Breitling owners - Stand up and be counted

[muhren]

Noticed that there is not much discussion here on this particular brand, so I decided to put up this poll to have a feel of Breitling's popularity amongst MWF members.

You'll need to vote in order to see the results. Appreciate if members can also state which model of Breitling that they own.

TQ for your participation.

[rusminag]

No.. and no intention to own one....

[musclehedz]

Yes, a superocean chrono..

[ck77]

No.
Their pilot range dial is too busy for my taste.

[meoramri]

Unfortunately, none of their designs appeal to me.

[danny]

Only piece I own - Breitling Navitimer World

[TheHobbit]

Only one I have and only one I like.

[JOS2012]

taste changes over the years..
used to dream of owning a Navitimer when I was in my 20's...
as I grew older I found it more difficult to read the complicated dials so lost interest..
Now that they have their own in-house, may have a 2nd look provided the dial is not cluttered.
My brother owns 1 and although he treats his watch like dirt banging it here and there, it has worked beautifully for the last 15 years with only 1 service in between..accuracy does go off COSC after several years which needs servicing..

[hanz079]

The only Breitling i am interested in but have yet to own.



The Transocean series.
The chronograph on their in house B-01 chrono movement in the same series also has the clean looks.
I cannot quite accept their trademark busy dials.
Purists might argue that is what Breitling is all about but not for me.

[IWCking]

I dont own one. But dont dismiss breitling. Well, they are the only one with 100% cosc or the watch maker with highest cosc if i am not mistaken.

Breitling is not popular in msia. But a lot of hong kong, states and japan collectors like it.

[TheHobbit]

I dont own one. But dont dismiss breitling. Well, they are the only one with 100% cosc or the watch maker with highest cosc if i am not mistaken.

COSC, another can of worms waiting to be opened. I believe Rolex is still the leader followed by Omega, then comes Breitling. Could be wrong on this.

The thing about COSC and Breitling (flame suit on), is that in all likely hood, the movements Breitling sources (from that 'evil' company) are already COSC certifiable! But not certified as yet. So the question that begs to be asked is what input does Brietling have that further improves on the movement?

[Laktos Kid]

Only piece I own - Breitling Navitimer World

Loved this watch very much ! hope to own one some day, but without the GMT 
like the slide rule too 

[Enkidu]

The only Breitling i am interested in but have yet to own.



The Transocean series.
The chronograph on their in house B-01 chrono movement in the same series also has the clean looks.
I cannot quite accept their trademark busy dials.
Purists might argue that is what Breitling is all about but not for me.

Hi Hanz,

I was quite excited about the new Transocean (without chrono) a few months ago when I first read about it in the internet. After a little wait, I saw one (white dial) at the AD near my office. The legibility is good since it's at 42mm. The stick hands and indices are also desirable in my opinion as they give the watch a vintage 60's look. I cannot comment on the accuracy. The sales guy could not be 100% sure if it's COSC rated but I found out later on my own that this watch comes with a COSC cert but "chronometre" is not printed on the dial (not a big problem in my opinion).

But just to be clear, this watch runs on a modified ETA movement with only about 40hrs of power reserve. I was hoping that with a bigger case maybe Breitling can squeeze in a double barrel or a longer mainspring but that's just me and my wishful thinking. The lugs are also sharp at the tips. The leather strap is the standard 22mm strap you get with the Navitimer. I think the folding buckle (when used with this thick Navitimer strap) is unsuited to this watch. No see-through case back (but if you use an ETA movement in an expensive watch, I guess there is every reason to hide it).

Summary: Sorry mate, at the price range (>RM12,500) I think this is just an overpriced Oris or a Portuguese pretender.

best regards,
Enkidu

     

[hanz079]

Hi Loo,

Your observations are spot on...
The watch looks good case and dial wise but the whole package does not really scream good value.
Which is why I have yet to pull a trigger on one.
Correct me if I am wrong but Breitling have called themselves the "Chronograph" expert and back that up by spending to develop their own manufacture B-01 chronograph movement.... question is... why don't they develop a simple 3 hand with date movement to fit in their non chronograph watches eg: Colt, Superocean and this Transocean Series?
I would imagine after developing a movement with a chronograph complication, doing a variation of the movement without the chronograph would be a walk in the park? Or is it my wishful thinking? 

[muhren]

Thanks guys for all your responses and comments. Do keep them coming.
Based on the poll results so far I can only say that, at least in Malaysia, Breitling is a brand with lots of "untapped potential". 

Honestly I do not own a Breitling yet. However I have in my sights a Navitimer with the new caliber B01.
The Navitimer to me is the quintessential Breitling and the new chronograph movement comes with a 5 year warranty.

[rgbs]

No.
Their pilot range dial is too busy for my taste.

Agreed...too "Glossy"...

