The Breitling Watch Source Forums

While I had Photoshop open I was just curious what the new Chronomat would look like with the minute markings all the way round the bezel instead of just the top half.

I know the reasons for not having markings all the way round were for model differentiation amongst other things, but I still just wondered what it'd look like -




And I also wondered what it'd look like on rubber -




And on croco -




Thoughts?

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Driver -- you are a PhotoShop Grand Master!!!

And, here's my reaction -- I love it!!! Honestly, I find that your version bridges the divide to the original Schneider Chronomat in a much more compelling way. And, since I am a big fan of the Chronomat Airborne (best modern Chronomat ever, IMHO), I really like this version.

Well done, mate!

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Cheers,
Jim

I bow to your photoshop skills!! AMAZING! I have to say, I'm really intrigued by the Driver 8 Chronomat on Croc. You fixed the things I didn't like about the new release, and I'd definitely be chasing this one!!

Well done Driver. I still don’t get why the tick marks weren’t included but I’m also not buying one anytime soon. I agree with Jim that the Airborne is still the best version of the Chronomat lately and I’ve been enjoying mine on the rubber mesh strap and also the dakkar leather strap.

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Justin
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well, one of the wishes will be fulfilled (not the ticks )

Oh I never assumed the ticks were going to be reinstated (especially after you explained the reasons for omitting them, Fred) and I really do like the real version anyway: I was just curious as to how it would look.

(But just for the record, I do actually prefer the fully-ticked bezel myself! But then I'm child of the Schneider-era! )

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Can you post a link to the tick mark discussion? I must have missed it.

Thanks!

I'm not sure it was ever discussed in a single thread, but the minute ticks go from the 9 to the 3 to allow the bezel to be used as either a count-up or count-down timer, depending on which side you have the interchangeable "15" and "45" rider tabs on. That obviously gives it a lot more functionality than a typical Submariner style dive bezel that usually only has minute graduations from the 12 to the 3 (and fixed numbers), so allowing it to be used as a count-up only.

As I understand it, the decision to not include the minute ticks on the lower half of the bezel was a conscious design choice to help visually differentiate it from the Avenger line.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I like your version more.

we had „full tick“ protos, had them side by side. very happy with our decision

Well, I was recently telling my watch guy at the AD if they offered the Chronomat without the bracelet and in a less expensive strap version I may be interested (bought an Oris Pro Pilot from him that day anyway).

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Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

I like the new bezel -- it's a fresh and unique look, in my view, and adds an interesting dimension to the new Chronomat.

One thing that has taken me by surprise is that the new Chronomat is now the only version of the Chronomat available. Before its launch, I had imagined that the new model would be a sort of "heritage" version of the Chronomat that would co-exist with other versions (even if these other versions were tweaked in terms of design elements).

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Cheers,
Jim

Jim, it is the only Chronomat ... for now

frankly, sales for the previous versions had dwindled to a trickle, actually almost killing the model range, keeping those would have been counterproductive.

Citing sales growth in percentages from the previous models would be ridiculous, so won’t, but the New Chronomat line is now among the strongest sellers, seems poised to overtake the Navitimer, so .... not too bad, really

Yup. Don't get me wrong, Fred -- I'm a big fan of the new Chronomat.

Let me use my Chronomat Airborne to illustrate my wish for "other" Chronomats, as well:



To my mind, this version of the Chronomat is handsome, rugged, and one of the best robust chronographs out there, bar none. Great looks, but built like a tank, 500m WR, brushed bezel -- there's a lot to like there. So, it's that particular dimension that would be great to see in the Chronomat line, in my view. Frankly, I think it fills a rather unique niche that you really don't see from other brands very frequently.

Of course, as an outsider, I have no idea what makes sense from a sales numbers/revenue point of view. Just a few thoughts.

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Cheers,
Jim

not the direction you’ll probably see, as much as I like it, this now fits much better in the Avenger range?
model lines need defined character, Jim - so the Chronomat will again cover the more exuberant, luxurious segment of the sports watch market, where it was so impressively successful over decades, the Avenger stands for “sophisticated roughness“. sounds like market blah, actually isn’t, think this clear differentiation is key to success.