The Breitling Watch Source Forums

That no-date is slam-dunk perfect!

agree no date is the most beautiful, but general feedback from subsidiaries clearly indicates the general market still requires the date.
but also think the adapted orientation at 4:30 is an improvement, will try to convince the design team for future models.
actually, do not like the "date at 6" for the Aviator, but stay tuned for some other models next year.

Well, let me provide a different take on the date orientation issue. In terms of a 4:30 date window position, I think the current orientation is not only just fine -- I think it is preferable. That's because, in real life, when I glance at my wrist, the date is perfectly oriented for reading quickly. In other words, it is one thing to stare at a photo, where the watch is presented in a perfectly perpendicular position (and therefore presents the date in a skewed position), and quite another in terms of glancing at the wrist at one's desk, for example (where the date is actually oriented so as to be easily readable). It's the same premise that's behind the styling of the Vacheron Historiques American 1921.

For a 4:30 date window, I find the perfectly perpendicular date orientation to be somewhat jarring actually...

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Cheers,
Jim

I'm highly tempted to shamelessly abuse my moderator access levels and delete your last post there Jim!

Oh and while I'm about it, where's that ban button again?

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Here you go -

http://en.worldtempus.com/article/watch ... 27507.html

It was a Waves and Wheels LE. Nice looking piece.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

A completely reasonable approach, I think...

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Cheers,
Jim

Great analysis. What I like about many Breitlings is that they are designed as instruments for actual use, before taking aesthetics into consideration. You will not understand many design elements until you use one for its intent. To me the beauty of a Breitling should be appreciated from this aspect, and not the usual way of judging the aesthetics from a jewellery perspective.

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Breitling Chronomat 01 Limited Edition
Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm

I appreciate your view Jim, but you see, personally when I look at a watch on my wrist I move my hand and look at it head-on....so an up-right font makes perfect sense to me, AND it's both more polished and aesthetically pleasing to my eye. The slanted date window always LOOKS like it was a parts-bin-special to me, like it's being done "on the cheap" by using a wheel designed for use with a 3 o'clock window.

GO always do it just right IMO with their date windows, and loads of their models use the 4:30 date (a Big date in fact) and they're always orientated properly. It just looks more polished and professional to me.

Anyway, I'd love to see Breitling give it a go again like they did in the 70's, even if it's just on a couple of watches.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

In the interest of not being banned, I am constrained to acknowledge that reasonable minds may differ on this point...

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Cheers,
Jim

And in the interest of not having to ban someone who’s opinions I respect on here, I’m also constrained by the same acknowledgement!

(Good to have a bit of discussion on here for a change! I can’t recall the last time a thread went to 4 pages!)

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Driver8

Site Moderator

guys, it‘s a pleasure to read your comments.
spoke to Georges re the date orientation, he agrees to give it a try and see how that looks on a proto, may take some time, lots of models in the development pipeline, will keep you updated.

some more irl shots from LA.

new Navitimer Rattrapante in solid gold



and some Avenger







and one more of the Mosquito

You beat me to uploading the pictures Fred. I saw your original post on my phone and just logged in now to post them up for you.

I really like those Avenger strap options, especially the sand coloured one.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I'm going to agree with Jim on this one. I can live perfectly fine with the 4:30 date window where it's at. Maybe I'm used to it now owning 2 Breathings with the B01 movement with that date placement. I also don't look straight onto my watch as often so the oriented date looks great in photos, I'm not sure in real life how it would be on a daily basis. I think you either leave it at 4:30 or drop the date altogether.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

I couldn't resist, Driver -- saw this new Seiko release and thought of you...

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Cheers,
Jim

Cheers Jim!

(But it looks so much better than a slanted date to me)

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Driver8

Site Moderator