The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi Guys,

Finally pulled the trigger and bought the Breguet XXI, I have been eyeing it for a few months now and thought the box would look good in the stocking and the watch on my wrist (i am not waiting till then to put it on). After purchasing the watch I started to ponder what Breitling chrono would I have bought either modern or Vintage... or what is the best sports chrono out there (with a mechanical movement)

Look forward to your comments.

-Mike

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Breguet Type XXI
Rolex GMT IIC
Breiting Superocean Heritage 46mm LE
Breitling B1
EZ430-Chronos

Vintage:
Omega Flightmaster
Heuer Calculator
Certina Alarm
Tissot Digital Jump Hour

Hi Mike,

Congratulations on the Breguet XXI. Nice watch. Not sure this is the best place to discuss this make, but as it’s a fair comparison to Breitling (which is what I think you mean in your comments above), then I would offer the following observations.
Would you have a Modern or Vintage Breitling? Well, I guess it depends on if you are looking for a particular movement (eg:- Cal 12) or a design that broke new ground (eg:- Chronomatic). Or, if you prefer the very handsome range of newer Breitlings that are on offer. Old and new are so different and they emote so many different perceptions, that I really can’t say one way or the other which I prefer or would recommend. I am for anything new, as it usually means ground breaking (or it should). But a place in history is important too.

Not being a watch expert myself, I guess the Best Sports Chronograph out there is the one that suits your needs and your pocket. I really do not know the competing minutia between makes in this regard, nor do I think it’s that important. Keep in mind that unless you buy from a maker that actually makes their own movement; you are probably buying a watch with one of 4 or 5 movements that are very common to many brands. So comparisons are a mute point in some ways. My Heuer Pilot runs a modified ETA 2824 with a Lemania Chrono Pack, but when all is said and done it’s nothing special as a far as a Chronograph goes. It keeps great time and is a tribute to Jack Heuers dogged persistence to make that watch a reality, or so I am told. So history is as important to me as function and design in the test of a good Chronograph and that watch I would never trade unless I had to, period.

As many of the movements that were once available to makers are now restricted, you will see many brands making their own movements again. In some cases the first ever or the first for a long time. That’s good in a way as it opens up the ability of makers to be demonstrate their skills. COSC or not, I really don’t care that much. As long as it’s reasonably accurate and has some inspiration in the design of the movement and the case layout is all I look for.

Function is also important. Does your Chrono have some features special to the brand or is it much the same in operation to many others out there. Is it a matter of style or is it just that a handsome look wins you over! Well, in my case it’s all three. I look for tools (Slide Rule), I look for aviation attributes and I look for smooth fly backs and sub dial markings. They have to be accurate, precise and well made/designed in my opinion. A great look is also important, so I that case I am not persuaded by price (ie:- The more expansive, the better).

So, overall, the rambling above means I come from this at a completely different angle and I am probably much like most on this forum in that regard. It’s what you want the Chrono to be that’s most important.

I do wish I had your Christmas stocking though…………

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Jim

"You have Control".

i am not qualified to say what is the best Breitling Chrono ever; however the one that I like the most is the Chronomat Evo. Something about it just screams modern day classic

A bit of guesswork here (and warmest congrats on the XXI, I still think about the one I owned). Based on your choice of a counter bezel watch, I'd remove the Navitimer, which in one form or another is probably the greatest (older vintage excluded) Breitling chrono. If you like the XXI I would guess you like guilloche or some detail on the dial. That sends me in the direction of the Crosswind, similar to an Evo but with more dial detail. You can check it out in the Windrider series of the BS index above.

If we're talking older vintage, just check out Watch Fred's photos. The collection is extensive and mind-blowing. An early '40s Chonomat or similar vintage Datora is probably up there, though I defer to the many other vintage aficionados here.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

I'm going with the watch that won the contest here - Navi 01.

The problem really is the question, I think. It is incredibly broad and there are probably 500 "correct" answers.

Congrats on the Type XXI. I enjoyed mine a lot while I had it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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SHARKMAN

Congrats on the Breguet. I enjoyed mine also, the depths of the dial was very impressive.

I gotta agree with Tom on the Navi 01.

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

+1 to all of that.

I don't have the historical Breitling knowledge that others here do, but I do know that if I were to buy one now it would be the Navi 01.

As for the more general question, for me it's hard to go past the Speedy Pro.

Frankly could not say what the best Breitling chronograph is, too many I love.

Is my 1956 Navitimer 806 "better" than my 2011 Navi 01 LE - or vice versa; are each
of them better or worse than that beautiful Japan LE Mecanique with Lemania 1873
and transparent caseback, better than the Lemania Cossie SE ?

Is my early 1940s Chronomat 769 - patient zero of the Breitling sliderule chronographs
that still defines today's Montbrillant designs - "better" than my Legende -
well, in this case, probably yes.

The "big case" Chrono-matics of 1969 were groundbreaking in technology and design,
maybe the SuperOcean ref. 2105 stands out among these, but then there's the beautiful
tonneau Chrono-Matics of that same period, the late 1950s SuperOcean Divers, the early
1940s ref. 765s that evolved into the breathtaking 765 & 7560 Co-Pilot AVI and Yachtings
of the 50s and 60s, the Top Time ref. 810 that now live on as the TransOcean Chronographs,
or is it the mid 1940s Datora ?

I have only one daughter, so no contest there for the greatest love of all; but with several
children it would probably be similar to what I feel about my watches - all are special, unique,
wonderful in their own way.

Let me share two recent arrivals with you, one a very early Breitling Premier ref. 787 from 1945,
the other a ref. 7650 Co-Pilot Yachting; you'll find pics of all the other watches I mentioned here
in my WRUW posts or the gallery, maybe you can decide which one is "best" ?

Is it just me, or is everyone mentioning the Breguet XXI in the past tense?

Regards

Jim

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Jim

"You have Control".

Yea. Scott, Shark, and I all owned the XXI and have all sold them.....but that doesn't mean it isn't an awesome watch because it is for sure.

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

There are several Breitling Chronos in my collection including the one that was voted here as best, the Navi 01.
Nevertheless it's difficult for me to answer the question which is best.
Functionally all perform very well. The rest is down to some sentimental elements and cosmetics and most of it is basically down to personal preferences.
If I had to chose one over other it would be similar to asking which hand I should cut off - left or right.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Tough question because I wear my watches on the left but write and throw with my right hand.

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

Cigar in my right hand, whiskey in my left hand. How can I decide???

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"It is just a matter of time!"