The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Remember when Coca-Cola introduced New Coke and discontinued the old formula? There were a lot of Coke fans who hated the new stuff, and were angry about it. Their anger wasn't because they hated Coke altogether; it was because they felt they had lost something they really liked, while having something they didn't like foisted on them by an uncaring and wrongheaded company. The situation here is pretty similar: the so-called Breitling bashers are actually Breitling fans, which is to say fans of the way Breitling used to be. Insofar as we (the "bashers") don't like the direction Breitling has been going for the past few years, we're bothered by it, and speak out about it. But that doesn't mean people with differing points of view can't openly speak their opinions. If you like the current Breitling lineup, more power to you. Some people were vocal in their approval of New Coke, too. Granted, history has since proven these people were morons, but they had every right to say how they felt.

As for the reaction to the ad, I would draw a distinction between a fan and a fanboy. A true fan can still criticize a brand when it missteps, which includes making ridiculous claims in advertisements. Fanboys, on the other hand, would call a dog turd a masterpiece if was garnished with their favored brand's logo.

i am not offended by the ad. I'm curious to know more.so plp like me are true fans or fanboys?

Dude, seriously? I don't think this needs to be explained.

ok. This is getting personal. You are only capable of so much.

I liked New Coke.

Uhhh, I retract my previous comment.

Seriously, that was a very reasoned explanation of why some people feel so strongly about Breitling's current direction. I think it comes down to feeling almost betrayed. Personally, I don't see the ad in question as anything more than a bit of marketing bravado but I can see why others have less tolerance for it. I'm new to the brand so I don't have the same level of emotional, or financial, investment. Even so, I think they need to reevaluate their product direction. I hope that they add some less blingly options similar to the TOC and SOH to broaden the appeal.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

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

Im a breitling fan. They got me into nice watches, and they keep me looking at whats out there. Hell, ive basically stopped using every other watch forum but kept up here at BS. I absolutely loved just about the entire line from a few years back. There was no question in my mind that they were the brand for me. I hate most of the current line, and currently have a grand total of ZERO current models that I aspire to own.

Having said that, I stick with my comments about this ad. I think it accomplished what they set out to do, and I dont think its any different than any other company out there that makes these subjective claims.

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-RJ

There was no need for that. History has proven that majority preferred the old Coke, it does not mean that the ones who approved of the new Coke were morons.
Are you saying that the ones who like the new Breitling lineup are also morons? That's what it reads like.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

<sigh>

This thread started off about an ad for a movement. The movement that is used in the Navitimer 01 and Transocean Chrono - two great looking pieces in my opinion. It is also the movement used in the Chronomat 01, a hideous watch in my opinion.

I own an 01 movement, but I have a real issue with the ad - both the fundamental lack of truth in the statement and the way that the message is presented.

I am not a moron for thinking that, neither is anyone who disagrees with me automatically a moron for having an opposing view.

I refuse to edit my opinions because they may upset other members, what's the point of a forum if we do that, but I also don't think that it's necessary to get personal because people have different views - I thought that we were more tolerant than that. A small number of people here seem to delight in either demonstrating their ignorance, immaturity or intolerance on a frequent basis and I'm sick of it.

Why can't we just appreciate the fact that we can come here and discuss things, accepting that not everyone shares our views. Can we really do no better than name calling?

If Breitling put it in print then it MUST be true.

Right Tom?? You're a lawyer...help me out here. They can't print it if it isn't true..right???

Of course it is true

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Don't forget that you will probably have a 90% chance that your Breitling will need repair in the first 12 months. Just my experience...

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Rolex 42mm Explorer
IWC Ingenieur

A few others too.

I was a joking when I said that, since New Coke was basically seen as a marketing failure of epic proportions. I guess I took for granted that people here know I have a fairly sarcastic sense of humor, and also recognize I am not so dense or intolerant as to actually believe people are morons for having a preference for something. If individuals liked New Coke better, so what? I probably liked it, too. I was twelve at the time, and I honestly don't remember. But let me just reiterate: I do not actually think people are morons if they liked New Coke, and I do not think people are morons if they like the current Breitling lineup. It's just a matter of personal preference. (I can't believe I'm having to make that disclaimer, but OK.)


There was nothing personal there. I just figured that if you thought about it a little bit, you could probably figure out what I was saying, and didn't need me to explain it to you; but as with the New Coke reference, apparently I'm way off base. The tone of your earlier post expressed shock that people here actually have gripes about the brand, and seemed to challenge us, asking us if we're actually Breitling fans. Only a fanboy would think you cannot be critical of a brand and still be a fan of it. If you're not offended by the ad, that does not necessarily mean you're a fanboy. If you insist on believing it, despite reading the opinions of the knowledgeable people in this thread, then....

Edit: After re-reading our earlier exchange, I can see now that your question as to whether you're a "true fan" or a fanboy may have been genuine. When I read it last night, I thought you were being deliberately obtuse for the sake of yanking my chain. Assuming you were sincere, I apologize for my brusque response. If you really aren't clear on what a fanboy is, here is a useful Urban Dictionary definiton:

"An extreme fan or follower of a particular medium or concept....Known for a complete lack of objectivity in relation to their preferred focus. Usually argue with circular logic that they refuse to acknowledge. Arguments or debates with such are usually futile. Every flaw is spun into semi-virtues and everything else, blown to comedic, complimentary proportions."

Laughing with you Mark, not at you.

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SHARKMAN

This topic reminds me of playing Olympian Top Trumps with my son the other day. It didn't matter that I had many cards with multiple gold medal winners, he had all of the tallest Olympians so I lost on the least important criteria almost every time.

OK, all forgiven. We shall drop the class action lawsuit

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"It is just a matter of time!"