The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi all...let me start off by sharing with you a little about myself and my history with watches. It is a hobby I picked up from my father when I was younger. He never had any higher end watches, but was always getting a new Citizen/Seiko/etc. about every year. I would get his watches that he was no longer into.

My first memory of the Breitling brand (and higher-end watches in general) is when I was on a trip with my family to Las Vegas when I was about 16. We stayed at the Mirage casino, which has a watch/jewelry shop by the elevators. At the time, they were displaying a wide array of Breitlings (Colts, Blackbirds, Navitimers, etc). Looking at all those new models every time we would go up to the room, seeing the difference a high end watch with AR coating looks like (Especially with the black dials), I knew I was going to have a Breitling when I could afford it later in life!

Fast forward 12 years later, when I started becoming more successful in my career, and could finally get some of the watches I have been drooling over since I was a teen. I have owned a Colt auto, Crosswind, Superocean, and many other nice watches outside of Breitling (Rolex, Baume, Omega, etc.). But Breitlings were always my favorite. I remember going through the Chronologs of around 2005, 2006 and would seriously drool over every watch in those books.

In 2008 my life started to change, along with my priorities. I got married, purchased my first house, and recently had my first child. No longer being the single guy with extra disposable income, my hobby had to be put on hold for a little while. Well, recently I have been fortunate to have a little extra cash, and decided to start looking at watches again. I started by looking online at the Breitling website.

WHAT THE **** HAPPENED TO THE BRAND I LOVE? So many of these new models look like something I would see sold under the Croton brand at my local Big 5 sporting goods. The colors? And the new bezels?? What is with the Atari font??? Did Invicta acquire Breitling recently? Sure, many of the classics are still there (Navitimers, etc), but the whole Chronomat and Superocean line? And don’t get me started on those new Colts. Speaking of which, I did just order myself a A17380 Colt Auto from a few years ago. Look at that watch and the new Colt now and you tell me. Am I nuts?

I did swing by a local AD and these new models DO look better in person than online (Maybe the lighting?), and I mean no offense to anyone here who owns one, but I was still blown away by the direction Breitling has taken since a few years ago. No Steelfish? No Chronomat Evo? Does anyone else feel this way? Maybe I am just getting old and these are appealing to the younger crowd (I am in my mid-30’s by the way).

Sorry for my first intro post being such a negative rant…Looking forward to being an active member here!

You don't have to look too far to find many similar sentiments here. However, some of the more recent introductions in the last couple of years are more generally liked.

Welcome to BreitlingSource, nice introduction.

Welcome to the Source.

As Roff stated, the new stuff certainly hasn't been appealing but the "recent" stuff has been a turn around. Hopefully it continues.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

You could also look for new in box older pieces for your collection. I, for one, have both new and old as I buy what I like and leave what I do not. Find what you like and spend your money there. Things change weather we want them to or not and some times it is what we like and other times not so much. I find it awaste of time tying to figure what the trends are going to be next. Hell, I like the 82 corvette style better than the late 90's but love the new.
Things change, not worth getting upset about.
Be safe, Frank.

Enjoy your time here!

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Prior to the release of the B01, which was the initial Breitling model built around their proprietary movement, Breitling announced that they'd hired the ex-Swatch head of design. Not sure if he still occupies that post but considering the crazy bezel/case configurations we've seen recently that could be part of it.

Thanks for the info, that may explain alot!

Anyways, here's my new arrival. Iv'e always thought the Colt models were too quickly dismissed because they were the "entry" Breitling, but I love a simple, clean, awesome looking watch. Next step is to have a link added, as it is currently cutting off my circulation

Welcome! You've voiced some pretty common concerns from around here. Browse the WWAYWT thread and you'll see lots and lots of classic Breitlings and not so many of the watches you've talked about in your intro. Having said that, take a look at the new TransOcean line. Really beautiful.

I am new to breitling, just bought my SA 3mths ago but i like it lots.
Though i cant say for certain breitling models

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