The Breitling Watch Source Forums

All just beautiful Fred. One major character flaw, impatience, and one undiagnosed condition, SOCD - "slight obsessive compulsive disorder" - stand in the way of vintage watches and me. I don't see those abating anytime soon.

I can look at your amazing examples and rightly exclaim - beautiful! But I know if I had the same watch on my wrist my eye would be drawn immediately to the imperfections which, to a considerable degree, are what makes them special.

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SHARKMAN

I'm afraid I have that patience problem, too. But that's in part the point of this, I think. Put out a new AVI or a Chronomat Heritage, if you will, something like these, and I can't help but think there would be a good market for them. As it is I have thought more than once about picking up an SOH. Need to see that rose gold bezel piece in the metal sometime.

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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

Look at the non-diver JLCs, Breitling could compete with those. But Roff's point that Breitling for the last 30+ years is not at all the same company rings true in many respects. They became successful in the 90s without any real reference to the original company. Sure there is the classic Navi and they carried the Premier model for a while. But mostly, the models were new and it worked. Now we are in an era of bigger is better and let's face it - Breitling is a leader in that market. Sports stars and wannabes. Rap stars and wannabes. Hip hop stars and wannabes. That's a lot of wannabes. Plus those who just like big watches; nothing wrong with that. I'd have an SA or Motors if my wrist was bigger. I'm sure of it.

Every now and then Breitling throws in a nod to the past - Transocean, your Chronomatic, for instance. That will likely continue. But it isn't their market today. In fact I, for one, wouldn't welcome a return to the original Breitling. I like very much what they have done since the early 90s. The problem since 2010 is they didn't stick to their market, not the old Breitling's market, the new one. Incremental change is the key. Nothing incremental about putting out a colorful watch with weird arabics and a rubber bezel.

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SHARKMAN

Very nice collection of beautiful, historic Breitlings. I always enjoy your pictures!

Rich History, rich Heritage. What does that mean! Reading the posts here it would seem finding the right words for what Breitling means is difficult. We have opinions and ideas on what Breitling is and should be, but what we are looking for I feel, is the essence of the Breitling 'design language'. Its the DNA of Beitling, and its hard to express.

What makes a Breitling truly unique in a very crowded watch market and why do customers buy Breitlings instead of going elsewhere? Are they unique? Are they individual enough? What compels a person to choose a Breitling over anything else? Price, style, features, size, aesthetics? How many customers actually know the story of Breitling before they buy one, and how many actually care? Is the so called rich history a good enough reason to buy? Or, will you move on? Is there enough bling for some, or is there a distinct lack of it for others? You choose! Does it work in my region of the world and what is the message this maker represents?

In any one of those categories you could say, Yes or No, that was a consideration when deciding on a Breitling, (or not). But is your individual choice centred on who Breitling are, and why do they make watches that I should consider! No, I don't think so. That comes later when the salesperson has your attention.

To define what makes Breitling 'Breitling' you must separate its essence first from every other consideration. Eventually they are joined and considered rigorously against other competing concerns, but initially you must take it away from everything else and consider the question, What makes Breitling Breitling? Answer that and the rest really is obvious.

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Jim

"You have Control".

Some great points P51. I wonder if your avatar picture sums up where Breitling's identity is and should be: aviation and adventure.

What I liked about their recent video release was the clarity of identity. Sure it was a little off in the facts department but it gave a clear picture of who they want to be. You buy a Rolex to show you've made it: you buy a Breitling to day you're an aviator/ adventurer (or that's how you want to see yourself).


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Jim and Novacastrian,

Well said. And it begs the question as to why people spend thousands of dollars on a watch. Was the decision to select the watch on the brands history, iconic model, complication, association to a famous event or person, price or oldest reason - its purpose. Or is it a theme of a collection? Perhaps the whole idea is that what you slap on your wrist should give pleasure and give you joy consistently over a period of time. 

The bottom line, don't force yourself or brand into a category. Let the interest grow and in the mean time, collect what you love and enjoy what you wear. Perhaps Tudor has shown that pulling from its history on the best of each model family can bring back classic designs in a modern interpretation. Breitling of today is not the maker vintage models we love, yet the brand still has a connection to it's broken past (better than many other brands).

Fred, I think you could open your own Breitling museum with those watches, and the many more that I know you have! Absolutely incredible pieces.

I've often wondered why the new Breitling doesn't try and more closely align with the designs of the old Breitling. Obviously, the company's goal is to grow revenue and it clearly thinks that it's current designs are the best way to do that. I think most of us would agree that it could be done better. . . with less rubber and DLC.

Given the thread on possibly moving away from "Buck Rogers" bezels, perhaps there is still some hope yet.

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

took some pics for my IG feed and said I'd keep the "rich and proud" thread alive; Tom, any "imperfections" ?
(besides the fact that I noticed I grabbed my frayed cuffs blue Oxford again this morning, have to throw that out.)


1969 Co-Pilot AVI ref. 7650

Fred, if you're going to dispose of that shirt, post it to my address along with the ref 7650 and I'll give them both a nice loving home. Obviously they don't go together very well on your wrist but they should look fine on my old creased leather watch holder...
Best,
Ron

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"The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea"...

Click to view: 500px Photo Gallery "Flow" or... 500px Photo Gallery or... Breitling Pics Slideshow

tsk tsk tsk tsk ..

'any' imperfections ?

how 'bout that non aligned bezel ? , bloody eye sore that is !!!

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"I spent most of my money on Booze, Breitling and Boats. The rest I wasted" - mostly Elmore Leonard

updating, another piece of rich& proud heritage; highly innovative Diving Chronograph w/ activity indicator, SuperOcean ref. 2005, 1965