The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Well now! I currently have in my possession (courtesy of FEAR) a brand new Chronomat B01! Now before I go on, I need to stress (in very LARGE letters) that it's not mine. I purchased it on behalf of a good mate of mine who freely admits to knowing next to nothing about watches (but he has cash and loves the look at the B01), and he travels quite a lot with work meaning that taking delivery was always going to be a problem for him. Hence he gave me the cash and left it to me to do the deal with FEAR.

Anyway, the guy's away in Europe for a couple more weeks, which means that this Chronomat B01 will be sitting in my safe for a little while yet.......... so while I obviously would never wear it, it doesn't mean I can't look at it a bit ( ), and so I thought this would be a good opportunity to see whether having one closely to hand for a period of time may have any impact on my own impressions of it (especially given that I'm quite a vocal opponent of the styling). Prior to this, my contact with the B01 has been limited to handling a number of different versions at my AD for no more than about 15 mins or so at a time, so this is quite a novelty.

So.... how does it stack up? Well, I must be honest here, but it is beautifully finished. I had a good look at the dial through my x5 loupe and it's absolutely flawless. The patterning on the dial where the square overlaps the subdials is a real work of art. It's difficult to say if it's any better than any other Breitling in that respect (as all Breitlings are beautifully put together), but there is definitely more in terms of subtle textures going on, so in that regard the beautiful execution is all the more impressive.

The case is also (IMO) a step up from the Aeromarine models in terms of subtle changes of angle on the case profile. The slight curvature top to bottom on the side of the case (that I noted in my initial "first encounter" review last year) really does give it a little more visual interest compared to the more slab-sided look of the Aeromarines. (Don't get me wrong here - the Aeromarine models are superb in their own right and are priced differently, so this isn't a "knock the cheaper models" exercise - more just an observation of design and finishing).

I guess what I'm saying in terms of the dial and case is that there is a lot more subtlety to the design that initially meets the eye.

Size wise, well I have to make a confession here. Recently I've been finding my SA han't been getting so much wrist time due to it's size/thickness. The Bentleys are fine as they are thinner, but more and more recently I've been finding that my sweet-spot as far as size goes is 44 to 46mm. My Navi World and IWC BP at 46mm are both perfect. 44mm Panerai's look spot on as well, and my 44.7mm Doxa is a great size despite wearing slightly smaller that it's size would suggest on account of the shortened lug design. On any other watch forum, that would still be seen as massive, but here it's very much middle of the road. So while I'd rather the Chonomat B01 was a fraction bigger, it's longer lugs seem to make up for the diameter a little, and as a result the size is not quite the killer blow that it was when I first saw the specs and picked one up.

Now......THAT bezel. Yes it's still an odd choice of font. Still no doubt in my mind about that at all - but in it's defence, it's no where near as intrusive when it's away from the bright lights of an AD, and a million miles away from the "in your face" appearance in the publicity pictures. It's kind of like the "Original Gas Escape Valve" wording on the SDDS. That said, if they'd just stuck to a more traditional font, I'm pretty sure more people would've warmed to it from the outset. The final point on the bezel (and this is the real shock for me), is that I think I'm actually warming a little to the reduced profile rider tabs! After spending a decent amount of time handling this Chronomat B01, looking at the dial under a loupe, etc, etc, I must confess that when I picked up my SA immediately afterwards, the riders actually looked a little dated. OK, so it took me all of about 10 seconds to get back into the traditional riders again, but there's no denying that the reduced riders do look quite modern and sleek. This was a complete shock to me as I've said numerous times that for me the riders are an integral part of the Breitling DNA, so maybe, just maybe I'm a little more prepared to accept the new look than I once was. (It's taken over a year and temporary ownership of one for a few days for me to even start to accept it, but hey, a start's a start! )

I can't comment on the movement as the watch is not mine, so I'm not prepared to mess around with it like that.

So there we are. Would I now buy one myself? In a word - No. It's still not traditional enough for me, but I think my opinions on it have moderated a little after being in the presence of one for 3 or 4 days now. However, that said, I'm not feeling that it's the bastard creation that I once did. Maybe there is a place for both the old and the new bezels, although I have a sneeking suspicion that Breitling will ditch the old riders altogether before long. A quick look at the Windrider range in the "Pure Breitling" catalogue shows that only the old Chronomat and the BB retain the old bezel - the other 5 all sport the new bezel.....

My mate isn't back from Germany for another couple of weeks or so, so this B01 is going to be living with me for a little bit longer yet. Who knows how I might feel about it by then!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Interesting thoughts Driver8 - it will be interesting to see if your feelings evolve further in the next couple of weeks.

