Why no one talk about Breitling around here..

[Kennypane]

It's a good brand I am sure. Elsewhere too not many ppl talk about this brand. Maybe Navitimer is too complicated to look at but it is with this appearance that makes up the Navitimer. Wince they came up with own chronograph movement this is supposed to elevate the name higher but maybe in the US kore popular than in Asia. I maybe wrong.

I was actually at Sincere at The Gardens today and walked in to browse watches. Noticed JLC counter no longer there. So I came across a nice Breitling GMT, their new model with turnig bezel, red GMT hand and matte finished bracelet unlike their bling policed ones and water resistant to 500m. Not bad. I don't have a GMT watch at all. Not that I travel a lot just for fun to keep track of timezones. I also went to Hour Glass saw few PAMs and noticed how pricey the 112 was with zero discount. Number 779 / 1500. Not that it's triple 888. But still pricey IMO. A price that I paid for a 14060m back in 2010.

So what about Breitling? Too much of a tough looking watch perhaps. Too manly? Any thoughts?

[dpkong]

I kind of think that the dials are usually too crowded. Too large for me also. Also very expensive to buy and very low resale value.

[Kennypane]

I kind of think that the dials are usually too crowded. Too large for me also. Also very expensive to buy and very low resale value.

The non pilot series such as the divers are less cluttered. Also since when we buy watches for resale value? Just kidding. All of us at the back of our mind usually buy those watches which can somehow have some resale value. Omega does not have good resale value in particular the Speedie. But for all of us who has a decent collection somehow must have the Speedie but not for it's resale value. Many years back before the fad for large watches, brands still make decent size of 38mm or 40mm. Now everything is so big.

[GMTmaster]

Hi, kenny, which GMT model were you looking at? I am interested in the 44mm dial version.  Was that the one that you were looking? I will go to KL end of Oct. Will definitely visit any shop having that model.

Btw, I also curious why there is not much discussion on Breitling brand here in Asia. Maybe their dial sizes are generally much larger and heavier for our Asian hands. 

[dpkong]

... Also since when we buy watches for resale value? Just kidding. All of us at the back of our mind usually buy those watches which can somehow have some resale value...

For me, if I like a watch but somehow think that I will tire of it, the resale value comes to mind. For those I have no intention to flip, resale isn't important. I like some of the Breitlings but I do believe I will get bored with them.

... Maybe their dial sizes are generally much larger and heavier for our Asian hands. 

Likely a good assumption. Also, here we tend to go with the trend and Breitling doesn't look like a trend here.

[JOS2012]

There was an earlier thread on same topic..
please use the search function

[Kennypane]

Hi, kenny, which GMT model were you looking at? I am interested in the 44mm dial version.  Was that the one that you were looking? I will go to KL end of Oct. Will definitely visit any shop having that model.

Btw, I also curious why there is not much discussion on Breitling brand here in Asia. Maybe their dial sizes are generally much larger and heavier for our Asian hands. 

It's the Superocean GMT, 41mm. What's good about Breitling is it's anti reflection treatment on both sides of all their crystal. It is so clear and well done that it's as if, see through to the extent of no sapphire crystal. U can see straight on the dial. Great coating of AR.

[Kennypane]

... Maybe their dial sizes are generally much larger and heavier for our Asian hands. 

Likely a good assumption. Also, here we tend to go with the trend and Breitling doesn't look like a trend here.
[/quote]

They do offer those 41mm which I think more suitable cos as it is their watches are heavy, imagine going to 44mm, very much heavier. Also Breitling is a sturdy watch well built and solid. Feels like a tank. I don't think we follow trend all the time maybe some in Asia follow trend. Breitling as a brand maybe lack romanticism or history or a story to tell although they have existed way more than a 100 years. Rather than putting Grease boy on their poster all the time, they shud revive a bit of history, war history perhaps something that people read and go wahh.. Something adventurous like Everest or Italian Navy or Moon or Antoine.

[GMTmaster]

It's the Superocean GMT, 41mm. What's good about Breitling is it's anti reflection treatment on both sides of all their crystal. It is so clear and well done that it's as if, see through to the extent of no sapphire crystal. U can see straight on the dial. Great coating of AR.

Not the model I am interested. I am interested in the Chronomat GMT 44 with their latest in-house movement.

I had seen their new Superoceon Series, very beautiful, but too much resemblance with the Rolex Submariner ( I think ). At only half the price.

[Godzillaz]

It's an obscure brand in Malaysia. It have a huge following in the US. It does have an interesting past but suffer the same fate as Longines, Baume et Mercier, Tag Heuer, Tissot and Titoni. These are all great watches back in the 50s and 60s. When the quartz crisis hit in the 70s. All went to hell. Some got bought up by Swatch or other big luxury group while others died.

