The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello everyone,

I have been looking into purchasing a Breitling B01 Chronomat. I think the dial is absolutely gorgeous and I have been eying up the black with the white subdials and also the blue with the white subdials. I have a few questions that I'm hoping some of you may be able to answer. (I usually purchase Rolex watches, I have only ever owned a Breitling superocean 42 and loved it!).

1.) I noticed there are 41mm and 44mm versions available. I'm not sure which one I'm going to choose but I need some help. I noticed the 41mm version is actually more expensive on the secondary market. I was wondering if anyone can tell me why? I actually much prefer the blue with white subdials, but not sure about size.

2.) I see there are some versions that have a satin finished bezel and case lugs. Is this just a different finishing option you can choose?

3.) Is the blue dial 44mm Chronomat B01 discontinued? I went to Breitling's web site and noticed when I search through the different dial variations, the blue with the white subdials is not there.

4.) The reason I asked how long ago the blue dial version was discontinued is because I heard of some problems with the B01 when it was first released, so because of this I'd like to stay away from earlier 2010,2011,2012 models (if that's even possible) if it still even matters.

5.) Lastly I'd LOVE some wrist pictures of these colors or comparison photos of the 41mm and the 44mm if anyone has them or knows a link to them!

Thank you in advance for all your help! Attached are the 44mm blue dial and the 41mm black dial.

1) the 41 mm came later than the 44 mm so probably the watch is younger and therefore more expensive. Also, in Europe, the 41 mm isn't a big seller TBH. I sell the 44 pretty easy but my clients think the 41 mm is to small to be a Breitling. TBH, I think I only sold one or two pieces in 41 mm since it came out. Says a lot. So maybe there aren't a lot of 41 mm on the second hand market, therefore the price is higher IMO.

2) Indeed, there are several options you can choose. You can opt for a mat bezel of a polished one. The one which has a full mat case is probably the Flying Fish (except for the sides of the case which are polished)

3) the Metallica Blue dial is only available in 44, not in 41!

Good luck!

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Thank you very much for your response. I guess that is why the 41mm is a bit more pricey than the 44mm version.

1) Yes. The 41mm was launched later so as that's why the price is higher. If yr wrist is able to carry off a 44mm, 44mm will be a better choice IMO because I prefer the details on the dial as compared to a 41mm. Both look almost the same but if you zoom into the details, they have 2 minor differences.

The centre square on the dials are portrayed differently, which I personally prefer the 44mm one. The other difference is the hour markers. The 41mm has the lume applied on the whole of each hour marker except the circumference whereas for the 44mm only the the end part is applied on each. As the hour markers are very nicely polished, I prefer the 44mm one because it reveals more on the metallic portion giving them a very defined and high look. It also looks nicer in the dark. However it should be noted that the 41mm will allow better legibility in the dark with more lume. At the end of the day, put on both to see which will look nicer on yr wrist.

2)Yes. Rightfully only the Flying Fish and some LEs has satin finish. It all depends on yr preferred dial combination and finish. However I believe if you walk into any ADs you can still find regular versions with brushed bezels. I think Breitling wants to create multiple combos to suit different tastes.

3)I don't think they have ever discontinued any versions on the regular range. In the Breitling website, select "My Breitling Made To Measure" and you will find the dial combo you want. You are able to custom make your own desired Chronomat with the many choices there.

4)I don't think you can identify the year of manufacture on the Chronomats just by looking at them from the display window, except the Flying Fish and the LEs where you will know when they were launched. However I don't think it's an issue with the 5 years warranty. Getting a recently manufactured piece doesn't guarantee that it will be free of problems either. That's what the warranty is for. I did send it for servicing a mth after I bought it because it was losing 10 sec a day. It have been running perfectly more than a year ever since I got it back. So go ahead and utilize your warranty if the need be.

5)Here's my Chronomat 01 LE with the brushed finish.

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Breitling Chronomat 01 Limited Edition
Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm

I really prefer the satin finish compared to the polished. It really tones the watch down. Here is my limited edition that my AD had made.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

Justin, how are you? This one is really nice! Is that 44mm?

I've tried both onto my 6.75" wrist and the 44 is way to disproportionately too large while the 41 is a no-nonsense average chronograph size, able to accompany anywhere from the beach to the opera house. The nighttime visibility is also superior due to the larger lume areas on the hour markers. The square is nicer on the 44 though but you can never have everything...
I think that the Chronomat 41 is the only watch now on the market to be a true competitor of the Daytona:
similar size with similar, classic case design, better nighttime visibility and waterresistance, turning 60-min. bezel, date feature, manufacture movement. For the Daytona speak today only the "better image" and the better escapement (balance wheel with screws, free hairspring from non-magnetic material, balance bridge).
As soon as the week-day feature will appear on the 41 I'll buy one - blackeye-blue dial for me

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Chronomat 41 BEB, Steelfish Chrono BEB, 2x Grand Premier, Chrono Cockpit 39 mm, Aerospace Avantage 79362
IWC 3706, 3705, 376706, 371928
Sinn 103 plexy
For sale: Sinn 356 II, Porsche Design Titan Chrono Valjoux
Wanted: Breitling Blackbird 13353 on bracelet

It is 44mm however it doesn't get much wrist time since I've let my brother borrow it and I don't think he plans to give it back anytime soon.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

I hope you get it back

They wear pretty well IMO. My wrist isn't huge but even the 47mm gmt looked great. The 44m is a fantastic modern size that I'd suggest checking out before a 41.

Love the 44 LE and I have no problem with it on my 6.75" wrist.

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Here is my 41 LE on my 6.5" wrist. I think it's the perfect size my wrist.
And it with my Tag Aquaracer 300M which is the same size case.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I do have an OG chronomat which is like that 39-41mm size and I think it's a great size for long sleeves and formal occasions. These are two great sizes, glad they offer the Chronomat in both.