Driver8 wrote:
I've only read your Chronomat B04 GMT review at the moment, Ricardo, but it's up to your usual very high standard. Excellent writing and a nice review.
That said, I don't echo your appreciation of the GMT quite so much I'm afraid. In the initial pictures I thought I was going to love it, but after handling one I found that I really didn't like it at all. For a start it is way too shiny and way too big IMO, even for my 7.5 - 7.75" wrists. There are two size issues for me - firstly, the long lugs on the new Chronomat cases mean it's a very long case - far more so in fact that the fractionally larger bentley models that fit me just fine. And secondly, it's a seriously high watch on the wrist - almost SA-like, which for a (fairly) cheap and cheerful bling-bling "gangsta boy" watch like the SA is fine : considerably less so for a serious attempt at horological mastery. And I'm 100% convinced it's big for big's sake because, as Ike rightly pointed out, the B04 is the same size as the B01. I'm not sure I buy the increased legibility argument either as the standard Navi, at only 41mm or so, also has a heck of a lot going on on the dial without the need to "bling-out".
IMO, the Chronomat B01, for all it's multiple font and bezel foibles, is the MUCH nicer watch.
I just hope Breitling have the good sense to put the B04 in a 44mm to 46mm traditional Navi case at some point.
Thank You for Your kind words Mr Driver, and I appreciate you taking the time to give us your personal opinion of the B04 GMT.
Yours seems to be the opposite reflection to my experience. Upon first seeing the press pictures and hearing the retail price was I thought it was overpriced and didn't have any real appeal. However, after having spent two days wearing, inspecting and handling it I now think it is a glorious timepiece. The price would most definitely not put me off now. It would be the size. Now that I have the information I agree with you that it seems to be oversized for fashions sake, and that is just wrong. I totally agree that it should be no where near the size of the B4Bs and the SA. 44mm would have made much more sense, although I still stand by my original opinion that the extra girth does aid legibility but I do happily concede that it really wouldn't make much of a difference.
The polished bezel also now makes sense to me because it is so well finished and fits in with the rest of the watch. The polished rider tabs are perfectly formed and I think this has a lot to do with my change of heart.
Despite all this I too would buy the B01 instead. It's a shame because the B04 is a fantastic in-house proprietary movement for Breitling.
If Breitling themselves do indeed read this then I would like to request a 44mm B04 GMT model with B01 hour markers. That would possibly be my favourite Breitling ever.
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