Breitling was revive by an american in the early 80s and from then on it become what they are now.

I like the old chronomat. The modern ones are ... ... well ... not like the old one.

Regards
Tyler

[G.MAC]

Speaking of breilting, how does the blacksteel hold up? Is it a PVD process or is it some coating applied unto the steel? Would love to own one from the blacksteel range.

[euclidorus]

I tried the super ocean heritage 42mm recently at change airport. I particularly like the very well made mesh bracelet, but too much bling from the polish finish, the matte version was not available. You can also spec the bezel in green (like roles sub) and something like two other colors.

I think the trans ocean Chrono in 38mm is quite elegant and the dial is presentable. Just perplexed why they market it as a women's watch.

[RaymondT]

If given the chance for me to own a Breitling , this would be it , the steelfish. Also the same watch I tried google searching that lead me to MWF!!

[JeffNg]

I recently bought a superocean 44 from an AD in singapore. I have to say the quality is top notch. I specially love the double ar coating makes you feel like there is no glass there. The bracelet is one of a kind and is very special. A lot of people say that it resembles the submariner but I have to say that it just has a slight hint but IMHO it is special in its own way.

[STT1987]

Breitling ought to be a lot more popular in Malaysia.
The chromey bling and complicated dial faces on a lot of designs put a lot of people off. It's one of those brands whose fans are really dedicated to it but have a lot of people who detest it. There are a few designs from Breitling's Aeromarine series (divers mostly) that are quite simple like the Breitling SuperOcean Heritage. On the pecking order of the watch world, I'd place it on par or slightly above (quality wise) with TAG Heuer but below Omega.

Speaking of breilting, how does the blacksteel hold up? Is it a PVD process or is it some coating applied unto the steel? Would love to own one from the blacksteel range.

"BlackSteel describes any watch in the Breitling catalogue that has a Steel case and has a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) black finish using PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition)."

It's a chemical coating process. It can be stripped off. Some crazy guy in the Breitling forum stripped off the blacksteel coating from their Blacksteel Super Avenger because he liked the dial but didn't like the blacksteel!

Anyways pics of the two blacksteels in my collection:

Breitling Super Avenger SeaWolf Blacksteel (Yellow - 50 pc limited edition)


Breitling Super Avenger Blacksteel (48mmm)


Some pics of other Breitlings in from my collection:

Breitling SuperOcean 42mm Orange limited edition.


Breitling SuperOcean 5000ft (circa 1999)


Breitling Chronomat GMT 47mm Limited Edition


This is something a bit special.
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage (46mm) Malaysia Merdeka 50th Anniversary Limited Edition (50pcs)


I like Breitlings...

PS:
Here is an idea. You give Breitling enough money; they will make a special limited edition watch of your choosing with your own printed logo on the dial and special engraving on the back (like the Malaysian LE above which was commissioned by the Breitling distributor in Malaysia). A lot of armed forces aviation squadrons around the world do that so that their pilots will have a unique watch memento of their service. Anyone want to commission a MWF special LE from Breitling? The minimum order is 50 watches but you have to pay for the extra logo and design.

[musclehedz]

Nice to see there are some B'ling fans here!
Maybe we should start a pic thread to show your B'lings... :-)

STT...awesome B'ling collection you got there! 

[TheHobbit]

Not a real fan of the brand. Have only one and it is my favourite....

[Peiseh]

In my personal opinion, the Breits models are a almost always too crowded at the crowns. It almost always steal the "thunder" from the watch face.

And in addition the rotating bezel is just too common whilst being chunky as well. It easily grows old on you. And when the Breits becomes less dramatic at the crowns, it becomes a common dull looking watch.

Somehow to me, its a pricey watch (when new) but without much appeal.

[nayo]

QUOTE

I like Breitlings...

PS:
Here is an idea. You give Breitling enough money; they will make a special limited edition watch of your choosing with your own printed logo on the dial and special engraving on the back (like the Malaysian LE above which was commissioned by the Breitling distributor in Malaysia). A lot of armed forces aviation squadrons around the world do that so that their pilots will have a unique watch memento of their service. Anyone want to commission a MWF special LE from Breitling? The minimum order is 50 watches but you have to pay for the extra logo and design.
[/quote]


Something like this?

[STT1987]

PS:
Here is an idea. You give Breitling enough money; they will make a special limited edition watch of your choosing with your own printed logo on the dial and special engraving on the back (like the Malaysian LE above which was commissioned by the Breitling distributor in Malaysia). A lot of armed forces aviation squadrons around the world do that so that their pilots will have a unique watch memento of their service. Anyone want to commission a MWF special LE from Breitling? The minimum order is 50 watches but you have to pay for the extra logo and design.

