The Breitling Watch Source Forums

So what do we think so far?

There's one or two that I personally like: Aerospace Evo, Colt Chronograph Auto

One that I don't like: Navitimer blue subs, black dial.

Some which indicate good progress: Galactic Unitime

Then I look at some of the other brands and like the fact that they keep the updates faithful to their tried and trusted designs, such as Longines Conquest classic moonphase, and Rolex GMT Master II coke bezel.

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

here is a link to all Breitling's Basel2015 releases (and some other brands), including list prices where known.

http://www.acejewelers.com/en/watches/baselworld-2015/


there's a (rather nice) new Chronomat 38 SleekT w/ Tungsten bezel btw. we haven't heard about yet; 38mm; Breitling of course positions it as woman's chronograph, so it will be sure to fail ....

: Thanks for that Fred, should make the overall impression a bit easier to view

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

I think that this has been a more positive Basel than many of the recent ones, some evidence that they are listening to consumers. However, still plenty of evidence that there are stubborn believers in niche design philosophies that dilute the essence of what Breitling is. The insistence on calling anything at 38mm or smaller a women's watch, the refusal to accept that DLC has jumped the shark, and the appearance of things like that Navitimer blue detract from some otherwise great pieces.

If someone looks at the Breitling range for the first time today I'm not sure if they would understand what the brand's design statement is - it's just all over the place which is disappointing. I may not personally have liked the Galactic font madness that overtook everything a few years back, but at least I understood the direction, now - I have no clue.

Transocean Unitime Pilot......me likey.

here's another one; 46LE in the 7806 configuration; would be a beauty in 43 ....

I like one or two and the rest are misses for me but I've come to expect that by now from Breitling. Once again, Tag has had a better Basel that Breitling.. Btw what the he!! is omega doing now with the dark side of the moon? They took an incredible watch and made it into so many different dials/designs/cases. That's a fail Omega!

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

This is my favorite. The model isn't new, but the rose gold bezel is, and 46MM is a great size to add to my collection.

I'm thinking black or brown croc strap as opposed to mesh.

I think this is the best Basel for Breitling since nineteen forgotten.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Basel has resulted in mixed feelings for me, however definitely leaning towards the positive which is nice. I like a lot of the new models - the Chronomat 38, blue cozzie, Evo with yellow dial, chronoliner, galactic unitime (although need to see in the flesh), and SOII - but others are just weird and ugly for me - navi blue and bentley, for example, look awful. Still as Roff said, while I don't necessarily understand the design direction, it's a better Basel than previous years. No doubt the Company is trying to satisfy a large audience, which can't be easy.

I definitely don't understand the size thing, especially a 38mm watch being classified as a 'women's watch'. Hopefully that will change in coming years.

I also wish they'd manufacture that military mesh/fabric strap in a 20mm lug width. I'd seriously love to buy one but they only make them in 22mm and above (I think 24mm maybe?).

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Overall, I think it was pretty good, like some new models, don't like a couple. To summarize:

- Last season Colts and Pre-Basel Colt Chrono Auto. was Good
- SO II's were Good
- Galactiic Unitime OK (have to see it)
- Galactic 36 Good/Interesting
- Chronomat 38 Confused - Chronomat with no rotating bezel ? (dial looks good though)
- Navitimer Black and Blue Bad
- B55 too early with B50 problems
- Pre-Basel Chronoliner OK (not sure where they're going with this new catagory)
- DLC EVO's not so good (yellow dial good)

With that said, Breitling is up to about a dozen line-ups (series) now. Some have too many models (Transocean) and some have a single model (Chronoliner and Montbrilliant). I'm guessing additional models will come in the the last two mentioned. I would like to see them consolidate a couple (sell off Bentley to Hublot or someone, ) of these to maximum of 8-10 and keep the number of models in each line-up to a reasonable number, drop the losers, keep the winners (from sales figures). They are getting a little carried away and have a shotgun approach to revising models across the lines. This way they could pick 2-3 lines each year to upgrade/change and concentrate on those (I admit there may be some drawbacks to this approach). I think the spattering of new models here and there give a lot of us a feeling of confusion and no direction to the Brand (?)

