The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I guess it's not a huge surprise, but I read from a usually very reliable member on TZ today that Breitling is going to stop producing the Chronomat this spring and will only offer the Chronomat 01. I'll ask my AD tomorrow about this but can anyone else confirm?

_________________
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

it seems viable, not surprised. its a worthy replacement

Makes sense really and probably down to lack of availbility of new movements, They will need to keep a huge stock of spares for the future so why use stocks to build new ones, I mean they are hardly going to stick a in house movement in a non BO1 are they.

_________________

i agree.
and i hope to have the possibility to buy a B01 in the next future... but with the brushed buck rogers bezel and not with the polished one.

_________________
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've just bought a satin finish Blackbird in the UK and was told by Breitling UK just before Christmas that the current BB has been discontinued, and as of now, no more would be imported...hence my move to beat the VAT rise and possible price rise. I had guessed that they would be moving towards putting the B01 in any future BB and upping the price.

sure it will be discontinued.. also because, if you see on 'windrider' line only the Chronomat and Blackbird has the non buck rogers bezel.. and this is not logical.

_________________
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 heard the same thing this morning - as they move more in house they want to avoid confusion with two similarly named models. Couldn't get a firm answer about whether the Windrider line would die completely and what would happen to the current bezel BB, but if the in house BB is announced then we can all guess what comes next.

Makes sense I guess. If they're discontinuing the regular Navi. and replacing with Navi. 01, then replacing the regular Chronomat with the Chronomat 01 (B01, BB01) keeps them from having the same model with different movements (avoid confusion/issues as already mentioned). The Transocean is a new model altogether, no action needed.

Question is, which model is next for the in-house movement upgrade?

_________________
Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

It is inevitable breitling change and drop models. Also, they want more control of their destiny wrt to movements. I had this discussion last night on the phone with a BS member. some thoughts that came up: What is the differentiators over other watches when they all have the same guts....a 75xx or 28xx movement? How do you take a ~$300 movement and have a list price over $7000? (for stainless steel model). Oh yeah, have to pay travolta

When with the B-02 movement be out? and 03?

Looking at the history of breitling, the chronomat (original) had one of the longest runs as a model. Compare to rolex. you can have a sub from 1980 and it looks generally the same up until 2008/9. There is staying power in rolex (like it or hate it). Breitling seems to chase fads a bit and models dont last more than 5 years (typically) IMO. The aerospace may be the longest running model, although it has gone through a few name changes.

I am really beginning to appreciate some of the older and vintage models. It seems that many of the newer models are retro, remodel, or re-design. Need some innovation.

In any case, When people think of breitling it is usually navi's or Windriders. I cant see them killing the line off completely ever....well for a very, very long time.
I would like to see a very detailed technical review of the B-01 movement, including a MTTF testing, it has only been out a couple years though.

Maybe the Windrider line will be renamed to something more in keeping with the Buck Rogers style font. Maybe the Solar-Windrider or Satellite line. Or better yet, call the replacement "The Solar System" and name individual watches Mars, Venus, Mercury, etc... I think these ideas are right up there with the neon orange and red bezels on the Raven LE's

_________________
“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I was in the breitling boutique in new york on saturday and I was discussing this with a sales rep, who was talking quietly and looking over their shoulders often. But the chronomat will be fazed out very soon as well as.............the STEELFISH.

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

lol - a very tenuous (but tedious) link! I like your thinking, but i hope you are way off. This New Direction (or should that read Dimension) is hurting my senses!
Now i'm wondering if a Chronomat (b13) bezel will fit a B01....but since the cases are different sizes, maybe not. Generally, Breitling have priced me out of the new watch sector. Well, thats if i intend to keep my current watches.
I think though, that existing non-B01 chronographs may hold their used value, since a whole market of pre-owned buyers will be hankering after the traditional models rather than the recent, erm..."designs"

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

Hmm... does that mean the Steelfish will come out as a new model with an in-house movement? Can't imagine dropping it altogether as it is a very popular choice.

_________________
Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

This doesn't surprise me. It only bothers me insofar as I don't like the styling of the 01 Chronomat as well as the ETA-based Chronomat. Breitling isn't leaving a lot of options for people who like more of a classic look and aren't so enamored of the company's recent moves in styling, at least in the Windrider line. If the Blackbird gets reconfigured with a Buck Rogers bezel, then I'll know Breitling has jumped the shark.

Buck Rogers bezel on a BB....think I'm going to cry....



Pics curt. Duxford 10 (2009)

_________________
Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"