Could also use some guidance from your mate myself

Great post driver......Thats the same thing i felt when i wore it for a few hours at my uncles store, it's really has a big presence on the wrist and it feels a lot different do to those rounded edges....When i first seen on a picture the dial was really nice but the basel turned me off... After wearing it for a while and talking to a few costumers about different watches i really got some attention from them, the basel is not all that noticeable when your not starring at it (granted it's not a traditional look) but for some reason it goes to it after putting on the Evo. i noticed the edges right away they feel more sharper and from looking at it from the side where the crown is with the push pieces the bracelet does not completely wrap around my wrist cause i have small wrists (i'm 5'6" 159 lbs.) so maybe some one with bigger wrist wouldn't notice that gap so the point i'm trying to make that the B01 feels a lot better on the wrist then even my World so for 4500 USD i'm thinking of purchasing it (black dial only)
My b-day is coming up maybe my wife will let me

Great post again and wear it for a few hours your friend wont know i think it would grow on you.....

_________________
Navitimer World

I was also very impressed with the quality and smoothness of the bezel when it rotates.

Correct me if I'm wrong D8 but isn't Britain in Europe? I mean, sure Britain is not part of the euro zone, but geographically it's still is in Europe, no?

As for the B01, as I've already have said elsewhere in this forum, the bezel was one (if not THE reason) of the reasons that made me decide for it, together with the very particular design of the roman numerals.

I would be very interested though to hear how your opinion will evolve (if it does) in the time your mate comes back from "Europe".

_________________


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

Yes Britain is technically part of Europe but as most other European countries will agree, Britain is usually something of an outsider! We also have more Euro-skeptics in the UK than other countries I bet. Maybe I should've said "continental Europe" instead! Anyway, the guys in Germany, which to us Brits is "proper" Europe!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Just teasing you there, I know exactly what you meant ...and how you felt

_________________


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

Driver8, that's a very thoughtful writeup on the B01. As the watch is extremely polarizing, it's nice to see someone from the other camp reevaluate the watch and be open to altering their original opinion. I'm anxious to see how your thoughts evolve in the coming weeks.

-Craig

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

I think several of the doubters may change their mind if they were given a similar chance to evaluate a B01 for a couple of days. Sometimes I think I could fall in love with a specific watch if I were given a chance to see it under natural lighting, on someone's wrist, out in the real world. That actually happened to me, about the B-1 last year. Saw it on a friend's wrist, I asked him if I could try it on, and bang: love at first sight

IMHO most ADs have a dark, "sterile", artificial environment that may or may not let a particular watch to show itself off properly. Some watches look completely out of place under heavy spot lights, or they just sparkle and shine more than what usually the wearer would face everyday.

Driver8: thank you for the short review. It's great to hear an almost objective review of this truly polarizing watch

I've always wanted to do this!

_________________
Men are from Mars, women are from Hell.

Hey Driver, whats the color combination on it? Steel band or croco?

Nice write up. One of the better ones I have read on Breitling Source.

Thanks!!!

P.S.

Post some pictures!!!! Unless you think it will steal his glory......is he even a member on here

_________________
Chronomat BF w/ Pilot
Sky Land Avenger w/ Pro II
Tag Heuer SLR

Cheers Juan! No, he's not a member on here - he's not really a watch person - he just earns good money and took a real shine to the B01, and FEAR was selling at a very good price.

It's the onyx black dial (black dial, black date wheel, white sub-dials and white rehaut) on black croco with deployant.

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

Sounds like a pretty sweet build!!! I think when I pull the trigger on my B01 I will get a Black croco with deployment as well.

_________________
Chronomat BF w/ Pilot
Sky Land Avenger w/ Pro II
Tag Heuer SLR

I have to admit, after seeing the pics posted today of the blackeye blue B01 in the gallery, I could give the B01 another look. I don't mind the dial so much, it's just the bezel font that I'd need to get used to.

_________________
Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

Well I think theres a small chance that we may convert someone who I thought could never be converted. In all this debate, I dont think people could understand what I was saying when I said that the "BO1 is a true Breitling" The internet does the BO1 an abslolute injustice. People have said that the BO1 isnt a watch for the true believers. I disagree!

I wanted a Chronomat since I was 18, I had seen it pictured on the back of a business magazine in Australia called BRW or Business Review Weekly. For 22 years I wanted a Chronomat, but as with everything I could never buy it because I always had other more important expenses!

Then the BO1 was released, before I even read anything about it, I recognised it as being a Breitling and a Chronomat- indeed for someone who followed Breitling for over 20 years the B01 is just an evolution of the model. Even when I was considering which watch to buy- I was so hamstrung, talking to George and everything, I was changing my mind almost every 2nd day, the watch I wanted for 20 years or the new model. Theres no way I would have bought the BO1 if I didnt think it was in the Breitling or Chronomat tradition. In the end its just an advanced model thats all! As for cost- thats a decision everyone has to make!

The BO1 deserves its place in the Breitling line up and should be recognised as such. Even for a 2 decade Breitling watcher like me, It is a true Breitling!

I'm still in awe of mine, I think its just a remarkable piece. Great technology, a fantastic look and the looks its drawing in the shopping centres is amazing. I still notice people from 20 or 30 metres away looking my way, specifically at my left wrist- not me - just my wrist lol. Its an amazing watch IMHO and Im so glad I got it.

_________________
Breitling Chronomat BO1 Riviera Blue Dial Stainless Steel Case and Pilot Bracelet