The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I was wondering. Why is there such a large price gap between the chronomat and the BB. I understand that the b is a special edition of the chronomat, but what is sooo different which makes it that much more expensive. The only differences I can think of are the lume, the big date, the chrono 369 positions, and the faceted bracelet. But do these slight differences really require that much of an increase in $?

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"Don't Touch The Watch." - Patrick Bateman

If you're referring to the B01 vs. BB, then it is the new "in-house" movement in the B01.

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UN Maxi Marine Ti
B01, BEB
SOH
Aerospace Ti
Chrono SO
Omega 300 Master Co-Axial Chro
Omega PO Chrono.
AP ROO Diver
Titan Black Rolex DSOD Honeycomb Dial

no, he is refering to the chronomat evolution to the blackbird i believe... well...as you said... the big date extra complication, the unique brushed finish and polished on sides, the almost unique black date window, the unique faceted bracelet and a unique style caseback make it a more exclusive chronomat and also a more expensive i believe.

Only 3 breitling models in prodution are equiped whit the big date complication the BB and 2 bentley models, the 6.75 and the flying B

started 5540$us head only back in 2008 but this year already passed the 7000$us mark

BB is one of the most expensive in the windrider series...besides the b01

but its also a thing of beauty

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Breitling Chrono Avenger Black Dial whit Pro II Ti, Diver Pro I
Breitling BlackBird Big Date brushed whit SS Bracelet, brown croco
Breitling BlackBird Blacksteel 528/2000 Whit Dp2 Deployment
Omega Planet Ocean Chrono 9300 Co-axial Ceramic on SS bracelet

And the Cockpit.

I think the movement and bracelet certainly account for a meaningful price difference. And as for the rest I guess the answer to why Breitling has priced it ao high is because ...they can.

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SHARKMAN

opps - missed the qualifier - "in production." Take away the Cockpit.

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SHARKMAN

and then add in the Cockpit with a Buck Rogers bezel - Galactic 41 - and you have the other big date...in production.


The BB's Caliber 44 38 jeweled movement is impressive. And production costs for the faceted bracelet links has to be higher. The other day my AD descibed his latest tour of the Breitling factory and the machine that individually cuts each link piece from a long length of steel. All that is left for each link of regular pilot bracelet is drilling holes and final finishing. Seems there is at least one additional and substantial step in the BB link process. But I'm no engineer.

Throw in a little "it's special" pricing and - there you have it.

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SHARKMAN

Errr guys, the Cockpit doesn't use the B44 movement, nor has it in the past. Yes it has a "big date" complication but it uses the B49, not the B44.

The B44 has only been used/is used in the current BB and the Crosswind Special. The B44B (i.e. the Bentley variant) is used in the 6.75 and the Flying B Chrono.

And yes the reason for the additional price of the BB over the Chronomat is due to the movement and a few styling touches here and there - the special bracelet, the lume on all subdial hands, etc, etc. Oh and also for marketing purposes of course - perceived "exclusivity" etc.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Well the Flying B isn't in production and it doesn't have a big date - in fact it doesn't have any date!

Prices are always higher on limited production pieces - the bracelet in particular isn't shared with any other models so the production costs per unit will be higher.

Let's also recognise that price has very little to do with cost and everything to do with how much people are willing to pay for it.

Referring to the BB, not Cockpit.

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SHARKMAN