Anyway, I noticed the Chronolog is getting thicker again, .

(fine print: the views you have read are the sole opinion of a non-paid forum member and in no way reflect the opinions of the publishing station, or something to that effect)

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

The Chronomat 38 is *sharp*. I'd enjoy wearing that for sure. Doesn't look feminine to me.

I think this Basel has been better than previous years. I still like some of the pre-Basel announcements such as the Transocean 1915 and the Chronoliner, and the Galactic Unitime was a very pleasant surprise. The addition of both a ceramic bezel and the tungsten bezel are steps in the right direction. I also like the new Superoceans but would have loved to see the ceramic bezel on those as well and some of the dial clutter removed. The 2 new Aerospace Evos are also winners for me, even if one of them is DLC.

Some other winners for me are the blue Cosmonaute and the gold Navitimer. While I'll probably never buy them, I do like how they look. The smaller version of the Chronomat is nice looking as well and I'm glad to see the new chrono colts as well.

The low points of Basel for me were the black and blue Navitimer and the Bentley models. I didn't think it was possible to screw up a Navitimer but they did and the Bentleys are just too big and not very attractive.

If it came down to deciding on what model to actually buy, it would probably end up being the Galactic Unitime. The Chronoliner would be a close second on the Navitimer bracelet. There isn't one specific model that I've already ordered or will probably buy in the near future, but I can say that I'm impressed with some of the new releases.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
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So far, so good. No jaw droppers but some eye wincing offers. Thats show business for you. Opening ceremony with comments on the industry losing its way. Interesting.

Seems that this year will be noted for 'Connectivity'. Surely, no bad thing and as a direction to the future was probably obvious. With a few exciting prospects and potentiality it could be an interesting time. Good on Apple for at least pushing the boat out in a big way. Montblanc e-Strap and TH Google tie up are interesting developments.

Breitling attention for me so far is, the Chronoliner (pre Basel) and I don't mind the navitimer 01 blue edition. Not that I would buy one, but might be good close up.

Others were Omega Speedmaster Professional Silver Snoopy and Carrera Heuer Calibre 18. Everything old is new again, including the name.

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Jim

"You have Control".

Among Breitlings so far: There are a lot of designs I actually like. Unfortunately, most of them are the wrong size for my liking. That rose gold two-register Navi is gorgeous. It's also 46mm. I like the 38mm Chronomat. 38 is just a little small. Galactic unitime three-hander--44mm with a three-hander? That one might work depending on case thickness but still, seems about 2mm too large. Superocean II is pretty good and offers enough sizes for everyone, nice work especially alongside the revamped Colt of last year. DLC--enough already, although "Breitling yellow" for an Aerospace makes perfect sense. Bentley--can we euthanize this line now?
Transocean unitime--not bad, also probably a size issue again, I forgot the number but I'm presuming 46 again. If I had to say one I would buy (used)-- it would be between the Galactic unitime if in the metal it looks right or a 42mm Superocean 2. It would take a special watch for me to give up my Chrono-matic SE and that rose gold Navi would be it--if it wasn't so large.

Among the rest: Just an amazing feat for Tudor to charge a measly $400 or so premium for a new in-house movement for the Pelagos. Do that to the Black Bay and oh my. If you think Breitling is spreading itself in too many models, what Omega is doing to the Speedmaster is borderline ridiculous. The rose gold Yachtmaster with black ceramic bezel looks fabulous. IWC Yacht Club worldtimer is even larger than the Unitime. Nuts. Longines is stepping up. I want to "get" the Omega Globemaster but I don't, particularly the bezel. That Bremont Boeing line is nice but IMO way overpriced. Check out the Zeitwinkel Saphir Fume, I'm undecided but fascinated by it. The Glycine Airman Double Twelve is, frankly, all I need in a GMT. A 39mm Oyster Perpetual makes so much sense, though the dial features (blue lume dots?) puzzle me. GO is refining the Pano in a subtle but meaningful way. Finally, I don't know if a Ressence is worth it, but I so want to try one on.

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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