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Breitling: a proud, rich history
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Author:  WatchFred [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Breitling: a proud, rich history
that recent discussion about the Buck Rogers bezel and the Chronomat b01 as the epitome of Breitling's "proud, rich history" made me chuckle, so below are some pieces to show why I consider this a proud, historic brand - just a small excerpt, actually, covering the decade from the mid 1940 to mid 1950s, cold be nicely continued until the mid 1970s ;)


Chronomat ref. 786 from 1945, one of the very few surviving pieces
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1946 Chronomat ref. 769
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another piece from 1946, an early waterproof 18k chronograph, ref. 777
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and two 1946 ref. 765, a "civilian" version and a "Breitling Huit" military
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1953/55 ref. 765 AVI
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Navitimer 896, 1955
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1956 Unitime 1-260
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1957 Chronomat ref. 769
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Author:  Roffensian [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 9:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Spectacular pieces Fred, and just highlight what modern Breitling is missing out on - not in the last 5 years, since inception. The fact that they called the first model that they produced a Chronomat despite it having nothing in common with what the Chronomat was at that time is evidence of a lack of awareness (or care) for their history (I like both, but they aren't the same watch despite the same name).

In recent years there is some evidence of trying to embrace history - sometimes hits (Transocean), sometimes misses (Unitime) - my opinion only of course. Today's Breitling can't invent a connection with a history that doesn't exist, but they can at least acknowledge what Breitling was for almost 100 years and reinvent the timeless classics in a way that can be contemporary while remaining timeless and classic.

We can but hope.
Author:  Moana43 [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Roffensian wrote:
Today's Breitling can't invent a connection with a history that doesn't exist, but they can at least acknowledge what Breitling was for almost 100 years and reinvent the timeless classics in a way that can be contemporary while remaining timeless and classic.


Couldn't agree more -- well said.

And, Fred -- thanks for posting these photos. Just fantastic. The classic design of these pieces still resonates deeply. I, too, am hopeful that Breitling can harness the vibe of this heritage as time moves on.
Author:  Straffordwhites [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 11:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
What a beautiful collection of watches, you must be v proud of the collection and the Piece of History you own.
Author:  Frans [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Stunning pieces Fred.
I always enjoy and appreciatie your pictures.
Author:  BoneDoc [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 12:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Fred those are stunning pics of stunning pieces!
You are giving me a new-found appreciation for the vintage pieces.
I particularly like the early chronomats. That first one you posted is gorgeous!!! :lingsrock:
Author:  natesen [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Amazing pictures as always!!

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Author:  Veki [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Beautiful
Author:  P51 [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 4:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
That's a vintage collection worthy of any Museum. Fantastic historical pieces.
Author:  davedc74 [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 5:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Unbelievable. The three register Chronomat is beyond sublime. Just amazing. Bravo, Fred.
Author:  jlee5050 [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 6:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Amazing. Simply amazing. And if Breitling ever re-incarnated any of these I can't imagine the money they would make.

Such missed opportunities.
Author:  dempsey [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
Fred, Like a good cup of coffee, your collection makes my day.

On Breitling of today and yesteryear, I think the company had to do what it needed to do to stay in business. Although the Chronomats with the slide-rule don't share any history with the current models. In its current form it has individuality and purpose (one reason for its success and the reason why I became interested in the brand. My first Breitling was a Chronomat. Like with me and others, this keeps the brand alive by getting the next generation interested). Although the original Chronomats are the celebrities but next to the Navitimer would get a little stale (especially with different Nav' models editions we've seen).

Over the years, I’ve tried to understand the history and models the two company sold or sales. Although I agree with Roff on the classic models being timeless and the hunt to reclaim it's lost past admiral. The offering needs to meet the needs of today's buyers like the vintage models had done in their time. It's still in the business of making sales. Now, if a re-edition or an element of older models is resurrected, it needs a central component. This is why the Navitimer eclipsed Chronomat in later years and new models success or fails at.

There’s a story behind every current model, one day they will be desirable vintage classics. How much is yet to know.
Author:  P51 [ Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
dempsey wrote:
On Breitling of today and yesteryear


IMO, your commentary is very well considered Dempsey.
Author:  TomP [ Sun Mar 16, 2014 2:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
I always say this, so sorry for sounding like a scratched record, but if Omega had some of those watches in its back-catalogue they'd have produced some fabulous, subtle, modern reincarnations of them.
Author:  WatchFred [ Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: proud, rich history
thank you all ! and Tim, you are absolutely right, Omega has based most of their success on a small handful of watches, though their back catalogs don't even come close to that rich heritage.

decided to leave that thread alive and add watches I consider part of that "rich history" from time to time; maybe others will join and add their pieces ?

today's watch is a ref. 7650 from 1969, a. Co-Pilot Yachting

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