The Breitling Watch Source Forums

It was such a lovely day today, I just had to take “lunch” in the form of a visit to the AD. What was I to do – I had traded my white dial Skyracer, they still had it, and I wanted it back! Score.

There were a few 2011 models that had arrived yesterday. Chronomat 41, Chronomat GMT, standard Transocean, new standard Navi, and the SO 44.

First, among the entire group the most off-putting was the SO 44. The rubber bezel looked huge and awkward against the brushed Steelfish case. The dial was both boring and decidedly asymmetrical. I can say for certain there isn’t one thing about that watch I found appealing. It didn’t help that a black dial Steelfish was directly behind these in the display.

The biggest disappointment was the Chronomat 41. The bezel width seemed disproportionately wide compared to the dial. The box in the dial did not work at all on such a small dial. It was “meh” at best. But the sticker shock was what put this one in the “Are you f@#$(^g kidding me” range. $8,000ish.

And that range carried over to the other 2011 B01 models. The Transocean with a white/silver dial and grey/silver subs was pretty nice on a black croco, but man that price point hurt.

Leaving price aside, if you like big-ass watches and the Chronomat 01, you will adore the Chronomat GMT. The one I saw was a black-eye-blue dial.

Now, the standard B01 Navi – black dial with applied metal arabics on a bracelet that appeared to taper a tad more than the usual 2MMs. It was out-freaking-rageously awesome. Maybe the nicest Breitling I have seen. Nicer IMO than the Navi 01 LEs. But the price point on the bracelet is pretty close to $9,000 and that just removed it from my radar.

Having seen some new models, I can’t say I strongly disagree with some style changes. They need to be better executed in my judgment. This box in the dial design has seen it’s day and needs to go the way of Dodo birds. If you are looking for a new B01 based model on a bracelet, be prepared to work your discount from the $8K + vicinity. And that for me is the big problem I have with which I know not all concur – Breitling chronographs have jumped to a new range of price points that I would normally expect to see on JLC and some other brands. In house movement notwithstanding, it simply isn’t a price point I can justify for a Breitling. Particularly when the style doesn't wow me.

But I have my Skyracer back so all is copacetic for a lovely afternoon in sunny Phoenix.

OK, the negative fest is over - have a great weekend fellas.

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SHARKMAN

Sad that the price is making some of the nicer Breitlings not an option these days. But then I have to agree that if the prices are approaching JLC territory, then Breitling have a way to go before they can compete in that realm.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

wow nice real world review SM. I too have real issue with the price points of the new models not to mention the styleing. No breitling in-house so for you SM?

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

Very surprised to hear your thoughts on the Navi 01. I liked the LE more because of the white gold logo but I do like the black date wheel on the non-LE.

I agree that Breitling needs to lose that damn square in the middle of the dial...it's a 'distractor' for me.

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

The small applied arabics caught me off gaurd - really very attractive in person.

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SHARKMAN

Wait a minute....you're talking about the navi dial with the numbers on it????????????

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

YES! They are applied arabics, not painted.

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SHARKMAN

That price point is getting a little out there. Particularly for a brand that considers their offerings to be tools for professionals.

I concur on the square being past it's time, but I'm glad to hear the TO looks nice. Would you say the different collored sub dials gave ut a sportier look? What about the clear caseback? Was it the same as the LE?

At $8k+ the wait will be a little longer than I expected, but nonetheless, still gonna be no 4 in the stable.

Wow, I didn't see that coming!!!! The photos look horrendous.

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

Glad to hear that some of the models look much better in person than in pictures, but at north of $8K I will be looking at other brands. One of the big things that originally attracted me to the brand was the vast selection of watches that were available at $6K or less. IMO they have too much competition at $8K+.

Great review, Tom. I'm pretty much with everyone else on this regarding prices. I've made no secret that I'm no fan of Breitling's design trends of late. I find it doubly ironic that the company thinks those are the styles that will make people think the brand is in the same company as others at that price point. The Navi is an exception, but at $9k, I can think of a lot of other watches I'd consider alongside it, and I'm not sure the Navi would be my first choice.

+ 1

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