The Breitling Watch Source Forums

That's very nice with the big date, Pm me when your ready to move the blue dial!

Now that is how you do a square on a dial... Classy

_________________
--
sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic

I feel like popping some bubbles and celebrating this!

Not quite sure what you'd be celebrating, the further demise of a proud brand? These "supposed" changes are further proof of why Breitling will never achieve the rolex status. Its inconsistency (if true) is a real shame...

_________________
ROLEX Sea-Dweller (116600)
ROLEX Submariner (116610LV)
HAMILTON Stanley c. 1932 (19 jewels/grade 401 movement)

Unless it's a return to Breitling's design roots.

Rolex is Apple in terms of staying the course, so any comparison to Rolex is simply unfair. (Shoot, in 2009/2010 Breitling had 20 watches I coveted, which is quite remarkable. Rolex had just two.) Breitling may just be emerging from its "New Coke" era. What many of us hope is that the hints Breitling has been dropping -- the new Avenger II with updating but true to roots styling, same with the new Seawolf and Seawolf GMT, the promised redesign of the horrible (just my opinion, no offense to those who like them) redesign of the Colt and Superocean lines, and now the end of the bezel fiasco signals a return to "Old Coke" with a slightly updated can. (I pointed out to the insider I was talking to today a long line of rubber bezel watches in the display and this person shook his/her head and muttered, "Murderer's row." The insider lamented for the first time his/her problem with the Chronomat bezels too: "You have an expensive watch with an in house movement and a beautifully done dial with perhaps Roman numerals and it looks stupid next to that bezel font." Until today, he/she had defended to the death the newer bezel)

I'm not counting on being overwhelmed, but remain "quietly optimistic" until given reason to believe otherwise.

_________________
SHARKMAN

You're a Canadian by dual citizenship and a Brit by heart - of course you like strapping a dart board to your wrist.

But I do agree, the cushion center dial on a chronograph makes busy look plain.

_________________
SHARKMAN

That bodes very well!

_________________
Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

The implication there is that 'Rolex status' is something to aspire to. Perhaps for the company - market domination, almost guaranteed sales, etc. For collectors I don't think that many Breitling fans want Breitling to be Rolex, I certainly don't. However, I also want to see true "instruments for professionals", the Buck Rogers bezel has become the poster child for moving away from that but it's things like DLC gone mad, rubber on everything, dive watches that fail to meet the ISO standard for dive watches, etc.

Far from being inconsistent, if this a sign of a return to modern Breitling's roots then that seems to acknowledge the importance of an evolutionary approach and the maintenance of consistent themes and a rejection of the last few years when that approach was abandoned - Tom's new Coke analogy would appear to be apt in that regard.

I guess we'll just have to see what is announced in a couple of weeks.

Agreed. If this pans out as well as I hope it will, the Galactic font may just be seen a wobble in an otherwise much more consistent design history. It may end up being nothing more than a "speedbump" in the recent history of the brand : kind of like the Bangle era in BMW design, or the Defy era in Zenith's history.

I know I shouldn't get excited... I really KNOW I shouldn't.... but this Baselworld could be a great one for Breitling. A possible in-house Navi World, and a change back to a less polarising bezel/font on the Chronomats..... what's not to like!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

about time- maybe they will start discounting the buck rogers bezels to get them off the shelf lol

_________________
2011 SKYLAND AVENGER
2011 AVENGER CODE YELLOW
2010 STEELFISH

As usual, and not sure if this bodes well for my sanity , the Driver who flys the Jolly Rodger has summarized my thoughts beautifully. I likely need to up my medication. Although I liked the Zenith Defy Classic.
Fortunately I do not think becoming anything like Rolex is desireable, so maybe just a small increase in dose.
An in-house Navi world plus an in-house chronomat that does not make me look for the deep space communicator button is going to be VERY bad for my wallet. Likely very good for Govberg.

_________________
Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

I agree with the view that no Breitling fan will want Breitling to to be like Rolex. It has it's own charisma that we don't find in other brands.

