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Thanks for the review Driver8!

I think your last sentence sums up my feelings!

That's funny, and that many of us know what you're referring to. I think of them as "Tron" numbers, or "Space Invaders", myself.

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Chris
Club Member #0070
2009 TT Chrono Evo w/Rose gold, blue face
2009 Airwolf w/black face, Co-Pilot module
2009 TT Lady Cockpit w/Mother-of-Pearl, Diamond face for the wife

Very nice write up D8. Thanks for the review.

Excellent info Driver....thanks

You the man!!!

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Rolex DeepSea, GMT Master II TT, Pres 18038, DJ TT 16013
Breitling Chronomat 39mm (bullet+UTC), Starliner SS/MOP (wife)

back with ROLEX

A very interesting and detailed report there, D8

Thanks for the input.

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

Thanks for the review. Very much appreciated.

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PAM359M | PAM311L | PAM305L | PAM219M | PAM292K

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm just sorry I didn't get a few pics for you all.

Obviously these are just my personally observations/thoughts, and some of you may well love the Chronomat B01, but for me it's still not really doing it for me. I will say though, some colour combinations seem to work much better that others.

Again as an aside, although I've not seen this particular version in the flesh, I had a play on the Japanese site fitting section and the "mirage red" dial with romans on a burgundy croco strap might look pretty interesting. Perhaps teamed with a diamond bezel too..... Hmmmmm

No, I think I'll be holding fire on this model.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Good write up.

Nice review. I'm going to head into town and check out the B01 this week some time. I think it's funny that it seems like everyone hates the new bezel. I wish they'd just take those "I love the 80's" numbers off...

Thanks D8, nice write-up

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Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm
Breitling Chrono Avenger
Breitling Chronomat Evolution
Breitling Chrono SuperOcean
Breitling Avenger Seawolf
Omega Seamaster Pro James Bond LE Co-Axial Auto

Saw the gold bezel one myself this morning, and was pleasantly surprised by the dial. As Driver8 says the square didn't seem out of place, and I really liked the 'step' down to the dial from the bezel - that really added to the depth and looked very nice.

I just can't get past the font though. List price for the gold bezel was just over C$10,000 on croc with tang.

so whats the price on this? (usd)

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Chronomat BF w/ Pilot
Sky Land Avenger w/ Pro II
Tag Heuer SLR

I did some fiddling around on the Japanese website and found that getting a bezel with gold rider tabs plus a TT bracelet seemed to de-accentuate the bezel numbers enough to make the watch look a whole lot better. I think I could love the black or blue dial with batons, gold subdials, gold rider tabs, TT bracelet.

Have not seen one in person to test this theory out, but I would be interested if anyone can comment.

It is a real shame about the bezel numbers...other than that I think the design is really growing on me.

Mofongo

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." --Dave Barry

I have to go and see if I can take a gander at this watch, especially since it has generated such interest. My first thought is that I like it except for the numbers on the bezel. I really wanted to like this watch, even though it is no way in the cards for me to get one, but I think that even I liked the font now I wouldn't like it in the future and I would regret getting it.

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Superocean Steelfish

I think that's a spot-on observation which is why I think it's a bit of a transitory design, not a future classic.

Never mind, I'm sure the B01 (or a variant of it) will definitely make it's way into a Navi of some description at some point. And providing it's one of the larger Navi's (i.e. over 43mm), I'll be first in the queue!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Perhaps overpriced... that depends on if B01 is all its cracked up to be.
C'mon the bezel ain't that bad..OK I'll say it, I kind of like it, don't love it but like it " change has come"...then again I never thought the older style bezel was no raving beauty either.
I actually like the Roman Numeral Dials...but I agree they do look out of place with the font on the bezel.
I think the price is what generates so much negativity about this watch...if it were selling around $1500 less and more in line with the other chronos we'd probably being hearing a lot less critical reviews.