kind of set the scene for me. I prefer the more traditional look over the current line up.

I'm in agreement with Roff, I look forward to the release of a Navitimer with the B01 movement, perfection for me would be Navitimer World size, black dial, silver subs, just plain and simple, no dart board effect please!

During my 'collection re-alignment process' (as I like to call it) I've realised that there are some excellent niche tool watches out there to be had for very good money, the likes of Boschett and Helson spring to mind, whereby I can still get good quality Swiss movements in a fairly unique package at an excellent price.

I fear my new Breitling buying may be over, the four Breitlings I have will be keepers and I think my future new purchases may well lie with other brands. However, there are plenty of older model Breitlings that still tickle my fancy!

But I think my next new watch purchase in the coming weeks may well be a Russian!

Stef

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Stef you are not going for a 70mm sub watch?!

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

LOL, no, nothing that big, this classy number................



It's called a Poljot Journey

Stef

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Very smart!

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

I was hoping to buy my partner of 14 years a Lady Cockpit for her 40th in October this year . But they are no longer available and neither of us likes the Galactica so we are now looking at an Omega Constellation . On the positive side I recently bought a Lady J for her from Watches Unlimited who are " trusted online dealers " . We are now impatiently awaiting delivery .

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Breitling Superocean Steelfish
Breitling Evolution Chronomat
Breitling Montbrillant Datora
Rolex GMT Master 11 BLNR
Rolex Submariner

I'm a little more in two minds about Breitlings direction that I used to be. Maybe I've given it too much thought (entirely possible! ) but I really can see progression without trashing the past....... but only in one specific area. Let's take the Chronomat B01. The dial is actually very traditional in terms of layout and markings, but with a few modern twists. The case is actually a good size, and even though I was irritated at the time that it wasn't a bit bigger, 43.5mm isn't exactly small, and now I'm actually seriously pleased it isn't some 49mm bling bling behemoth as that really would've moved away from the "Instruments For Professionals" ethos. The movement is again very traditional in layout but with a few nice modern touches in terms of power reserve, date change protection, etc. IMO it makes the Chronomat B01 a genuine contender to the Rolex Daytona, but at a much more palatable price. Let's be honest, if it wasn't for "that bezel", far more people would've liked it straight away. While the lack of minute marks reduces the bezels practicality a little, it's still uni-directional, still has a pearl (unlike the SO II which really should have it considering it's a professional diver's watch ), and besides the Chronomat never was a diver's watch anyway. As some of you may know, I've actually come to quite like the new bezel ( ) in recent months, so in that respect I'm able to see past the most polarising aspect of it, so I truly believe that the Chronomat B01 really is an evolution of the old Chronomat design which first appeared in it's modern form in 1984. OK so a lot of people dislike the look of the bezel : that's fine, but it doesn't mean a total divergence from their roots.

That said, then I totally agree with others who say that a few colour splashes here, a bucket-load of DLC there is nothing more than fluff and nonsense. There is an awful lot in the collection nowadays that panders to fashion more than function, and that is a shame. And whats more of a shame is that the B01 gets caught up in that impression, when in actually fact I believe it's an extremely competant creation.

With the news of a B01 Navi in the pipeline, and a non-chrono in-house potentially in the offing, then I personally believe there will be a few great pieces yet to come. I just think we're going to have search through all the DLC and colour "hints" to be able to find them.

Oh and lastly -

A traditional-styled Navi in a decent size (I'd maybe say somewhere between a Navi Olympus at 43mm and a Navi World at 46mm) would perfection. Fingers crossed!

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Driver8

Site Moderator