The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm not sure if referring to other blogs etc is allowed (Mods feel free to delete) but an interesting take on the Navi design here. I hope Breitling don't see the orange one; we could be in real trouble.

http://www.ablogtoread.com/watch-what-i ... navitimer/

I LOVE the look of that blacksteel navitimer. If Breitling would make an inhouse Navi with a black ceramic case, just like that photo (and not DLC or PVD) then it would be a real winner!!!!!!!!!

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

Very good work, better than most of Breitling's own recent efforts.

The one with the prop reminds me of a Corum model.

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Very nicely done artwork, but most of those aren't yanking my chain TBH. The first one is clearly the bastard son of a Navi and Rolie GMT, and I agree with Sharky that the prop one is just way too "comedic" and Corum for my liking.

The all black Navi looks very cool (although it's definitely crying out for a black date wheel), but as Sergio said if it was yet another DLC job it'd be a no-no. A ceramic Navi on the other hand would be awesome (even if it was just the head), but the absolute best Navi IMO would be a tantalum version with a full tantalum Navi bracelet. Now that WOULD be something to see.

Sadly, I think the only one Breitling would actually be likely to make is that black and orange abortion. Please, please, pleeeeeeease no-one vote for it!!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I think that we are fairly safe with the orange one given that it isn't actually a Navitimer without the Navitimer sliderule. Black is the best for me, but does need the black date wheel as Driver8 noted and does need to be anything but DLC.

Based on recent history, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw something like the orange bezel that they show. The ceramic case would be something I'd like to see.

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Justin
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Wouldn't a ceramic case be more prone to cracking/chipping/breaking?

I'm not familiar with tantalum. How similar is it to tungsten carbide?

The whole "ceramic being brittle" thing is highly over-egged IMO. Yes it can crack on account of it being extremely hard, but a knock that's hard enough to crack it would also do some serious damage to a steel watch too.

Tantalum is quite rare and is very hard and dense although not as much as tungsten. Plus it's a very cool dark grey/blue colour. Here's a tantalum Panerai - great colour!

http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/imag ... anerai.htm

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Well, here is my experience of 'other' materials. I'm interested to hear what people think.

I had a ring made of Haematite (iron ore crystal) which I was led to believe is VERY strong. It was strong and a lovely colour (a very deep and rich gun metal grey) but one day I hit it against a machine which swallowed my money and it shattered. End of Haematite ring. .

Then I saw a ring owned by a friend which was a very similar colour to the Haematite (slightly lighter and more of a silvery gun metal colour). It was Tungsten Carbide and I have one now (I've had it for about a year and haven't managed to shatter it yet nor scratch it ). It would be a fabulous material to make a watch case out of IMHO but I don't know the mechanics of making it in the right shape and nor how you would machine it.

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TAG Professional (Silver/Gold) 2000 - still going strong and kept as spare when Wolf is away.
Breitling B1 (Blue) 2003 - 2008.
Breitling Airwolf (Black Sunburst) 2008 - Date.

I have a Movado in tungsten carbide. I've had it for over six years, and it looks almost as good as new, although I was surprised in looking at it the other day to see a few hairline scratches on one of the links. Nothing like what you get with steel, though. Except for that one little area, there isn't so much as a ding on it. I'd be interested in seeing more watches made out of it.

Way off topic, but haematite and tungsten carbide aren't even in the same league when it comes to hardness - Vickers rating is 2242 for TC, only around 1,000 for haematite (316L steel is 140)

Thanks JacksonStone and Roff,

Yes I agree, way off topic but interesting all the same .

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TAG Professional (Silver/Gold) 2000 - still going strong and kept as spare when Wolf is away.
Breitling B1 (Blue) 2003 - 2008.
Breitling Airwolf (Black Sunburst) 2008 - Date.

I have a Lum Tec M25 made of tungsten, and it's not got a single scratch after a year and a half of wear, and that includes knocking it on a couple of things. My review of it is here.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=23603

Absolutely brilliant material for watch cases.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Just had a look Driver - that watch is a real beauty .

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TAG Professional (Silver/Gold) 2000 - still going strong and kept as spare when Wolf is away.
Breitling B1 (Blue) 2003 - 2008.
Breitling Airwolf (Black Sunburst) 2008 - Date.

that blackdialed navi is awesome!!!!!