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Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
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Author:  46crew [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
Hey guys,
now that the new Chronomat look has permeated Breitling enthusiasts (in a good or bad way), I was wondering what others thought of the Chronomat GMT. I have handled it a few times, and at first I was a bit put off by it's size, but it's growing on me. The black and blue dials have an inner silver ring which actually makes the dial appear smaller in my opinion. After reading the Watch Time article a few times, I do agree that is a lot watch for the $$. (not just the size) Personally I would have liked it a bit more if it were 45mm, but that's just me. I'm a chrono guy, and having an in-house movement, chrono and GMT function is pretty attractive to me. The bezel has grown on me, and I really love my B01 Ltd. As large as it is, it is quite comfortable especially with a leather or rubber strap. Is there anyone out there who owns one, and has any good input to chime in? I am very close to picking one up. I will eventually get my Rolex Sub :wink: , but this may be my first 2012 watch. All comments are welcome of course. :D

-Don
Author:  boogiebot [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
if you have the wrist size to pull it off then i say go for it. you really need to see it in the metal and try it on.
Author:  Driver8 [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
The Chronomat GMT benefits/suffers (depending on your point of view!) from the current Chronomat styling - i.e. The Buckified bezel and the 583 fonts - so that aspect of it is a really personal "like it or loathe it" kind of thing.

Personally I've "warmed" to the new Chronomat look, but no-where near enough to really want one myself.

However, aside from the family looks, the biggest issue I personally found with the Chronomat GMT was the size. It struck me as pseudo-SA sized and that, IMO, is way too big and clumsy for a Chronomat. But as always that's just a personal opinion.
Author:  46crew [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
Driver8 wrote:
However, aside from the family looks, the biggest issue I personally found with the Chronomat GMT was the size. It struck me as pseudo-SA sized and that, IMO, is way too big and clumsy for a Chronomat. But as always that's just a personal opinion.



It's funny you mentioned that, as I thought it was too big for a Chronomat too. But I have warmed up to it a lot. But like everything else here, it's a matter of preference. :D
Author:  pkeung [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
If you want a smaller watch then this is not for you. I like bigger watches (my Navi World is starting to feel small) and when I saw this in Silver/White I really liked it, thus I ordered one. To me the SA is just a big toy with minimal functionality whereas the Chronomat GMT has the 2nd time zone and a 70hr power reserve. The coloured versions of the GMT do appear a lot smaller vs. the Silver.
Author:  sharkman [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
I've looked at the black-eye-gray closely and like it. Fortunately the size makes it unthinkable.
Author:  46crew [ Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
Wow, I thought I'd see a lot more responses than this..... :poke: Any GMT owners out there?
Author:  Twotone540 [ Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
46crew wrote:
Wow, I thought I'd see a lot more responses than this..... :poke: Any GMT owners out there?

Which GMT?
I love my Rolex GMTII-C.....But, I have not worn it since I got my Cockpit two-tone a couple of weeks ago :lingsrock:
Author:  JacksonStone [ Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
I have warmed up to the Chronomat 44. Not long ago, I railed against it. I now could possibly see myself owning one if it's the right finish (brushed bezel) and dial styling (LE or BEB are at the top of the list - Romans less so), although I'd have to try it on again to see if I can handle the size. However, if I'm going to spend that much on a watch, I can think of a number of others I would buy first, and none of them are Breitlings. But the point is, like Driver8, I've come around to it. That said, the Chronomat GMT is just too damn big. It also costs almost a grand more than the Chronomat 44, and has an even busier looking dial. There's simply no way I would ever get it.

Also, just because I no longer detest the Chronomat 44 does not mean I condone Breitling's insistence on remaking all Windriders with Buck Rogers font. The fact still remains that, in the Windrider line, I liked what came before the B01 better than what has come since. I also find the Galactics to be an insult, considering they replaced the great Cockpit lineup. The Galactic Chrongraph II may be the biggest slap in the face yet to all Chronomat lovers. If I were a rich man, I'd buy one simply so I could burn it, videotape the ceremony, and post it on Youtube under the username Breitlingsucksballs.
Author:  46crew [ Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
JacksonStone wrote:
I have warmed up to the Chronomat 44. Not long ago, I railed against it. I now could possibly see myself owning one if it's the right finish (brushed bezel) and dial styling (LE or BEB are at the top of the list - Romans less so), although I'd have to try it on again to see if I can handle the size. However, if I'm going to spend that much on a watch, I can think of a number of others I would buy first, and none of them are Breitlings. But the point is, like Driver8, I've come around to it. That said, the Chronomat GMT is just too damn big. It also costs almost a grand more than the Chronomat 44, and has an even busier looking dial. There's simply no way I would ever get it.

Also, just because I no longer detest the Chronomat 44 does not mean I condone Breitling's insistence on remaking all Windriders with Buck Rogers font. The fact still remains that, in the Windrider line, I liked what came before the B01 better than what has come since. I also find the Galactics to be an insult, considering they replaced the great Cockpit lineup. The Galactic Chrongraph II may be the biggest slap in the face yet to all Chronomat lovers. If I were a rich man, I'd buy one simply so I could burn it, videotape the ceremony, and post it on Youtube under the username Breitlingsucksballs.


