The Breitling Watch Source Forums

exactly. I know we shouldn't get worked up about it because it's not like it's our company or anything , and yes people are right when they say if we don't like them, then don't buy them. BUT........

Personally I've loved Breitling watches for well over a decade, and literally drooled over each new Chronolog every single year waiting to see what new and fantastic model they'd dreamt up....... until about a year or so ago. The vast majority of new Breitling models over recent years have left me a little underwhelmed. In fact, I think the last new model that totally wowed me was the Navi World, and that came out in 2005! That's not to say I've not liked some of the new models since then, but nothing has wowed me enough to make me want to buy one of them.

For the longest time I was waiting for an in-house movement from Breitling, so I was waiting with baited breath for the B01 to arrive. And when it did I was a little underwhelmed yet again, purely due to the fact that it doesn't seem to offer anything particularly ground breaking. It's been said before, but the B01 is more of an evolution than a revolution. However, I was still planning to buy one immediately........ until I saw the B01 Chronomat bezel, and that was that.

Now going back to the original topic, I'm personally a bit irritated by all this Blacksteel preoccupation that Breitling seem to have become stuck in, because it shows a real lack of forward thinking and innovation IMHO. The first BS AS was something different and while the surface coating put me off buying one, I really liked the look of it. (If it had been made of ceramic I'd have snapped one up long ago). But now we are going to have SIX blacksteel models in the range, all with red accents and on rubber straps. To me it just shows the direction Breitling is going in - i.e. away from the innovation and forward thinking approach that always kept my interest in them. Don't get me wrong, this BS BB is not a bad looking watch - far from it in fact. Just like all the other BS pieces, it's a damn good looking piece. It's just that we've seen it all before.

In all honesty, Breitling aren't currently in my thinking with regards to where my watch collection is going to go, and that saddens me a little because I genuinely have an affection for the brand. Of course if a decent looking B01 equiped model ever turns up (no offense to any B01 Chronomat owners - this is just my opinion), then of course I will snap one up, but in the meantime my Breitling collection will either stay the same or get smaller, because it certainly won't be getting any bigger.

new BS Avenger Superquartz that Davey posted about yesterday

they "degraded" the blackbird model by offering it in a polished finish

I am new to the forum but I have been following Breitling for a few years, I just like their styles/designs.

This blacksteel thing sure has hit a nerve(s). I understand most eveyone's worries(?) about this though. After reading the posts it sounds to me like we are afraid of Breitling giving up on or losing their development/ingenuity of new products. I do have one question though. Does Breitling usually let out or go public with all their new "stuff" just before Basel show? What if the blacksteel stuff is just a "teaser" or preview to better things ahead at Basel? (Maybe? Wishful thinking?) You guys have more pre-basel experience than I do.

I think I will wait to see what happens in March, not giving up them yet!
Hoping for the best, have a good weekend. Thanks. (PS- go USA hockey! ha!)

I believe they ruined the whole look of the Blackbird by making it shiney. It was supposed to be symbolic of the SR-71 Blackbird and a brushed finish with the black dial was a perfect fit. I cant imagine a shiney SR-71!!!

Uh, puhlease!

I believe Davey saw a SWCBS, not a ASBS SQ.
It would be just too much.