The Breitling Watch Source Forums

On the belief that Breitling read these forums (which I believe they do), I just wanted to write a quick post to openly say a big thank you to Breitling for starting to restore my faith in the brand with the latest B01 equiped models.

After being into Breitlings for many years, I must confess that I had lost a lot of faith in Breitling over the last couple of years - so much so in fact that I was at a point where I was starting to question whether I'd ever buy another Breitling again. I was honestly that unimpressed with what I saw them producing. (Don't get me wrong, I don't hate everything they've made in the last couple of years, but they seemed to be standing still, or even going backwards, while other manufacturers were shooting ahead). For a while I was holding out for the first in-house movement and then when it arrived they went and put it in a watch that I really didn't warm to initially. More recently my feelings towards the Chronomat B01 have changed, but not quite enough to buy one in it's stardard guise, even though it's a superbly finished piece.

HOWEVER, the new Chronomat B01 LE is a very different beast IMO, and I absolutely love it in it's new brushed finish and same colour rehaut and dial. So much so, that I've got one on hold! At the same time Breitling have produced the Navitimer B01 LE - another watch that I absolutely love. And more recently they've followed up with the new Transocean, which is yet another piece that I love! (I know a lot of you seem to dislike it, but I think it's great).

I now find myself actually looking forward to seeing what's coming next, especially in the in-house field, instead of dreading what possible monstrosities they might dream up, which is what it was starting to feel like.

So once again, THANK YOU BREITLING for starting to restore my faith in the brand. You'll no doubt be seeing some more of my cash as a result!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Nice post.

I agree that the last few months have seen a vast improvement (from my perspective) compared to what I felt after Basel. I think that there's still a ways to go, but if this is a sign of things to come then things look very good.

I am a little confused on pricing - I found the Navitimer B01 to be a 'bargain' (relative of course), but feel that the TransOcean is a little pricey.

I am starting to show a lot more interest in the newer pieces for the first time in a couple of years - long may it continue.

Isn't it interesting that some of the pieces we're really liking hark back to an older age? I'm not super keen on the Chronomat B01. But, like Driver, i love the Navi and especially like the TransOcean. Their styling has a classic quality that i love. Could be that Breitling will start to win back some of their older customers and hope to keep the newer ones as well with the rest of their line.

I have to say it is also exciting for someone just becoming interested in Breitling. It seems like a the brand will offer a number of quality options as my collection, interests, and tastes change and refine.

Guess they got me hooked for the long haul

I'm with Roff on this one.

Though I am still not sold on the SOII bezel, I love the styling. It may likely be the next Ling I buy, depending on what comes next.

The B01 bezel font looks great on the brushed. The only complaint I have with it is the great disparity between the font on the bezel and the date. Other than that I <3 it!

The Navtimer B01, though not my bag of tea is superb.

The TransOcean for what it is, is right in line with the SOH & SOHC, very well executed for the classics it was intended to pay homage to, IMO.

I'm not 100% in love with everything about the latest offerings like I am with the Colt Auto II and the Chronomat, but they certainly are growing on me. They are introducing the things that I care most about, a DB, I-house movement etc, I think things are getting better, and the best is yet to come.

For what ever caused this abrupt face from Breitling, I am greatfull. I too was doubtfull that I would ever but another "new" model. I think someone IS monitoring this and the other WIS forums and finally listening to the desires of thier core consumer. I, for one, cant wait to lay hands on my Navitimer B01 next month!

And if the new trend continues, I will be looking at a possible Blackbird B02??, next year! Im gonna be so broke.....


Thanks Breitling, for restoring my faith is MY brand!

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I'm also glad to see the slight change back to the traditional style...making some models more subdued to appeal to the traditional Ling buyer, not just modern day fashionistas.

I like the new SO2 for being different, another 5+ years of Steelfish X-Plus etc would've been too long.

What I'm not keen on, are the amount of so-called LE's which just feature a 5min paint job. Yellow needles, red needles.... it's all a bit desperate.
The SOHC LE's with 2 registers - are to me, a proper LE. Totally identifiable from the standard SOHC's.
Then there's Blacksteel this and Blacksteel that...might aswell go and DLC my dinner cutlery to follow the trend.

Don't like the way they messed with the Blackbird to create the Bluetit.

Overall, my faith in the brand has been somewhat restored. Hope they reassigned the first batch of designers.

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

I agree with the amount of LE's both in terms of the quantity per release, and the number of releases themselves.

On the other hand, if they are selling well, can't blame them. They are a for profit company at the end of the day, and if the market will bear it, so be it.

Personally at this point in time I don't actually care whether they are limited editions or not. The single most important thing for me is that Breitling are making watches once more that I really REALLY want to own! And after some of the recent (non-inhouse) abortions they've come up with (Blacksteel CM49 anyone?), I'm just very pleased.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

No ONE at Breitling monitors this site. Nothing to see here. Move along, move along....

i think you are not correct here..

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Breitling Antares B10047
Breitling Chronomat B13050
Breitling Chronomat A13050.1 - pilot bracelet
Breitling Chronomat Blackbird A13050.1 - serie spéciale
Breitling Avenger Seawolf E17370
Breitling Chronomat EVO A13356 - pilot bracelet

I know for a fact thats wrong I speak to BUK a lot and have spoken to them about this site.Although Breitling will not allow staff to post here or reply to posts.

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I think johnny was kidding...

info is so accesable these days that any modern company "not" utilizing all of their resouirces (i.e. reading blog posts) would be a fool.

I would imagine a company like Breilting has enough smart folks working there that this and other forums are on the radar

I don't know if Breitling monitors us, but I am also very glad things turned into the "right" direction. I've had so many issues with the new models that I turned into the past and bought a 2-year-old (but NOS) Chrono-Matic instead of picking a SO II or Chronomat B01. I really didn't understand why Breitling wouldn't introduce the B01 movement in the Navitimer range, but now they did, and they even went further than just introducing the Navi 01. Now I'm very excited about their upcoming releases, maybe we'll see a Blackbird 01 or a SuperOcean Heritage Chrono 01 soon?

Now they only have to add the B01 (or 01) movement to the Chrono-Matic, shrink it back to a managable size (43-44mm), and they'd make me the happiest guy, ever! I know it's not going to happen, but heck, I wouldn't think I'd see anything interesting rolled out by Breitling before Basel 2011, and they proved me very wrong.

So I have to repeat the topic title: Thanks Breitling!

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Ingenieur - Speedmaster - Submariner