Well I would say that most consumers prefer consistency in design. A model 50 years ago should appear like the latest model to any untrained eye. Breitling has done face lifts from time to time. IMO they do maintain their "DNA" in all their pieces, such that a Chronomat is still recognizable a Chronomat whether the old Evo or the current 44. But just that the visual changes are more obvious.

IMO I don't see why an "instrument for professionals" cannot use DLCs, rubber inserts, Buck Rogers fonts etc..in their lineups. Where black DLCs make the watches more tactical, rubber inserts make the numerals on the bezels more legible, Buck Rogers fonts also don't affect the legibility in anyway...Breitling did make their watches more functional for professionals in their work. However the problem comes when they are offer the same thing to the public. General consumers do not want to spend a premium on a watch that they don't like asethetically, they don't like coatings that can wear off overtime, they want something that will look as good as new no matter how long they keep, even after they pass their watches down to their descendants, that narrows down the choices. My question is whether Breitling wants to make watches for professionals, or they wanna make watches for the mass. Making watches for professionals is to make them functional and practical for their work, making watches for the mass requires more. Professionals today don't really rely their watches for information anyway, or they can always wear a G-Shock, which will be as functional. Naturally Breitling understands the need for mass appeal instead of just focusing on a niche market.

I personally do agree with you, Saoirse32. It's very sad. But I have come to accept it. Aesthetics are very subjective, and Breitling chooses to go with what the majority likes. My personal opinion is that the current Chronomat 01 is the best watch ever made(IMO). Of course majority don't think that way. My only comfort is that I will eventually own a watch that fewer people have.

Frankly speaking, a model so important to Breitling that they decided as the first piece to house their in-house movement. 5 years(as they claimed)...First Piece....a historic piece.... They must have spent a considerable amount of time to design this first piece. Something that will perfectly balance functionality and aesthetics, something that will contain all their essence, culture and heritage. Exceptional attention to details and lots of subtle elements. And it's not just one person but a team of designers, who worked and reworked every detail until they hit all the right notes, and very importantly, the approval and acknowledgement from all the highest management up there, before they launch it to the public. It must have been a piece that they have never been more proud of. Now in just 5 years should they discontinue it with a new facelift, well....To facelift a model to mark the transition from an outsource to in-house is understandable. But to discontinue and facelift a piece that is supposedly their most epic piece ever is an acknowledgement that the entire company is a failure, especially when it's just 5 years. Whether like or dislike the model is one thing. Branding wise it's hurtful IMHO.

Even if the new model is converted back to the old style, I don't really think that will really turn the situation around, maybe sales will pick up a bit. But even with their in-houses, it will be hard for them to even get close to the same level of success as Rolex, let alone surpass, because consumers are convinced that Breitling pieces will keep making aesthetic changes to their pieces, which they don't like. Sure...their back to old school designs might be well liked...But to like until consumers want to buy them is another matter. As mentioned, to pay a premium for a watch, general consumers expects more than just aesthetics appeal. For me, I am excited to see what Breitling has to offer for the upcoming Basel. The best is if they can offer a new Chronomat for the old school lovers, without discontinuing the current line. If they do, well.....life goes on.... not that I will not like the new model, but I prefer more "consistent brands". I will be looking at PAMs and even save up for PPs. For Breitling, I will still love the brand but I will convert from a "buyer" to a "spectator".

_________________
Breitling Chronomat 01 Limited Edition
Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm

That is a well written and balanced piece. I have to agree with a lot of your comments, but that may be an age thing as I agree the current Chronomat is a beautiful watch.

_________________
Emergency sqtz x2,Co-Pilot Module, UTCx2,Mission
Skyracer, Airwolf
Aerospace (96-00)
Superocean 42 x2
Chrono Cockpit x4
Chronoracer Rattrapante
Chrono Colt Qtz, Transocean x2
Chronomat B01,GMT,Evolution,Blackbird BS,GMT L/E
Avenger M1,Seawolf BS

Subjectively, it is a beautiful watch. I hope nothing I have written would be taken other than my personal preference. Beauty is in the eye...

I strongly prefer the older bezels but my strong opinion is just that - an opinion

_________________
SHARKMAN