The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm sort of on the hunt for a new watch. I'm turning into a high accuracy quartz geek (owning an Aerospace will do that to ya), so I've been looking at the current choices.

B50/55 - too big and too expensive

Aerospace - got two

Omega Skywalker - many functions, lighter than some, have to double click the crown to get day of the week.

Airwolf - not a fan of the bezel

B1 - Now here's something.....

Given that it's the end of 2016, B1s are all going to be ten or more years old. Is any one here currently using a B1 as a daily wear watch, or are they all in that semi-vintage so it's a sometime only, careful wear watch?

The question I'm really asking is, assuming I can find a good clean late model B1, is there any reason not to get one and use it as a long term every day watch? It seems to have all the functions I want (day/date, chrono, timer, backlight) without a bunch of extras I don't need like MET, PET, Bet, sit, stand, etc. I figure I can educate myself to use the slide rule for currency conversions or a toy during long meetings.

Thanks a lot in advance for your help.

Henry

Nothing stopping one being a daily driver, but it needs servicing like all high end watches. When they fail, it's generally repair by replacement of modules or the whole movement, which can be an expensive proposition depending where you live.

I wear a B-1 in rotation with an Airwolf and Chrono Superocean. It's comfortable and perfectly wearable as an everyday watch. Go for a later A78362 reference model which has the Superquartz movement and you should be fine wth battery life of 3-4 years. The fighter bracelet is well made and comfortable but it also looks good on leather & rubber straps.

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Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE

I have an A78362 that I wear almost every day. Get one, you won't regret it!



What's your opinion on the B-1 vs the Airwolf? I'm considering an Airwolf, and would like your input since you have both.

From my perspective they are both great watches. I find the B-1 is the easiest to wear being smaller and lighter and many regard the B-1 as having the stronger Breitling identity. The functions, water resistance and battery life are identical so nothing to choose between the two there. The Airwolf's larger size gives it great wrist presence and more bling but still a comfortable wearer on the Pro II bracelet. The B-1 sits on the equally comfortable Fighter bracelet and has a bi-directional countdown bezel whilst the Airwolf a bi-directional compass bezel which divides opinion but theoretically gives an additional function if you're into doing in-flight calculations. I like both and wouldn't like to choose between the two but if pushed, I would go for the B-1 as a keeper. The B-1 feels like the more iconic piece and the later models have the super-quartz movement. My Airwolf has the later 'tuxedo' dial which I prefer over the older 'sunburst dial'. Whichever you go for I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Here's a pic for comparison:

_________________
Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE