The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi,

I'm a proud owner of a new Breitling Chronomat! I've always had a fascination with watches and never thought I'd pull the trigger on something this expensive in my lifetime! It didn't take long to desire a Breitling, there was no competition in my eyes for the price however it took a while to chose a model within the line. After a few years in my career (im 27) with overtime coming in and a wedding next month (the perfect gift for me, from me) I decided it was time.

My parameters were it had to be polished, steel band, black face with a chronograph. I went to my AD and advised them I had an AD in the US for %30 off MSRP and she surprisingly offered my the same deal for any model in store, and 25% off any special order since they would have to add shipping etc.

The black face Chronomat stuck out in the display cabinet and was an easy choice. I had considered the blackbird but found I liked the silver chronograph contrast much more than an entirely black face. I truly cherish this watch and it garners attention from watch enthusiasts and laymen alike.

As for my question, the crystal seems to have a coating with a blue tint to it, which often makes the watch face look purple or blue. I assume this is entirely normal but is there any way to bring the black of the face out a little more? Ive also taken a wrist shot:

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Blackbird - Blacksteel Limited Edition, Diver's strap
Chronomat - Black Face Silver Eye, Polished Pilot's Bracelet
Montbrillant Olympus - Silver Face, Black Croco Strap

Congrats on the new purchase, you made a great choice. I have the same watch and I also bought it because I thought it stood out from the rest of the watches in the case that were in my price range. But i'm sorry to say that your going to be stuck with the blueish tint. I however do not mind it at all, i kinda like the dual color tone of the watch, it kinda gives it a unique look to it.

Enjoy the new watch

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

Welcome aboard. The blue tinge is the anti-reflective (AR) coating that Breitling applies to both the inner and outer surfaces of the crystal to reduce glare. This is because sapphire crystal has a much higher reflective index than glass and watches without AR coatings can be less legible in certain lights.

You can remove the outer AR coating if it REALLY bothers you, but I personally can never understand that. The Breitling AR is great IMHO.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I can totally relate to the first part of your post! Only in the end I picked the Blackbird and am very happy I did. One thing I also took into consideration was what would be next.

I have a 39mm, blue dial, custom diamond bezel Tag, and liked that watch quite a bit until I received the Breitling. All three of my other watches will be sold to go towards another Breitling.

Congrats on your watch, and like they keep telling me, it won't be your last!

Hey Driver....how would one go about removing the outer tint? Cape Cod wouldn't take it off would it?

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

Cape Cods certainly will take it off. I'm not sure how much effort you'd have to put in (I'm guessing a bit but not too much), but just be very VERY certain you want to remove it, as you can't put it back! (Not yourself anyway).

Personally I mask off the crystal if I use Cape Cods near the crystal for the very reason that they can remove the coating.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Ok good to know that ill have to mask it off when the Cape Cod I ordered comes in. I had a feeling about it because that stuff is pretty powerful from what i've read on here.

Thanks

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

Other than glare issues, are there any problems that could arise from removing that coating such as warranty (dont see how but you never know) or damage to the crystal itself?

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Blackbird - Blacksteel Limited Edition, Diver's strap
Chronomat - Black Face Silver Eye, Polished Pilot's Bracelet
Montbrillant Olympus - Silver Face, Black Croco Strap

I've owned a number of watches with and without AR coating, and IMO the Breitling coating is pretty good.

Its nice and clear for the most part but it certainly does have a blue hue to it at many angles which I dont really like.

The Panerai's i've owned are single sided AR and are also really nice without the blue hue, but then you get more reflections.

I've seen some watches, IWC mostly, which you cannot see the blue, and the crystal is clear as anything.

I dont understand why they cannot all do this. It looks so much better.

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PAM359M | PAM311L | PAM305L | PAM219M | PAM292K

You would definitely need to tell Breitling that it had deliberately been removed, otherwise they would recoat during servicing.

Not sure if they would be OK with it being removed or not - they seem to be getting better lately at accepting modifications.

I wouldnt remove the AR coating. The glare would be worse without it.

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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

Hey would that AG coating be a tell to an authentic and a fake? Or are the fakes putting on the AG coating as well?

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

I've been looking at some Blackbird fakes and the pictures have the same blue tint, so they are doing it too, at least on some watches.

The replica's all have AR basically.

It tends to be quite blue but the recent ones have moved toward this much clearer finish like I mentioned above.

Genuine AR isnt really the best IMO but I definitely would not be removing it from my watch.

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PAM359M | PAM311L | PAM305L | PAM219M | PAM292K

It was my understanding that Breitling does not/cannot recoat your crystal. I have scratches on my AR coating and they only recommended replacement of the crystal during service. The new crystal was $320, I did not replace yet. I might just remove the coating if the view is still good since the underside is still perfect.

Could you please elaborate on the recoat?


Also does everyone have scratches on their AR? It seems unavoidable if you wear your ling on an everyday basis.