The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I read somewhere that Breitling would love to put the B01 in more watches, but it is beyond their current manufacturing capability to do so. I can't quote the source, which was only a posting on a forum, maybe this forum, for what it's worth. But it makes sense and I'm just mentioning that in response to those people who are criticizing Breitling for not expanding the B01 line. Maybe they really want to, but can't yet.

Peace

Mike

_________________
IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

It seems to me that the Galactic series would have to replace the Cockpit series. The new Galactic 41 looks to be the standard Cockpit without the roman numerals on dial and with the B01 bezel. The chrono Galactic looks to be the chrono cockpit with the B01 bezel change, etc. Would these relatively minor changes be enough to be considered a separate series? In other words, could they have both the Galactic and the Cockpit in the Windrider range? Or would they split Galactic out of Windrider? I wouldn't think so but maybe Breitling has some other future plans ahead.

Hopefully we will soon find out! I like the present Cockpit design the way it is now, classy look.

_________________
Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

From what ive read they have the capability to produce 50,000 movements a year--far more than the number of B01 Chronomats they pump out. I think theyre just trying to milk the B01 Chronomat as an exclusive model that can command a premium without having to drastically raise prices of current models with just an engine upgrade. Ill bet when the worlds economy picks up and they can get away with heftier price tags we'll see more B01 applications.

_________________
-RJ

I dont have a clue what the actual situation is, but it would make sense for them to introduce a separate Galactic line that would give them the freedom to introduce newer and edgier designs without dramatically altering the other lines and the styling cues in the current lines that theyve become so well known for.

_________________
-RJ

Based on the new Breitling catalogue which is called "Pure Breitling" and not chronolog anymore, there are also the following novelties:

- Chrono-matic 1461, a limited 2000-piece edition with a calendar mechanism requiring adjustment only once every leap year, hence a "memory" of 1'461 days
- Chrono-matic QP, a limited 125-piece edition with a mechanism composed of 500 parts and designed to indicate date, day, week, month, season and moon-phases while taking into account leap-year variations
- Airwolf Raven with a black rubber-molded bezel and on the caseback a turbine-shaped construction serving as resonance chamber for audible applications
-Skyracer Raven, actually a Skyracer with a black rubber-molded bezel

_________________


- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

These models aren't part of the new 2010 range as they've been around for a while now - probably a year.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Sorry just compared the 2009-2010 catalogues.

_________________


- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

I wrote here somwhere a year ago that my guy told that this is the design direction Breitling wants to go for... and here we are. By introducing the B01 they wanted to make a new landmark model and test the waters design wise. Elsewhere from this forum, the B01 has been much better recieved. The response has been so incoureging that B could take this next step and widen the design to other models. If the B01 would have bomped, we´d be looking at different looking models right now.

The B01 has been out selling their capacity at the moment. When that changes more models will come with the inhouse movement.

Cockpit (sort of sister models to Galactics) which isn´t a big seller and not one of the most important core models, so it´s just common sense to play with them to further see how far the new look can carry.

I showed a couple of friends a picture of Chronomat, BB, Skyland, Colt, SO, SA and Cockpit. All were Chronos. They thought they were looking at the same model with different size or dial option. Same with non crhonos. The B01 to them looked like a different watch and they liked it. So the new look ads more depth and flair to the range. that seems to intrest new blood to the brand. It takes nothing away from the other line up.

Sure it´s more style over substance, but all the wonderful Instruments For Professionals are still there for us to enjoy.
My source is a good friend and a watch smith who services B:s in my home town. He just got back from B training.

Hi, I'm not doubting your source at all, but that's just very different to what I've heard. I heard that the B01 Chronomat has not been the massive seller Breitling were hoping for.

If Breitling really are at full production capacity of 50,000 B01 movements a year (which I doubt at this stage), then there's no way they've sold 50,000 B01 Chronomats in the last year.

In 2008 (pre-global recession when numbers will undoubtedly have dropped a little), Breitling produced around 290,000 watches in total. And they produce, what, about 20 to 30 models across the range? The B01 is one of the most expensive pieces they procude, so I can't imagine they'd have sold anywhere near 50,000 of them.

