The Breitling Watch Source Forums

That's sad and ignorant from Breitling.

I hadn't thought about it this way before, but sadly I think you're right.

Looking at some of the other Breitling photos from Basel, it has just struck me that I don't particularly like any of them. Certainly there is nothing that has really grabbed me, or that I thought represented a big improvement.

My most recently purchased watch is not a Breitling (in fact I sold one to buy it), the next one was going to be a Breitling but I'm a little less sure about that now. (What happens now, do I get banned? )

I voted "awful" only because I think they totally missed the mark on the bezel. I can live with the dial changes, even the square thingie, while odd, is not a deal breaker, but those damn numbers on the bezel and the lack of numbers on the rider tabs is unforgivable IMHO. Just like the stenciled numbers on the AS, I just can't get my head around them.

Too bad, it could have been a nice watch with a more traditional (for Breitling) bezel.

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I don't like it at all... it looks like a weird mix match. Why does the bezel look like it comes off a Tissot or something? I hate the how the dial gives off that square look...... it just turns me off!

Gents, I've observed this forum for months (ten-ish). Enjoyed the banter. Used the well of informtion to aid my purchase decision. I know many of you by handle and habit. I coveted what you prize for years before joining your ranks last fall. Although no diamonds encrust it, and no extra wheels turn on it's face I LOVE wearing my new blue faced Super Ocean every minute of every day. Others see it and are oblivious, but I know, I know about the fine perpetual motion instrument silently doing it's job on my wrist every day.

So.......I waited with you all for Basel to happen. Then there it was. I saw it. I loved it. I had to have it. The B01 Chronomat.........and ......then........I almost let you talk me out of it. I read the words of all of you that I had read for half a year, many of whose opinions I have come to admire and respect.

At the end of the day, I went back to some advice my father gve me.....your first impression is usually right (and drink the wine you like). The new Chronomat B01 is not a Tag'. I declare it a Breitling. I hope I can have one some day.

I vote "can't wait". This will be my second 'ling.


Thanks Men

Seattle,
I enjoyed your first post and welcome (even though you have been here for months). Way to stick to your guns, I like that. I can't wait to see some wrist shots of your b01!

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Current collection: Breitling Superocean Heritage I 46, Rolex Submariner, Swatch X ****** Sistem51

Welcome. If its any consolation, it seems to be getting rave reviews at every other forum I go to.

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-RJ

Seattle, I think your father's advice is sound. If something jumps out at you like that, that's probably because it's right for you. Works with things besides watches (like art) too. If you love it then there's no need to listen to us . All the best with it, and welcome by the way.

Roff: My point wasn´t that its ok to overlook the existing buyers. I wrote somewhere here earlier that Breitling should´ve introduced the B01 in something more identifiably Breitling too. Unfortunetaly we are a minority and a dicreasing group at that. So they really need to atract new blood to make the brand stronger. That´s a good thing. It´s probably much less of "old" against masses of "new" buyers. Still not ok to overlook this fine group!

Seatle: Refreshing point which actually I felt too. How many others liked it first and then got influenced by all this??? If here it´s thought to be not Breitling-y enough, that shouldn´t put anyone of if they liked it. Like RJ said everywhere else the Chronomat B01 recieves a lot of love and other brands enthusiasts are taking notice. All in all might be the best thing ever for Breitling.

Funny they call it a Chronomat, as it has almost no design features shared with the previous one??? Marketing wise it shows they´re serious, but still...

Welcome aboard Seattle! As the other guys have said, watches are very personal things, so if this new Chronomat yanks your chain, then go for it! We can't all like the same things or else the world would be a boring place.

I think a lot of the negativity on here about this model is due to the fact that a lot of us have been into Breitling for years (decades in some cases) and as a result we identify with the more traditional Breitling "look" a bit more. This new one doesn't seem to keep those iconic elements that make it a classic Breitling in many of our eyes.

But yes, it IS still a Breitling and I'm sure a few of us will come round to it over time. But either way, if you like it, then that's all that should matter to you. The rest of us are just grumpy old men!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

You know to appeal to ALL OF US, they should at least offer a standard EVO type bezel as an option, even if the tabs are the new style. I mean to say that if I could get it with the hash marks between the tabs bezel and without the Buck Rogers font, I would be ordering a blue and black dialed one today.

...frustrated in my "brand"...

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

stunning!

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Chrono Colt II - White Dial Blue Subs
SuperOcean Heritage

It is refreshing to read posts like Seattle's (welcome aboard!!)

I am really happy that the watch attracts fans, and I can easily see how it will attract people who have never had a Breitling 'speak' to them before.

I am a traditionalist, I am old fashioned, and I'm never going to be at the leading edge of design, I'm just slightly disappointed that as Breitling 'celebrates' 125 years of history and 40 years since the first automatic chronograph (so where is a left hand crown Chronomatic?????) they choose to turn their back on history.

It may be good enough for Breitling, but it's too much for me, so let me just say..........

Happy 67th birthday Chronomat - you may not have aged too well (in my opinion), but sometimes you look just as good as the day you were born:

You see I love how Rolex handled the Submariner update. Most here are not Rolex people so they might not get it, but for fans of the original Submariner this is either a welcome update or a tolerable change. Now imagine if Breitling applied the same formula to the Chronomat: Add 1MM to size, keep the bezel design over all but use a modern material, slightely change case design to meet modern standards, and you would have what I see in my head as a great Chronomat.

Now the rest are being well recieved over at Rolex forums. Which makes sence as they are loyal to their followers, unlike Breitlimg (trying to become a high end Tag) who is simply after a different market as I see it.

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Certified watch nut.

I just cant see that thing growing on me, it has too many elements that I now know I do not like, and very few that I do. I have eaten my words a few times, I went from despising Panerai to coveting them, from coompletely ignoring the IWC bracelet to feverishly searching for one, but this is stricly in the Rado and LV territory, IE NEVER!




Welcome aboard Seattle, Very much enjoyed your first post.

My protests are not to discourage others from buying anything, simply stating my opinion on what Breitling is doing (changing their style) to attract new watch folk (you?) at the expense of old fans (Hello). Beuity is in the eye of the beholder as they say, and is a very personal and subjective thing. It is great you found a watch that you like, and I am sure it will give you much joy once you have it in your hands

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Certified watch nut.