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Well, I picked up my brand new shiny B-1 last Saturday, but any of you who were following the "B-1 vs Airwolf" thread may have been expecting pictures before now. Well the reason for the delay is because.... basically........ I've been struggling to get on with it!

There's nothing wrong with the watch at all, but it's just not "doing it" for me. I don't know what it is but it's not giving me the buzz that a new Breitling should. As a test I took off the B-1, and put on my Steelfish straight on and I instantly got more of a buzz out of wearing that than I did the B-1. Tried it with my year old World and once again it was the same result.

So that kind of sealed it for me - the B-1 goes back! Fortunately the jeweller I bought it from (not my usual AD) does a 30 day exchange or refund, so I'll be heading off to see what else he has to exchange it for.

But before it goes, here are a couple of pics for all you B-1 fans. (Again, apologies for my photographic abilities!) -



And a wrist shot -

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Nice!

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

I don't think you have any photographic issues to apologize for - good pics!

So what will you be getting instead?

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Thanks for your kind words about my pics Aleister - I do appreciate it! But my pics are a million miles away from the quality of Ron's or one of two of the other guys on here!

Not sure what to get next actually. I'm amazed that the B-1 just didn't "feel" right to me. Very odd..... Anyway, firstly I want to get a bracelet for my Navi World so that I have the choice of croco or bracelet depending on my mood(!), but I may have another look at an Airwolf as I still fancy something from the Professional range. Other than that, I may go for a Skyland, or possibly push the boat out a little for a Montbrillant Legende. We shall see!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I am a little surprised that the B-1 didn't "speak to you" but I know that is the case with many other watches for me also. In contrast, the B-1 "did it" for me almost immediately. I almost feel sorry for my Navi's and Cosmo's cuz they don't get much wrist time at all since the B-1 with UTC seems to get more than its share. I know if I had gotten a black dial "World" the same thing would have happened. The smaller pieces would languish just as they do now. I do suspect that had you gotten a black dial B-1 instead of the grey, the results might have been different. I really love the way the digitals "disappear" on the black dial model. Do you think that might have been enough for the watch to "speak" to you? In any case, I like the idea of the SS Skyland on Pro II bracelet with black calf as an option. That watch SCREAMS Breitling. The crystal/dial combo is major league deep dish pizza beautiful. It is destined to be my next B also. I love the SS and was really pleased that Breitling intoduced the model. Titanium cases just don't do it for me but 316L SS certainly does. Hurry up and get over there, try it on, leave it on, pay for it, go home and begin taking pics for us.
Cheers,
Ron

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"The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea"...

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I know what you mean Ron - watches are funny things. You can drool for ages over a certain model and then when you get it, it just doesn't seem to "do it" for you. That's happened to me twice now - this B-1 and previously a few years ago with the M-1. (Maybe it's something to do with me and alpha-numeric names!! ). But then only both occasions I've been fortunate enough to get a full refund.

It may have been different if I'd got the black dial B-1 but I think it was more than just the dial for me. (And besides, the grey was all they had left in stock). No, I think I'll just put the B-1 down to experience and move on.

I'll definitely take a few pics of the B-1s replacement... whatever he may be!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I think I know why your new B-1 doesn't quite do it for you. It's the leather band. Try it on the steel bracelet, it really turns it into a traditional Breitling. Compared to other Breitlings, the B-1 actually is quite small, or it just seems that way when you wear it. It's not an over powering watch by any means, like some other Breitlings.

I had the same thoughts as you when my fighter bracelet was away being serviced and I was wearing the watch on a leather deployment band. While I thought it still looked good, it just didn't have the same feelling about it like with the steel bracelet.

Good luck with your decision.

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Breitling B-1 SQ
Omega Seamaster Diver Chrono 300M
Omega Seamaster GMT

metro23man,

Yes it was always my intention to change the leather over to a bracelet, but I just wasn't getting the vibe from the watch as a whole, so he went back today.
I know what you mean about it feeling smaller than it's actual 43/44mm diameter. If anything it felt smaller than my Seamaster which is only 41mm. Very odd....

Anyway, the B-1 has gone now, so it's back to the drawing board for my next purchase.....

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Diver8... I think it has a lot to do with the leather strap. I have had a few Lings on the leather and they just dont speak to me the same way.

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