The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Just curious to know which model got you guys into the brand, and what was the story behind it?

Back in circa 2005/6, I spotted a watch that I wanted instantly. The calibre 23 Navitimer. It was the watch that got me into Breitling. It wasn't until 2007 that I finally found one on eBay at a good price.

It was a Fighters Edition, no.7750 which was without b&p's and was for sale from a US watch seller. I snapped it up for the bargain price of £1300 gbp. It was in excellent condition but I had it completely overhauled by BUK, and it came back looking like new! I even sourced nearly all of the b&p's for it (except warranty card).



In 2009, during some bizarre mental episode I sold it in p/x to a well known UK watch dealer and I instantly regretted it. Then I had two 50th Anniv. Navi's, and two calibre 23 Navi's which I just didn't warm to. It wasn't until mid-2011 that I found another Serie Speciale (albeit not as good condition) to replace the first....phew!

So, what's your story?

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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

My first Breitling was a Chronomat that I bought used. I have no pictures of it, and I don't even know exactly how old it was, although it was the 1984 - 1996 version. I think I bought it around 1996-ish(?) before I traded it in for a Superocean around 1999 or so if I remember rightly.

Looking back I really wish I'd taken at least one picture of it, found out when it dated from a bit more accurately, generally looked after it a bit more, and I even wish I'd kept it (purely as it being my first Breitling)! However, back then, while I definitely was into watches (I've been into them in some shape or form since I was a kid), I certainly wasn't the WIS I am now. I was more in the "use and abuse" camp back then, so looking after my watches and learning all about them wasn't a high priority for me at the time. That aspect took off for me shortly after I picked up the SO, and has continued (got worse?) to this day.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Blackbird: in 2008
Chronomat: 2009
Navi World: 2010
Super A: 2011/12

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Past: BlackBird, Navi World, SA, Rolex DJII, IWC Yacht Club
Present: CE, DSSD
Future: Changes daily

Purchased 12/11 Co-Pilot Twotone rose gold w/bracelet .
Seen Breitlings but thought they were too big.
I check a website called WatchDoddy every day.
I saw this watch early AM and thought.'I like that!'
Thought about it alllll day...went back in the Pm and it was still there....
So, I bought it...It came from The Watchery and was the best price I've
seen on this watch...Even used going for more.

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"In the end there can be but one"

1992...Colt Automatic but bought the Old Navitimer instead a few years later...



Bill

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Breitling Old Navitimer

In 2004 I bought the white faced Crosswind

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Rolex Daytona Panda Dial 116509 40mm
Breitling Chronomat GMT Limited AB0412 47mm
Tag Heuer Link Chrono Auto CJF2110 42mm

I always liked the Navitimer World. At the end of last year I finally bought my first Breitling as I saw a deal on a Chronospace, and it's one of the cheaper Breitlings so I thought "Why Not"? A week later I decided I might as well get the Navi World too since it's really what I always wanted... now a total of 7 Breitling's later it has taken over as my favourite brand.

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Current:
Chronospace Silver, Black Ocean Racer
Navi World Silver, Aero Classic
Chronomatic 1461 Bronze, Bronze DP-1
SA White, Diamonds, Pro 2 Diamonds
SA Black, Bentley Rubber
Navi 1461 LE, Black DP-1
Chronomat GMT Silver, Pilot

I fell in love the first time I saw a Breitling in a watch dealer, it was a long time ago, just after the Chrono Avenger was released. And that watch was my dream watch for quite some time, but never even thought I would buy one, it was so out of my student's budget...
So I moved to Japan and then started the hunt for a Chrono Avenger again, but it was too late... It was already finished by Breitling. I searched ALL watch stores in the country and even some in the US, but couldn't succeed to find one.
Actually that was how I found this site, I remember someone that runs the site made a video about a fake Chrono Avenger...
Anyways, I was trying to convince myself to get a Chronomat Evolution, but when I saw the Skyland in metal for te first time, I was so impressed I had to get one. The Skyland was a surprise, much better in metal than in the pictures, where the CE was only as beautiful as on the pictures.
So the Avenger Skyland was my first Breitling and quickly realized one of the problems about that brand... Getting a Breitling piece only makes you want more... =b

1992-Jupiter pilot
1994-Chronomat twotone, UTC, roleaux bracelet
2002-Chronomat stainless, roleaux bracelet
2011-Chronomat evo, croc strap
2011-Super avenger blacksteel
2012-Chronomat B01, bracelet

Those are the Breitlings that have passed together with a bunch of other brands....

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Current collection:
Rolex Submariner 16610 X-series (stolen by wife)
Omega 18k vintage dresswatch
Record, 14k vintage pocket watch
Sinn 103 Ha Sa neo vintage
Suunto Core All Black
Breitling B01 ss on bracelet

What: B1 SQ
When: Last Week!
Why: I originally wanted a Chronomat Evo that I first tried on in Las Vegas last year, then a B01. However after reading many very interesting posts here on movements and the effort (or passion) associated with keeping an automatic watch, I decided that SQ was for me! So having missed out on the B1 Mr Willows was selling a few weeks ago, I sourced one and am very happy!

Legende in 2007. That was to be that....but I was haunted by the Blackbird.
Blackbird in 2008. That was definitely going to be the end....but the Motors T permeated my dreams incessantly.
Motors T later in 2008. I was horologically complete, rotationally balanced and at ease with my venture into the world of Breitling.....
Transocean Chrono late 2011.

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"Per Ardua Ad Lingi"

Ahhhh memories.

My 1st was a present for myself on my 40th Birthday. An gorgeous Black Dial B1. I added the UTC much later on!

D

I got my Navitimer World from Gobverg back in summer 2008. I'd post a picture of mine, but I'm afraid Damnfoolman would have to do it for me

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Collection
GMTIIc
Daytona
Nautilus 5711
Deep Sea D-Blue
Submariner Hulk
Tudor BB - FOR SALE
SOLD
Aerospace
Navitimer World
Bentley GT Racing
Cockpit
Navitimer 01 LE 788/2000

Two tone (white) Crosswind Special Limited Edition. Purchased after Thanksgiving in 2003 as a 30th birthday gift.

There have been 8 others since then. And if Breitling would *PLEASE* re-work the B01 bezel scheme there will be many more. Otherwise no guarantees.

2001 - Colt Ocean Automatic, bought in Aachen, Germany.
I have seen a couple of my friends with Breitlings back than and I loved the look but they seemed too big for my wrist at that time.
While on business in Aachen I saw the Colt Ocean Automatic in an AD window, tried it on, it looked perfect on my wrist and I fell in love with it right away.
I still have it to this day, it is currently undergoing a re-birth at Breitlig Taiwan service centre. 3 more weeks to go. I miss that little bugger. It's been a tough cookie surviving years of use and abuse.

Cheers,
Wessa

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"It is just a matter of time!"