Of course the actual production of the B01 movement may be a fraction of that 50,000 figure, but even so, for them to quote 50,000 I'd assume them to be producing reasonable numbers already.

Personally, I've kind of given up trying to understand the direction Breitling are going in. All I know is that there's not been a single new model from them over the past 2 years that I've wanted to own enough to make me buy. Other brands will be getting my money for the foreeable future.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

I have an idea about the direction - it's to annoy their customers. First came the ASBS and buyers felt exclusive. Now look at the plethora of DLC. If I had bought the ASBS I would have started crying when the SABS came and now - crying rivers.

Same story with the Chronomat B01. Sure, last year it was a different look and it didn't get much love here. In other places, more positive replies. Those who bought it got an expensive inhouse movement. Now, there are more than a handful with the same look - but without the inhouse B01. If I had bought a Chronomat B01 I would have done so much for the movement, and I also would be extremely annoyed that the Galactic watches "steal" from the Chronomat B01.

_________________
Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Breitling has built facilities with the capacity to produce 50,000 movements per year. Ultimately that will be in house movements, but currently it isn't. As I understand it there have been some conscious choices made:

1) Not to ramp up to 50,000 in the current economy - and there may be some truth to the rumours of financial difficulties
2) To use some capacity on generic movements - 2892, 7750, etc

In addition I keep hearing recurring rumours of production problems with the B01 - not compromising the end product, but definitely compromising the volume.

Furthermore, Breitling are deliberately throttling back on B01 production because they want to maintain an image of the watch being difficult to obtain - people having to wait etc. Bottom line is that sales have not met expectations, the Basel announcements would suggest that Breitling feel that is market driven rather than design driven.

Roff, spot on! There´s always been talk of the 50000 capacity, but nowhere is stated to what it´s used for or when is it on full gear. I didn´t say B01 is a sales succes, just that it´s selling it´s current capasity. If it wasn´t there would allready be another B01 model to get more sales and to use the extra capacity.

I was allso told they needed to ramp up the generic movements quantity inhouse, but that´s hen or egg. depending on which way it´s been told and by who?

Yes it hasn´t met their initial expectations, but those were made at a better time. Now they feel it´s meeting the right numbers for this situation. So the "low" volumes are due to market, like Roff said, rather then design. And that´s what I was told.

Right now to survive most companies need to be market driven more then before. As an example, our company is missing couple of key products that made our brand stand out, but there´s no resources for that as they are more Brand image products. All money is now invested in "volume" rather then niche products for us to see tomorrow. Then we can get back on track.

Has anyone come across any 'live' pictures of the new watches?

_________________
Current collection: Breitling Superocean Heritage I 46, Rolex Submariner, Swatch X ****** Sistem51

#1) Breitling doesn't want to raise their prices. They didn't raise the prices in 2009 and they won't in 2010. Adding B01 movement to a current model will raise the price and I'm sure their marketing department is saying the bulk of customers aren't willing to pay that much more for a movement change.

#2) From a marketing prospective it might make the most sense to do a LE B01 in a current model. I suspect a major change like this can't be done at a reasonable price in small quantities so they aren't doing this either.

#3) Breitling doesn't want to dilute current B01 sales after only 1 year. They probably think the enthusiast buyer will buy a Chronomat B01 to get the new movement and then later also buy a second watch with the B01. Putting the B01 in another model would kill Chronomat B01 sales at a time when it's still "fresh" and can bring in "new model" buyers.

#4) Development for the Galactic line probably started before sales results were available for the B01. I suspect the Galactic line is going to come in at a much lower price point, which right now is key to staying in business.

In summary Breitling is making the right moves to stay in business. They are releasing LE pieces that don't cost them a lot to make and suits the LE buyers market and they are diversifying their line a bit and releasing lower price point lines to meet the needs of the shrinking economy. Keep in mind a new line is the only way they can do this because dropping the prices on current models would dilute the brand value.