The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So today I finally found the time, no pun intended, to pop by Baselworld and inspect the state of the 'Ling.

Was it really true? Had Breitling really lost the last bit of sense of direction? Considering the recent news of a monstrosity called the SO 2000, it was indeed to be believed... Or was it?

Ok, let's be honest here, it was. The pictures do the SO 2000 no justice, it is much worse in real life. Same goes for the gold-bezeled SOs and SOHes.

However, before I took the plunge into the the watch box to see how bad it all really was, I had the discussion swift off towards a topic I genuinely cared about. Not so much the state of the 'Ling, but the state of the Navi.

And I am pleased to report, there are better news than you may think. First, the new "chronolog complement" begins with a Navi. Although not formally announced yet, the Cosmonaute is a badly, of at all, kept secret. Breitling then, have been happy to let me see it and I have to say, similar though it may be to my 01, I might well buy one. It is magnificent with its 24 digits and its white gold pair of applied wings. It will be presented on May 23rd in NYC by Mr. Carpenter himself in honor of the 50th anniversary.

But there is more...

As I have written before, I love the Chronospace Auto and I want one... in a close future. The thing is though, I'd like it to have the same dial my Navi has, white eyed black classic Navi style.

So far, it only came in black on black with cheesy rings around the subdials.

Taken into a moment of imaginary empowerment and wanting to change the world, I thought I'd mention that as a "to do" for the future. I live and work in a firm where doors are open and ideas can go a long way. I figured, if Breitling is anything like that, why not push that stone, who knows where it'll end up.

I did and boy did it take an interesting turn from there. All I got as an answer was a grin and a "well, you're gonna luv this".

Ladies and Gentlemen. I am very pleased to announce that Breitling apparently knows what we want before we tell them, because next thing I know "my" Chronospace Auto, just like I wanted it all along, popps up. Black dial, cream subs, white fully lumed arabics (these could be replaced by the square batons with the massive 12 for my taste, but they look properly good as is).

And there is more!

For those who don't like the mesh, there seems to be a new bracelet option coming.

Very little, if at all, published about it, but very good news, is it not? Pretty much makes good for the not having a TO Unitimer to show me which I found a bit sad.

Now Breitling, all that's left to do is to not make Superoceans anymore. The Avengers are perfectly sufficient and pretty much out there in the public opinion, stick with those. As for the Transocean, I can't speak for the Unitimer obviously, but the yearly calendar is splendid!

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

Pics!!!

Thanks for all the great info, but I for one (and there are plenty more "wrist-challenged" Ling fanatics out there) would be quite p###ed if Breitling wiped out the "former" Aeromarine Automatic line smaller than 45mm. The Superoceans are the only automatic option in the modest price range under 45mm. Come on, think of the under-privileged, man!

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SHARKMAN

It's good to know not all hope is lost!

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Suunto Elementum Terra
Schaumburg Watch, Lindbergh & Benson AquaTitan
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~ RotaryRx7

I'm with Shark, anything over 44mm is too big, so having nothing over that makes the line a moot point!

As for the rest of it, pics please! Thank you for taking the time to write this up!! I for one am encouraged though I never gave up hope.

I haven't given up hope, but this news isn't enough to alleviate my doubts, either. The "state of the Navi" has been fine all along; it's a number of the other lines that are bumming me out. Seeing pics of Sharkie's a13352 and Crosswind just confirms for me that I don't think I'll feel totally fine with the brand until the Chronomat/Windrider line is restored to its former glory. And no...the "new" Blackbird is not a step in the right direction.

With you on that, but that's no reason to make them look anonymous and cheap. I think It'd be more sensible to just have the stronger lines bubble down. All I'm saying is that if you can't do a ceramic bezel, don't make a watch that needs one... There is a lot to be changed with the Superoceans in my book, hence my argument to just throw them out completely and make a small and affordable Avenger instead.

Aside from that, there is an argument to be made for not going too broad in terms of demographic. There are different watchbrands for different markets and since a brands identity is easily harmed, one'd be well advised to go for a Rolex/Tudor solution if the demographic became too spread out.the argument is not to keep Breitling to the privileged, but to keep Breitling Breitling as opposed to some watch company. Look at Tag, the danger's there...

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

by "underprivileged" I thought it was pretty obvious I meant small of wrist.

We all agree the answer isn't rubber bezel inserts. But if they had just kept it to the SOII, there wouldn't be a real problem that requires answering. Breitling has had 3 hand automatic "dress/sport" watches in the 41mm range and "dive" watches in the 42mm range for a long time. The market will out and the rubber inserts will go away eventually. In the meantime, at least keep the door open. It's like everything else, once something is taken away, it is very hard to get it back. I'd hate to see the 39-42mm options being the f'ugly Galactics.

The SOII retails currently at $3,550. Not exactly a poor man's watch. Whereas the entry level Tag auto is almost $1,000 less, worth even less, and clearly not the same in fit, finish, heft, you name it. I'll take a SOII, rubber insert and all, over a Link Auto every day.

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SHARKMAN

Hear! Hear! Now the Cockpits, on the other hand... (I include those in my lament for the bygone Windrider line.)

Breitling had two designs that (with time) could have become classics; the previous SuperOcean and the Steelfish. If they'd let them evolve rather than destroying them they could have begun to challenge the Sub in years to come. Breitling took some big steps backwards in the SO line.

dont forget in house chrnonomat 41...often overlooked

Right Geoff, and I do like that one. But I was referring to 3 hand watches. Or at least trying to.


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SHARKMAN

Some real life Basel pics can be found here

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t= ... 8178&rid=0

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

Overlooked I agree, though I am not sure why. It has a lot of the features I love, but I suppose a lot of what other people don't. This is currently my favoured piece to be my new daily, in this configuration, stolen pic from keepthetime.com.



I'm waiting to pull the trigger on this till all this year's Basel announcements are done. When I know nothing comes up I want more (new BB for example) I will likely go this way. The only part I am not sure about, is how I would like the polished case on the rubber. It might contrast the styling of the brushed case on brushed bracelet of my Chronomat 01 LE.

Thanks for the link Justin.

Just a few comments from the real pics.

My wife looked at the Colt and said OoooOOoooooo I like that, but the arabics are too big. If they had a more classic Colt dial, batons namely, and added a colour matched date wheel, this would be my clear favourite for a new daily.

Looking at the pic of the TO 1461 on calf leaves me underwhelmed and takes a lot of the wind out of my sails for that piece. For some reason, the rendering appealed to me much, much more.