The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So I see a lot of reviews on the SA but not that many on the newer Chronomats. Would most people pick the SA over the Chronomat 44? What are your thoughts?

The SA is extremely popular and part of the reason is the price point, so you're always going to see more reviews for it than some other breitlings. Should also mention the SA has been around a lot longer and hasn't really changed much apart from the dial a little. For a 7.5" wrist and under I'm definitely choosing the chronomat. Even for my 8" wrist I think the 44 would wear a little small for my taste, but I'm pretty sure if given the choice I'd be grabbing the 44.

Chronomat 44 or even consider the discontinued Evo.... The SA is a bit of a clown watch for me, ridiculously big.

As has been mentioned, the SA has been around a lot longer, so there will be more reviews. That said, as far as I'm aware, the Chronomat 44 (a.k.a., the B01 and Chronomat 01) does get a lot of discussion around here.

As for my own point of view, the SA is off the chart for me, being way too large for me to ever consider as an option. So other than noting it for its popularity, and the propensity some have for wanting to bling it out, I really pay it no mind. Between the two, I would obviously choose the Chronomat 44 by default; I also consider the Chronomat 44 to be the superior watch overall. However, I also see the model as symbolic of Breitling's problems of late: attempting to be taken seriously by the watch cognoscenti (à la an in-house movement) while adopting styling cues that simultaneously eschew a well-established brand identity and alienate a fair portion of the buying public due to their tastelessness. The only Chronomat 44 model I would even remotely consider for purchase is the Flying Fish on Pilot, but given its price and competing options, I don't really foresee myself ever getting one.

Chronomat 44 won't show up in searches because that's the new name for it - the threads under its original name are likely not something that you will want to read if you like the watch........

Side notes from my visit for the Blancpain FF...

Also tried on the Super Avenger on my 7 inch wrists just for kicks. No F$&%Kin way I can pull that off. Those lugs were hanging over my wrist.

Now the regular Avenger was a whole different story. Black dial with stick markers... I may have to squeeze in one more piece before the end of the year. Even the Chronomat 44's sat beautifully.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

I bought the flying fish version of the chronomat. So far so good. What problems does this new in house movement have? Also for the money 6k what other watches are better? The SA is HUGE on me so I couldn’t not buy that. Looks wise I love the flying fish.

Congrats on a great watch.
There is nothing wrong with the movement.
Just relax and enjoy the watch.
In the very unlikely scenario that something should go wrong with it, you have Breitling's 5 year warranty assuming you bought it from an AD.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

The 01 movement had some bugs in the first few years. However, Breitling now offers a five-year warranty on all in-house models, indicating they feel confident they've got the bugs worked out. As for other options, too many to go into here. Not to say that those options are necessarily better - just ones I might personally find more appealing for the money. There's no need to second-guess yourself, though. The FF is a fine watch. Congrats on the pickup.

Well...........

Now that's not really true is it

Problems have been reported with the chronograph function jumping and stuttering and apparently there have also been date issues, although haven't heard so much about those.

The cynic in me says that the 5 year warranty is to avoid losing sales from people who have read of the problems.

I checked out almost all the watches in my price range with Ulysse Nardine Maxi Marine being the one I was debating against. Either way I am pretty happy with this. The chronograph does not jump at all for me and I make sure to use it once a day for about 1 hour. This actually makes ask, does running this all day as a second hand hurt the watch? Anyone ever swam with theirs? I am still scared hah!!

BTW the time is really accurate for me so far.

Running the chronograph all day won't hurt the watch. It will reduce the power reserve somewhat, but not materially if it's a daily wearer.

The watch is rated water resistant to 50 atmospheres, I think that a swimm will be fine!

I happen to be an Orthodox Cynic, & figure the 5 year protection is due to
many complaints from outraged owners. Perhaps Breitling rushed these in-
housers to markets before eliminating unexpected/overlooked glitches. It's
the usual dilemma: mech/selfwinders are more susceptible to infinite variables
as opposed to other technologies. The 5 year warranty is a classy, brave, &
savvy offering for Breitling to put forth.

It took them (by their own statements) eight years of R&D to "rush" them to market.

Not only that, but the five year warranty is only effective on sales as of January 1, 2012, meaning the earliest of 01 models - i.e., the ones most likely to be "buggy" from early production issues - aren't covered with the longer warranty. Therefore, it seems unlikely the move to a five-year period is to placate early adopters. If anything, it would piss them off even more, since they're excluded from the extended coverage. I think Roff is probably on the money: it's to reassure those who have heard about the bugs who might be dissuaded from a purchase now. Either way, I think it's a good move - why ask why, as long it's what you want.

OP: just make sure the crown and pushers are screwed down if you want to go swimming. Although, if it were me, I wouldn't swim with it anyway, because, well...why?