The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I just read this page and completely forgot what this thread was about.

I don't think anyone here has any problem with eta movements, we all probably have watches with them and I love my two, but I'd also take a JLC or Zenith in house for that price over the B01 in a huge watch.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

And to be honest I would take a JLC or Zenith over a B01 in otherwise identical watches at comparable price points.

Who is hating on ETA movements? I'd rather have THREE $3000 Breitling with an eta movement than ONE B01 GMT. I'd rather have a timex calculator watch actually.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

its a bo4 btw, not a b01

And in the flesh, it's bad ass!!!

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BC

But that's only a B01 with an extra wheel, it's not a separate movement design.

I've seen comments (not necessarily here) that because ETA movements are so widely used, it makes watches that have them all pretty much the same. The sentiment is that watches with in-house movements are more unique and intrinsically interesting, and also more exclusive. I can see the logic behind that view, but for me, the exclusivity or uniqueness of a movement is a secondary concern. I do want the movement to be chronometer grade and of tested reliability, but at that point, the aesthetic and functional properties of the watch become my primary interest - looks, fit, features, etc. The B13 makes my CSO do what I want it to do, so I'm fine with it. The only thing I wouldn't mind being different is not having to worry about the 8-3 zone, but it's a small issue.

Wow! Lively discussion here on the forum. Figured I may as well pipe in as well, even though I don't post here very often I do enjoy this forum.

I'll go on record that I like the GMT Chronomat, for it's function as well as looks. I like big watches and I can pull them off, so I'm glad they gave us the option of a larger size. I DO think it would be even cooler if it came with a brushed finish, as I really like the B01 models that are brushed, but maybe something like that will come along down the road. I like the 44mm models fine, and have several, but always wished for a larger chronomat, and this fits the bill for me. So, I'll most likely buy one after I see one in person. I'm guessing those of us who don't like them won't buy one, and that's cool too. I enjoy the discussion either way and I appreciate the variety of choices.

As far as comparing the quality of Breitlings with JLC and Zenith... I'm not a watch genius by any stretch and I don't have the amazing technical knowledge that some of the members display every now and then - and I enjoy when they do - but I have to say I don't really see a gigantic difference between these brands for the most part. Granted, I only have one JLC and 2 Zeniths, so I am undoubtably more familiar with Breitling (those who know me understand to what ridiculous degree this familiarity has reached), but I really feel Breitling is making a product that can stand tall. I'm wearing a Blackbird as I write this, and I have to say, the closer I inspect this piece the more impressed I become over time. My JLC MC Diver Chrono has phenomenal winding, sublime chrono pusher feel, a rubberized bracelet is a thing of beauty and the slick pusher locking system that is really cool. However, the chrono "minute" subdial has always been just a hair off alignment, and resetting the chrono makes the main minute hand jump forward just a little. And one of my Zeniths alway skips over the 1st of the month when the date changes... goes right from the 31st to the 2nd, misses the 1st altogether.

Do these things bother me? Yeah, I'm not gonna lie, but not enough to send it in for months and months. I'll get it checked when it's due for service. My point is, both are great brands with fascinating histories and technical abilities, but they are not perfect either. Pretty close, but not.

My Breitlings, which number near two dozen at last count, have for the most part been impressively solid. My Skyland had to be tweaked after purchase, and so did one of my Chronomats. Nothing serious, all fixable. I know some have had bad luck, and I always feel bad for those people, my experience with my Breitlings has been positive. And when I examine them and admire their finish, quality, build and design, I never cease to be impressed. I love the new movement and I'm looking forward to seeing what else they put it into.

Anyway, I'm just sayin'... we should all continue to be critical of Breitling and not accept junk from them, and while i certainly don't dig ALL the new design directions, at least they have not scrimped on the variety. There seems to be as many choices as there are tastes to go with them. Some of the "dislike" comments here regarding the GMT might change once the watch is finally viewed in person. I'm looking forward to seeing it. After all, there ARE people on here who have larger than 7.5" wrists, and our Chronomats just seem a bit small after swapping from our SA's and the like. I've been waiting for something like this.

Cheers guys, and sorry for being so long-winded. Love the forum.

Ross

Ross, you are the man. I always appreciate your perspective, and your collection is superb. Of course we share similar tastes. Great post my friend.

-Don

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An ever changing collection.....

I found some comparison pics with a SA here - http://www.watchfreeks.com/view_topic.p ... orum_id=23

These were originally posted by "TVDinner" over at watchfreeks.com. Hope it's OK to link them here? If not, I will edit.

It's an absolutely stunning looking watch! If it were 43-44mm I'd have one ordered by now! I really hope they put this movement in a more standard sized case.

That thing is massive! From some angles it looks larger than the SA! That totally writes it off for me as I've seriously gone off my SA over recent months. Hopefully that movement will make it into a Navi World type of case at some point.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

So, I was right, my B01 IS tiny compared to the GMT. It was not just an impression.

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

That is one big puppy.. I can pull it off, but I have not seen one in the flesh yet. Personally, I think 45mm would have been perfect, but that's me. Plus, I haven't seen the price yet and that may be utterly shocking..

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An ever changing collection.....

Wow that thing is big , maybe if it were brushed I'd like it better but with it being that big and polished it just doesn't work for me.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Pics are stunning to me. Old fashion bezel and I'd go shop one today.