[Enkidu]

Correct me if I am wrong but Breitling have called themselves the "Chronograph" expert and back that up by spending to develop their own manufacture B-01 chronograph movement.... question is... why don't they develop a simple 3 hand with date movement to fit in their non chronograph watches eg: Colt, Superocean and this Transocean Series?
I would imagine after developing a movement with a chronograph complication, doing a variation of the movement without the chronograph would be a walk in the park? Or is it my wishful thinking? 

Hi, Hanz,

In my mind the true chronograph expert was PROBABLY Seiko with their 6139 and 6138 movements which came out in 1969/1970 around the same time as Zenith's El Primero. Then the quartz revolution came and Seiko again was well in front - remember the over-engineered 7A28s, 7A38s and 7A48s of the 1980's??

Zenith is pretty much resting on past glory and Breitling for the past many years (before their 01 movement came out) only demonstrated their unmatched ability to stuff 7750 movements into blingy cases and sell them at high premium in yellow boxes with airplanes printed on them and advertised them with the help of a scientologist with a nolstalgic look, probably yearning for more saturday night fevers.

Why no simple 3-hand movement with date from Breitling? I have no idea. But they sell their watches claiming them to be "Instruments for Professionals". I guess a 3-hand watch with date function will look less like an "instrument" and therefore inconsistent with their advertisement.

best regards,
Enkidu
 

[terrenceterrence]

  well said bro   

really made my day 

Correct me if I am wrong but Breitling have called themselves the "Chronograph" expert and back that up by spending to develop their own manufacture B-01 chronograph movement.... question is... why don't they develop a simple 3 hand with date movement to fit in their non chronograph watches eg: Colt, Superocean and this Transocean Series?
I would imagine after developing a movement with a chronograph complication, doing a variation of the movement without the chronograph would be a walk in the park? Or is it my wishful thinking? 

Hi, Hanz,

In my mind the true chronograph expert was PROBABLY Seiko with their 6139 and 6138 movements which came out in 1969/1970 around the same time as Zenith's El Primero. Then the quartz revolution came and Seiko again was well in front - remember the over-engineered 7A28s, 7A38s and 7A48s of the 1980's??

Zenith is pretty much resting on past glory and Breitling for the past many years (before their 01 movement came out) only demonstrated their unmatched ability to stuff 7750 movements into blingy cases and sell them at high premium in yellow boxes with airplanes printed on them and advertised them with the help of a scientologist with a nolstalgic look, probably yearning for more saturday night fevers.

Why no simple 3-hand movement with date from Breitling? I have no idea. But they sell their watches claiming them to be "Instruments for Professionals". I guess a 3-hand watch with date function will look less like an "instrument" and therefore inconsistent with their advertisement.

best regards,
Enkidu

[JOS2012]

My opinion is in line with enkidu's comments who was able to put it in such clear & succint lingo unlike my usual bumbling self.

I must however emphasise that this is only my personal opinion and also why I never ended up buying a Breitling. My brother on the other hand loves Breitlings although he has never understood why I never pulled the trigger on a Breitling as well.

Obvious enkidu being a legal eagle says it much better than I possibly could have...

At the end of the day we are different personalities with individual tastes and preferences... no one is more right than the other...

[muhren]

But..... this scientologist and his nostalgic look makes Bretiling look so cool! 

[JOS2012]

IWC tried to do it with US Navy Fighter School
Breitling rides on acrobatic and WWI & WWII veteran airshows, not quite as exciting as an actual military top fighter unit
ORIS tried to link up with some French helicopter reconaissance units and some outfit flying warplanes of past eras

I honestly think that none of this inferred connection works if you are objective enough..

[Enkidu]

IWC tried to do it with US Navy Fighter School
Breitling rides on acrobatic and WWI & WWII veteran airshows, not quite as exciting as an actual military top fighter unit
ORIS tried to link up with some French helicopter reconaissance units and some outfit flying warplanes of past eras

I honestly think that none of this inferred connection works if you are objective enough..

Hi, Joseph,

You are quite right. They are just marketing strategies, nothing more, hoping to net those of us who often wish we are doing something else which appear more cool, exciting, glamorous and attractive to the babes of this world (instead of sitting around in an uninspiring office, answering phone calls & solving other people's messy problems). Why do you think I bought the GO Navigator??

BTW, I guess you missed out the most ambitious of them all - BELL & ROSS; these guys are probably trying to make connection with all pilots right from the Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen (WW1) to Erich Hartmann, Pappy Boyington of WWII and to the present era pilots of the F-117 & F-35.   

[Enkidu]

But..... this scientologist and his nostalgic look makes Bretiling look so cool! 

I truly wonder if he will be able to fly that P-51 Mustang and still properly adjust the slide rule on that Navitimer of his, especially when he is also wearing that big pair of sunglasses which probably makes the tiny numbers on the slide rule totally illegible. Eyes will probably go..... 

[gapper]

i owned one actually.. superocean, and still loving it.

[muhren]

i owned one actually.. superocean, and still loving it.

Good looking Superocean 42. The red chapter ring is a nice touch.