The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Per OP, the new Chronospace Auto. dial with arabics is right up my alley. Like the look! Unfortunately at 46mm, probably still a little big .

I still like the Colt also. Have an opening for a blue dial dive watch (simple all around wearer) and mulling my options through the Basel releases, not much floating my boat so far. Although, keeping an eye on Ball Ceramic XV, Ball NEDU (chrono diver), and Ball Trainmaster WT chrono (not a diver).

Time is running out.

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

I'm all "negatived out" so will limit my post real pics review to something positive (thus nothing here about some of those....um....super-colorful Bentleys. Ah-hem!). IS that a 42mm SOHC I see??? That would interest me. If so, ok that's two I would definitely buy. There a a few more I am impressed with. But two real buyers.


Edit - Dang, 44mm. Back to one.

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SHARKMAN

Kodiak,

How do you feel about the finish on the Ball watches? I have look at several of them, but never have seen one in the flesh.

sharkman,

41mm Chronomat 01 does nothing for you?

I've seen Ball in the steel. They're nice, but ultimately found them to be a little plain. Finish was fine, but nothing super special. They didn't have quite the "wow" factor that I feel when I see a really good, high-end watch. It mas more along the lines of what I feel looking at TAGs, although perhaps a little better than that. To be fair, I probably need to look at them again, but I went right from Ball to Panerai (they were in the same AD), and that was enough to tell me which brand I prefer.

Trying to be more positive, like Sharkie, in looking over the pics Justin linked to, I was struck by just how much I like the TO. I still prefer the basic TOC to the newer, more complicated models, and of course I'm still waiting for a bracelet option for the line, but I think it's a great line, and shows real promise for the brand. Both the Navi and TO lines are real classics, and I would have no problem seeing Breitling heading further in that direction. They are both in striking contrast to the other lines, which to me look pretty overblown and garish in comparison, especially the Chronomats. In fact, I'm pretty confident that if the standard TOC were offered on a proper bracelet, it would be the current Breitling I would most want to own, even in preference to some older favorites.

Regarding the Chronomat 41, I have two problems with it. One, it's not offered with a brushed bezel. Two, that darn corner on the square by the date. In the link Justin provided, you can really see it clearly in comparison with the 44 dial, and I prefer the symmetry of the 44. If they had made it exactly the same as the 44, but smaller, that would have been a good thing. And if they put out a Flying Fish 41 on Pilot, that would be pretty nice, too.

Fair play Jackson.

I don't mind the asymetrical design on the dial of the 41 at all. I feel it adds a little something that distinguishes it from the rest. I also like that it is perpendicular to the date window, which would look stupid and out of balance otherwise, so I like it. Again, just my opinion.

Just noticed the new Chronospace Auto was on a proper bracelet. According to Breitling's website, it's a Professional III. Is this something new, or have I been under a rock? How does the Pro III differ from the Pro II?

It's new, and no idea.

It looks like a broader link bracelet...almost a little Rolex like. Interesting but I'm not passing judgment until I see it in person.

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Collection is changing too quickly to keep up on...

I have looked at them several times at an AD close to me. You have to like tritium I guess but the finish looked to be fairly nice. They have some unique crown designs, good or bad I don't know. In the past the dial designs I liked (spacemaster) had thick cases which is a no-no for me. But just recently they came out with the EHC Ceramic XV which at 42mm, is 13.25mm thick. Also, they brush a lot of their sport designs so a big plus for me. Overall, I really have no problem with finish quality and they tend to curve the lugs downward on many models which help with fit on smaller wrists. I wouldn't be afraid to spend the $ to give one a try - they are quite reasonable (COSC cert.) with the direction of prices these days. I have the Ceramic XV coming in soon on rubber to take a look.

(p.s. - their new Trainmaster World time chrono is quite interesting, great size too, 42mm/13.6mm thick)

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Kodak, no as I said above in this post, I like the 41mm Chronomat. But I was looking at this years models. I'm already planning to try on a Chronomat 44 on leather the next visit to the AD to see if it is too long since the 44GMT is the same case. They increased the case length when they made the B01 Chronomat and it is too big for me on bracelet. Never tried it on a strap.


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SHARKMAN

Yes the Pro III has narrower outside links rather than three equal width links. Otherwise it is the same as the Pro II. It was on the integrated Colt GMT, I think.


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SHARKMAN

im sorry when i read this for some reason i could only picture this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCRuqpcIIhY

Go to bed Adrian.

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SHARKMAN

Shark, to go back a couple of posts, I was essentially referring to the Tags as beeing rather generic. Yes, they have that McQueen Sqary thing, but aside from that, no identity at all... Or well a linked bracelet... big deal.

The problem is, Breitling is spreading its range a bit... For whatever reason, be it price, size or other, and is loosing the signature "Breitling" style. The Chronomat, like it or not (I don't), is unmistakably a 'Ling, the Galactic is a three handed Chronomat and therefore the same applies. The Avenger is equally unmistakably a 'Ling, and so are TOs, the Navis and some of the Pro models. The problem is all the clutter around them which is a bit half hearted it seems. Go big and strong or don't go. I have no problem with new product lines, so long as they make sense and can become emblems of the brand. There was potential in the Superoceans to become such a line, but the new models have by no means made use of it.

I think diluting brands to sell mass is an idiocy. Yes, you can do that if you want to cash in on a brand that has proper worth and standing, not unlike Breitling. But it is short sighted, self serving and a bit arrogant. It slowly kills the image of the brand by making it overly commercial and what you end up with is sale points in department stores, a mobile phone and some sunglasses, not unlike a brand mentioned in the above.

