The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi Guys,

I went to see today a 2nd hand Breitling Chronomat 44mm.
The dealer (trusted one) told me that this is a cheeper version than the one in bretling WEB site since it does not use the B01 movment but instead it is an ETA movement that comes with Breitling original certificates and it is 100% authentic.

Is that make sense ? He told me that ETA are (or were) doing most of the mechanics for many brands including IWC.
Can someone explain that thing a bit more ?
Should I pay (less) for a golden Chronomat with ETA movment ?

Many thanks,
Amit

Search will really help you here, as will Google, anything short of a multi-page response is going to generate more questions, but in (very quick) summary.

ETA produce generic movements used by many manufacturers with or without modification. Until 2009 all modern Breitling pieces used modified ETA movements. In 2009 Breitling introduced in house movements - designed and (largely) built by them and introduced them to some watches. The in house movements are the one with the 'B' prefix B01 for example.

In house costs more to buy and more to maintain but is also worth more if you sell. Price is driven by exclusivity and cost of developing in house.

Having had both a Chronomat B01 and Chronomat Evolution (with the ETA) movement, practically speaking there isn't a difference in use, but I find more pleasure in having the B01 with the unique in house movement

Thanks you guys.
I was not aware about that.
So given what you said - Does it mean that the watch I saw is before 2009 ? I was told it is 1Y old.
Does it make sense ?

Thanks,
Amit

Also form a quick look I do see that the "Evolution" is no 500M water resist as the B01 version.
Don't they share the same case (which is the one that determine the water resist)?

It doesn't mean the watch is from before 2009, as I said only some watches got the in house movement post 2009.

When was the last Chronomat EVO produced ? (before it was replaced with the B01)
Thanks,
Amit

Again, search will help, as will a review of the rest of the site.

The Evo (carrying that moniker) was not replaced by the B01, it was discontinued in 2007. There is an 'Evo like' model that has been produced consistently before and since the introduction of in house models. There is an entire section of the site dedicated to Chronomat models - http://www.breitlingsource.com/models/chronomat.html