Something like this:
Here is a page full of Breitling special commissions of their B1.
http://www.donindiano.net/watches/breitling/b-1/special_editions

[STT1987]

.....

I like the old chronomat. The modern ones are ... ... well ... not like the old one.

Regards
Tyler

I got this one out of the collection for you.


Now just to illustrate how unappreciated and "under the radar" the brand is in Malaysia (more so in Penang); I found this little gem in the only Breitling AD in Penang. Or should i say former AD, they stopped bringing in new stuff years ago and just have old stock from 2007 latest. There are no real Breitling ADs in Penang now.

This is the Breitling Chronomat Bluebird (250 pc limited edition). It was released in 2000, I bought it new in 2010. Yes, it was stuck the display case for 10 years. I got it as NOS (new old stock) negotiated a great discount out of the dealer who was relieved to get rid of it finally (30-40% off, IIRC). Kind of kicking myself now for not getting the Frecce Tricolori LE chronomat which was also NOS available there - but when I returned, coincidentally someone had the same idea and it was gone. Coincidence? Well at least I managed to get a whole bunch of NOS off the AD before then; they still have some left so it's not too late to go over what's left of the stock.

IMHO, Malaysian WIS are too conservative. Either the design is too busy or too simple; fearing to stray too far from the standard bland homogeneity. We base too much of our purchasing decisions on safe "resale value" brands rather than wearing a watch that appeals or daring to differ from the norm. If the world WIS followed our example, the only watch company left would be Rolex.

[1to12]

Now just to illustrate how unappreciated and "under the radar" the brand is in Malaysia (more so in Penang); I found this little gem in the only Breitling AD in Penang. Or should i say former AD, they stopped bringing in new stuff years ago and just have old stock from 2007 latest. There are no real Breitling ADs in Penang now.

This is the Breitling Chronomat Bluebird (250 pc limited edition). It was released in 2000, I bought it new in 2010. Yes, it was stuck the display case for 10 years. I got it as NOS (new old stock) negotiated a great discount out of the dealer who was relieved to get rid of it finally (30-40% off, IIRC). Kind of kicking myself now for not getting the Frecce Tricolori LE chronomat which was also NOS available there - but when I returned, coincidentally someone had the same idea and it was gone. Coincidence? Well at least I managed to get a whole bunch of NOS off the AD before then; they still have some left so it's not too late to go over what's left of the stock.

IMHO, Malaysian WIS are too conservative. Either the design is too busy or too simple; fearing to stray too far from the standard bland homogeneity. We base too much of our purchasing decisions on safe "resale value" brands rather than wearing a watch that appeals or daring to differ from the norm. If the world WIS followed our example, the only watch company left would be Rolex.

Yeah, hunting for watches is a fun adventure (budget permitting)! I personally like Breitling too, especially the Navitimer range and the Hercules model. Some of its vintage range looks nice too. My Navitimer is one of the first watches I bought... still one of my favs! 

[1to12]

opps, was quoting STT. Btw, u r a Big fan of the B brand... that's quite a few Big watches you have there.. 

[Godzillaz]

Actually I was thinking more along the line of ref 808 from the 60s.
 

Photos taken from the World Wide Web

Regard
Tyler

.....

I like the old chronomat. The modern ones are ... ... well ... not like the old one.

Regards
Tyler

I got this one out of the collection for you.


Now just to illustrate how unappreciated and "under the radar" the brand is in Malaysia (more so in Penang); I found this little gem in the only Breitling AD in Penang. Or should i say former AD, they stopped bringing in new stuff years ago and just have old stock from 2007 latest. There are no real Breitling ADs in Penang now.

This is the Breitling Chronomat Bluebird (250 pc limited edition). It was released in 2000, I bought it new in 2010. Yes, it was stuck the display case for 10 years. I got it as NOS (new old stock) negotiated a great discount out of the dealer who was relieved to get rid of it finally (30-40% off, IIRC). Kind of kicking myself now for not getting the Frecce Tricolori LE chronomat which was also NOS available there - but when I returned, coincidentally someone had the same idea and it was gone. Coincidence? Well at least I managed to get a whole bunch of NOS off the AD before then; they still have some left so it's not too late to go over what's left of the stock.

IMHO, Malaysian WIS are too conservative. Either the design is too busy or too simple; fearing to stray too far from the standard bland homogeneity. We base too much of our purchasing decisions on safe "resale value" brands rather than wearing a watch that appeals or daring to differ from the norm. If the world WIS followed our example, the only watch company left would be Rolex.

[tsh23]

I have a Navitimer and I love it.



However I must say I don't wear it as much as I should