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Cheers from Switzerland,

Fred

Shark, to go back a couple of posts, I was essentially referring to the Tags as beeing rather generic. Yes, they have that McQueen Sqary thing, but aside from that, no identity at all... Or well a linked bracelet... big deal. TO GO BACK A YEAR, YOU WILL SEE SEVERAL POSTS I STARTED, BLASTING WHAT BREITLING DID TO THE SO LINE, EVEN ONE WHERE I GAVE AWAY A HAT FOR THE BEST LETTER TO BREITLING AFTER THE 2011 RELEASES.

The problem is, Breitling is spreading its range a bit... For whatever reason, be it price, size or other, and is loosing the signature "Breitling" style. WE DON’T DISAGREE, BUT THIS IS A 2010 FORWARD ISSUE. The Chronomat, like it or not (I don't), is unmistakably a 'Ling, the Galactic is a three handed Chronomat and therefore the same applies. ONLY TO THE EXTENT SLAPPING AN UGLY BEZEL ON A COCKPIT CASE MAKES IT A CHRONOMAT WHICH I DO NOT AGREE WITH. A COCKPIT WAS NOT A CHRONOMAT JUST BECAUSE THEY SHARED SIMILAR BEZELS. THE COCKPIT HAS INDEPENDENT HISTORY GOING BACK SOME TIME AND EVOLVING THROUGH OTHER MODELS. The Avenger is equally unmistakably a 'Ling, and so are TOs, the Navis and some of the Pro models. The problem is all the clutter around them which is a bit half hearted it seems. Go big and strong or don't go. I have no problem with new product lines, so long as they make sense and can become emblems of the brand. There was potential in the Superoceans to become such a line, I DON’T THINK THE ISSUE WAS “POTENTIAL” THEY WERE ALREADY THERE WITH THE SO PRO, CSO, AND STEELFISH. but the new models have by no means made use of it. MY POINT AND COMPLAINT FOR A YEAR HERE. BUT I DON’T WANT TO SEE THE SMALLER MODELS JUST DISAPPEAR. I’D RATHER GIVE BREITLING A CHANCE TO GROW OUT OF THEIR CRAZY PHASE. I’M CONVINCED THE NEXT STEP WILL BE CERAMICS AND A NEW 3 HAND IN-HOUSE. THEY HAVE NO CHOICE – (1) THE “RUBBER BEZEL LINE” IS NOT SELLING. MY AD COMPLAINS ABOUT IT MOST EVERYTIME I’M THERE. (2) OMEGA HAS UPPED THE ANTE’ WITH USE OF NEW MATERIALS LIKE CERAMICS AND IT IS NOW ALL OVER THEIR PRODUCT LINE. (EVEN THE SPEEDY!!) (3) BREITLING WILL CHANGE AS WELL, IN MY ESTIMATION WITHIN THE NEXT 2-5 YEARS. ANY TIME A COMPANY MAKES A LARGE INVESTMENT IN MODELING THAT DOESN’T WORK, THE CORPORATE GROUP DYNAMICS GO INTO DENIAL MODE AND IT TAKE TIME FOR THAT TO BREAK, FOR THE GROUP TO UNCIRCLE THE WAGONS AS IT WERE. IT TAKES TIME FOR “WE ARE RIGHT, THEY ARE WRONG” TO GIVE WAY TO CHANGE.

I think diluting brands to sell mass is an idiocy. Yes, you can do that if you want to cash in on a brand that has proper worth and standing, not unlike Breitling. But it is short sighted, self serving and a bit arrogant. It slowly kills the image of the brand by making it overly commercial and what you end up with is sale points in department stores, a mobile phone and some sunglasses, not unlike a brand mentioned in the above. THIS ASSUMES BREITLING’S DESIGN CHANGES WERE TO SELL EN MASS RAHTER THAN CONTINUING THEIR CURRENT BASE SUPPORT AND BRINGING SOME NEW FOLKS INTO THE FOLD. I THINK IT IS THE LATTER. AND EVERYTHING I AM BEING TOLD IS THE NEW SO LINE IS KILLING THE ADs COMPARED TO THE SO PRO, CSO, AND STEELFISH. BREITLING WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO RESPOND TO IT. IT IS A SIMPLE…AND STUPID IMO…DESIGNING MISTAKE. THE PRIMARY IMPACT WILL BE FELT BY BREITLING’S POCKETBOOK, NOT IN LOSS OF BRAND IDENTITY. AND IT IS SAFE TO SAY, WE WILL NOT SEE BREITLINGS IN MACYS DISPLAY COUNTERS. IF ANYTHING BREITLING WILL CONTINUE TO REDUCE, RESTRICT, AND CONSOLODATE THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AS THEY HAVE BEEN AND AS THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY IS DOING.

I HAVE BEEN AS VOCAL IN MY COMPLAINTS AS ANYONE HERE SINCE MARCH OF 2011. BUT I FEEL CONFIDENT IN TWO THINGS – (1) THE MODELS WE CAN’T UNDERSTAND AND DON’T LIKE AND SEE AS AN INEXLICABLE DEPARTURE DO NOT EQUATE TO THE SKY FALLING. THAT IS OVERLY DRAMATIC. (2) THE MAYANS WERE WRONG, WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS POST, BUT IS THE OTHER THING ABOUT WHICH I REMAIN QUIETLY OPTIMISSTIC.

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SHARKMAN