The Breitling Watch Source Forums

There's been talk in several other threads recently expressing dissatisfaction with the current direction of Breitling models. I have to admit that aside from the Transoceans and Navitimers there aren't a lot that I really like. The Navitimers are classic and great looking, unfortunately I don't like the way they look on my wrist. The Superocean line looks good but I'm not into dive watches. So for me, that leaves the Transocean.

This has got me thinking, what could Breitling bring out that would get me really excited? I think what I'd really like to see is a modern version of the 1940s 765. Let's say 42 or 43mm, black dial with arabic hour markers (with as little obstruction of the numbers as possible), hashes for seconds around the perimeter (instead of a tachymeter), 01 movement, custom brown leather strap. Basically, a Breitling version of the classic Pilot style watch. I'd sell a kidney for that watch.

I'm sure there are a lot of other thoughts out there, so what model would you like to see from Breitling?

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

Mine would be a Chrono Avenger Rattrapante with the display back but 48mm, stainless steel, with batons and an applied logo! EDIT: with in house movement

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David, why don't you try to go with the original instead of some "hommage re-issue" ?

in most cases Breitling lets Hank the Cod decide on the final design and we end up with
questionable pieces like the new TO Unitime; there are exceptions, the Navi 01 and the TOC
are beautiful, but my Navi 01 gets a lot less wrist time than my vintage pieces, I have not worn
my Legende in ages - the original 38mm vintage chronos do look great on the wrist - look at
the success of the JLC Deep Seas, they stick to the original sizes and the market loves them.

A classically styled Navitimer in the 45mm to 46mm range with an in-house movement.

An in-house Navi World would be all the Breitling I'd ever need. And annoyingly they have the case and the movement to make it happen already!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

My Navi 01 LE, the TOC 01 LE and the one I call "The King" - the Chronomat B01 LE come pretty darn close.
Love all three of them but the dream Breitling for me must be the one that in the first place caught my attention and drew my awareness of Breitling watches about 15 years or so ago.
I finally got one 2 weeks ago and I have no answer to why it took me 15 years to get one.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Fred - I've been looking at vintage Breitlings and I really like some of them. As for size, maybe I need to try a couple on. I only know that when I bought my TOC the first watch I tried on was a 40mm Speedmaster and I thought it looked too small, despite my undersized wrists.

The bigger problem I have with vintage is that when I look at a piece, I find myself thinking how great it would look if it was fully refinished and polished like new. I realize that this is a sacrilege and am not sure that I could actually do it since it would offend so many people who hold these things dear. But I'm partial to the "like new" look.

I guess if you have a really pristine 765 that you're looking to unload, we should talk.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

sadly these days i have none. it use to be the b4b line for me but not so much anymore. i still have a chronomat that i love and it screams

Sadly I've already owned my favorite Lings. B-2 and the Hercules. I guess the Navi World with a steel bracelet would be a real treat to own as a dress-watch though. I loved my Navi 50:th anniversary but that would've been too small now.

The point of the exercise (well, there really isn't a point but you know what I mean) is that you get to be a Breitling designer and create the Breitling of your dreams. The sky's the limit, the world is your oyster...

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

I have to lazy eyes and they both are staring at the ceiling. I'll return!

I'll go for an in house DB ratty with a multi-day power reserve, an alarm, a composite case and bezel and a silicon escapement.

Well you said I could dream.......

If my in-house Navi World can't be realised.............

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I think that watch exists. It's called Patek Philippe.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

Lots of things I would suggest for different purposes but since you are pulling out the soapbox--make a gmt for actual traveling. What I mean is that a big wide thick brick on my wrist just begs to get banged around in tighter quarters like airplane aisles and taxi doors when you are carrying a briefcase or two. Get rid of the cartoonish sized neon arrow hand and use either a subregister with separate hour/minte hands or what was a very elegant option with the longitude--a slightly colorized hour hand you could hide behind the main hour hand when you don't need it. One last addition, since the winder is back home, is a power reserve indicator. Top this out at maybe 42mm and on a thinner chassis, maybe 13 mm, traditional bezel font, thank you with no boxes, lines, globes, filigree on the dial, just lumed markers or numbers and I might even consider buying it new.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

...and I forgot, brushed option and/or brushed/stainless.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless