The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I had the chance today to check out three of the latest models from Breitling at an AD, and I was actually quite surprised.

The standout for me was (fairly obviously) the Navitimer 46 as it's just as fantastic in the metal as it is in pictures. The inner bezel isn't too thick (which looks like a problem on the Navi GMT), the spacing of the sub-dials doesn't look "off" in terms of being dwarfed by the case size, the matt dial with the applied markers and Breitling wings logo just add to the overall classy look.... all in all it's fantastic. However one thing I did notice was that the case isn't the same as the Navi World : visually at least it appears to be slightly thinner than the World, but the most noticeable difference is the lugs. The lugs on the Navi 46 are considerably thinner/finer than on the World - it's certainly not a showstopper, but I actually think I fractionally prefer the slightly more chunky lugs on the World. That said, it's still by far and away the best Navitimer I've ever handled, so I'm definitely going to pick one up. Retail price was just under £6k on calf with a tang and buckle, just shy of £6.5k on croco with deployant, and dead on £7k on the bracelet. Not too bad considering what a great watch it is.

The second watch I tried was the Chronomat Airborne.......and I have to say, I was very underwhelmed by it. The bezel with the simple tick-markers inlayed with rubber just doesn't work as well as I thought it would in the flesh. The vintage lume is very nice, but the prominent date window really lets the dial down IMO. The Frecce Tricolori is still the best Chronomat 01 I've yet seen, and sadly the Airborne isn't about to challenge for the title to my mind.

The last one I tried was the (curiously named) Avenger Blackbird, and I actually really liked it! It IS huge, but not too thick so it is actually very wearable. The vintage lume looks fantastic against the black of the dial and case, and the bezel markings work very well indeed. If I could bring myself to buy a DLC piece, then this is definitely the one I'd buy. One thing that stuck me though was the prices. Not far off £4k strikes me as quite a lot for a non-in-house 3 hander......

So all in all I was a little surprised by some aspect of all three new watches, which just goes to show there is no substitute for trying a watch on. The Navi 46 is absolutely stunning and trying one on today confirmed to me that Breitling really have smashed one out of the ground with this piece.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks for the report. I'm looking forward to seeing the new navitimer in person.

Great op-ed piece. Definitely cannot wait to handle the new Navi and World.

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Chronospace - Jet Team Edition
Jaeger-Lecoultre - MCC Navy Seals GMT

I'm disappointed that the airborne was so underwhelming. I had high hopes for that one.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

I still have high hopes for the Airborne -- looking forward to seeing one, but I'm not sure they have hit the States yet.

I guess I'm not as bothered by the date window. I mean, a Chronomat has to have a square somewhere on the dial, right?

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Cheers,
Jim

The same for me. I think the Airborne looks great on pictures.

I went to the boutique in NYC they have navi gmt and navi 46 but not airborne. Anyways I thought both navi gmt and 46 looked nice

Fantastic to hear about the new Navi 46. I was leaning towards the Navi GMT but the more I look at it, I think the dial at that size is a bit cluttered. But I cannot wait to see both of them in the flesh!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

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White Dial Super Avenger with Batons
Grey Dial Breitling Bentley 6.75

Past:
Black Dial Super Avenger with Numerals
Countless "high priced" cheapos

Driver, did you see the new push button clasp on the Airborne?

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Thank you Driver. Glad to hear the Navi is as good as it looks in the pictures. Its heartening to know. Post some pics of it on your wrist when you finally buy.

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Jim

"You have Control".

from the pics I have seen of the new navi 46 they look cool. have not seen it in person. way too large for me but a great option for people with larger wrists

Wow! Had to do a Google picture search on the Avenger Blackbird, odd name indeed as this is in no way linked to the Blackbird.
Looks great, not too thick indeed and 24mm lugs so SA size? Would have loved to see it with numeral markers though.


~Martijn

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WTB/Looking for: Breitling Maritime Chrono 80900

You've been waiting for a 46mm in house navitimer, go get it!!!! Which color will you be getting? Disappointed to hear that the Airborne was underwhelming, photos can be deceiving.

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

Black dial all the way. I want a "classic" style Navi in a more contemporary size, and this will fit the bill nicely.

I'll be interested to hear about other peoples impressions of the Airborne in the flesh.

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Driver8

Site Moderator