The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Here are a couple real life pics of new Chrono Superoceans, a SO 44, and the Transocean.

http://breitlingreport.com/2011/03/24/basel-breitlings/

Hmmmmm, if this is it from Breitling at Baselworld 2011, then I have to say it's another year of disappointment, although there are a couple of highlights as far as I'm concerned.

The Good

1. For me the absolute standout by a million miles is the Chronomatic GMT B04. That is one watch that (subject to trying it on) I'd happily buy.

2. I also think the Flying Fish is a very handsome looking piece - kind of like an even more understated Chronomat 01 LE. (Bit of a dopey name though, although not quite as daft as the perpetually hilarious "Galactic"! *snigger, snigger*).

3. I also like the new "standard" Navitimer with the black date wheel and the gold wings. For those reasons alone I actually much prefer it to the Navtimer 01 LE. The only thing that let's it down IMO is the size as, while 43mm should be OK for me, the fine Navi construction makes it wear even smaller. I also want to see a white dial version as they tend to wear slightly larger.

4. The Navi 1461 is beautiful and a great size at 46mm, but the same old same old B19 movement turns me off the no doubt exorbitant price.

The Bad

1. The Chronomat 41 - simply, what's the point? The standard 43.5mm is perfectly wearable to practically anyone.

2. I can't imagine for one second that the 'Galactic Chronograph II' is the new BB. I think the new BB (when it arrives) will be based on the Chronomat B01 just as all the previous models have been based on the current Chronomat.

3. The SOH Heritage - At 42mm I'm sure it will appeal to some as there was always a large size jump between the 38 and 46mm versions, but again, I can't help thinking what's the point of it? Are we going to see all models in numerous sizes by 2mm increments?

The Worse!

1. The Transocean non-chrono is the exact opposite of the Transocean chrono IMO - one is interesting, functional and handsome looking, and uses an in-house movement : the other is dull-looking beyond words and doesn't use an in-house movement.

The Ugly

1. The "new" Monty Legende is just an ugly version of good watch.

2. The new SO's (all of them) are spoiled IMO by the rubber bezel, no bezel lume, and clumsy looking markers. I'm dreading that they'll eventually ruin the Seawolf in the same way.

The Worse AND Ugly!

1. And then we have the ubiquitous DLC coated yawn-yawn stuff, and of course the red rubber equiped abortions that single handedly plunge Breitling into the Invicta-like realms IMO.

Again, I was hoping for so much more -

- I was hoping the (inevitable) non-chrono in-house was ready to be released.
- I was hoping that the handsome Navi World / Navi 1461 case was going to be filled with a B04 (or B01) movement.
- I was hoping the rubber bezels (both black and coloured) were going to be consigned to the bin.
- I was hoping all those non-professional divers watches (i.e. those with no pearl or bezel lume) were going to be scrapped.
- I was hoping the DLC paint-pot would've run dry by now.
- I was hoping for a new BB.
- I was hoping for a retro styled, PROPER (i.e. left hand crown) Chronomatic running a B01.
- I was hoping for Panerai-like innovation in terms of materials - maybe a ceramic bezel or case perhaps?
- I was hoping the brand would have a coherant range in terms of styling cues. At the moment it all seems desperately random - like none of the design teams for each watch ever talk to one-another, or have ever opened a Breitling history book.

Never mind - maybe next year, eh?

(But I really LOVE the Chronomat GMT B04! )

SOII GMT is really horrible in my opinion. It looks like they had some extra cases and movements from the failed Colt GMT+

And to think the replacement for the Steelfish - 44mm SoII - will likely be priced at or above $4,000. Oy vey.

Having visited the show yesterday, I obviously didn't have the chance to post anything until now. So, I won't repeat what has already been said because I mostly agree with all comments posted until now on this topic.

I can only post some pics of some of the models seen on the Breitling stand.

Astonishingly, there was no Transocean exposed but the discontinued Emergency was. Somebody must explain this to me.

Sorry for the little rant

It's weird but think about it like this, this year we have done better than last year. Last year we just hand the b01 which is ok to start. This year the navi 01 the transocean 01 monty 01. Now the chronomat gmt 04. Albeit only 2 movements but now 5 in house models. Rather than some of the other junk I wish they had done a cosmonaute 02 and a navi 1461 in house that would have been 2 on my list. It def cements that fact I'll be on the look out for a bb soon now they have been binned. The rest Of the new stuff I can leave well alone

It's weird but think about it like this, this year we have done better than last year. Last year we just hand the b01 which is ok to start. This year the navi 01 the transocean 01 monty 01. Now the chronomat gmt 04. Albeit only 2 movements but now 5 in house models. Rather than some of the other junk I wish they had done a cosmonaute 02 and a navi 1461 in house that would have been 2 on my list. It def cements that fact I'll be on the look out for a bb soon now they have been binned. The rest Of the new stuff I can leave well alone