Ha! Now that's the response I'm looking for! :D Honestly, I appreciate the opinions and thoughts here. Personally, I really like the Chronomat GMT. But only the black or blue dial. It is large, but to me, the watch wears smaller than 47mm with those dials because the inner ring (if that is what you call it) is silver and the dial appears smaller. I do have a black dial on order and can't wait to get it. I know it's not cheap, but Breitling is pushing forward with in-house movements, and the company is evolving. Do I like all the new models? No. Rubber and raspberry bezels? NO! But this watch is for me. I've tried to go smaller than say 43mm, but my damn wrist is just too big. 44-45mm is perfect for me.

I agree that the Galactic line is just a temporary, direction-less, time waster. The galactic chrono is nothing more than a Chronomat Evo with a different bezel.
Author:  JacksonStone [ Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
46crew wrote:
The galactic chrono is nothing more than a Chronomat Evo with a different bezel.

And that's exactly why I hate it. They took a much-loved model, and put an ugly, far less useful bezel on it, and upped the price by $500. Adding insult to injury, they gave it a brushed finish. How many Evo fans would have wet themselves over the prospect of a brushed Evo? Does Breitling provide it? Of course not. Instead, Breitling basically flips us all the bird by releasing this pathetic instrument for poseurs. I really have been trying to find more positive things about Breitling's current lineup, reasons not to completely forsake the brand. But when I look at things like the GCII, I'm reminded why I have to try in the first place.
Author:  JustinFournier [ Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
I tried on a GMT yesterday, with my 7" wrist all I could do was laugh.

If you can pull it off, all the power to you!

I tried on a Chronomat 41 as well, just to see how it lined up against my 44 and let me tell you, for $8960 for either the 41 or the 44, I hope you REALLY like the GMT, cause that bad boy is gonna run near $10gs here.
Author:  JacksonStone [ Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
JustinFournier wrote:
I tried on a Chronomat 41 as well, just to see how it lined up against my 44 and let me tell you, for $8960 for either the 41 or the 44, I hope you REALLY like the GMT, cause that bad boy is gonna run near $10gs here.

I'm curious how you felt the 41 compared to the 44. I was encouraged by the fact Breitling introduced a more moderately sized Chronomat, but I don't like the asymmetry of the dial design, or the fact that (so far) it isn't offered with a brushed bezel. Otherwise, it would be a watch I would consider more seriously.
Author:  46crew [ Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
JustinFournier wrote:
I tried on a GMT yesterday, with my 7" wrist all I could do was laugh.

If you can pull it off, all the power to you!

I tried on a Chronomat 41 as well, just to see how it lined up against my 44 and let me tell you, for $8960 for either the 41 or the 44, I hope you REALLY like the GMT, cause that bad boy is gonna run near $10gs here.


I can pull it off. :D And you're right, at the price, I better LOVE it. I am very attracted to in-house, chrono and GMT all in one. I can't wait until it gets here. Here is my SA, and even with my weight loss, my wrist hasn't changed much.....

Image
Author:  JustinFournier [ Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on the Chronomat GMT
46crew, YES :lol: you can pull it off. SA looks good! Congrats on the GMT and wear it in good health. Pics when it arrives!

Forgive the thread-jack...

You know what Nathan, I really like the concept of the 41 as well to replace my Sierra Silver Colt Auto II which is fully polished as a daily.

I was not big on the asymmetrical square on the dial, it doesn't translate well in pics, but in person, it looks very good. The bezel is an issue for me, because as it is fully polished, and would be my daily, I am sure I would get marks on it, which I would then see every single time I looked at the watch and drive me nuts, so I don't think it would age as well as my Colt Auto II has. I still like the font better on a brushed bezel as well.

There is very little difference between the 44 and the 41 at the end of the day price wise. In fact, my AD had them for the exact same price, $8960. I can get a 20% discount on that, but tax here is 12% so I will not get a whole lot off of that. $8960 for a 41 is a tough pill to swallow when just a few months ago I bought my Chronomat 44 LE from the same ad with a sticker price of $8125. However since that purchase, the last price increase went in (it was delayed here vs when it went in down south).

So all in all, I would like to see how the 41 sells, and what they do to add to the line if it sells well; maybe more finishes or dial colours. I'm not crossing it off my list, but I am not for sure saying I want one.

On another note, my AD has pre-sold all their new Colts coming in the first shipment..... I didn't see that one coming! I went down to see how they look in the metal to see if I could get into one to replace my Colt now as I was not big on the 41's dial. Not sure which way to go yet as new daily.

The Transocean Chrono on mesh are selling VERY well, if I was a suit guy @ work, I would buy one for sure, just beautiful on the mesh. I love it.

They have not sold a single red bezel piece yet, and they have the Airwolf and Chronomatic in stock. So it's not totally unexpected sales wise.

Back to regular programing after my thread-jack!
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