just looked at the oceanic watch blog and they have got all the new breitblings on there....and ive got to say that there a brand ive never really warmed to......
have a look here
http://oceanictime.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Sometime I think they are too OTT - but that's what it's all about - variety. The world would be a boring place if we all liked the same things.
They've made a few nice ones IMO - here's mine - I'm sure others will be along shortly with a few more nice pieces.
Got to say, I agree there. Probably the one main brand I cant see anything that appeals, although I did see an early 70's chrongraph that I really liked a couple of months ago.
Malc
As a brand, generally speaking I've never warmed to them either. One or two pieces I really like - including the iconic Aerospace - otherwise I find them too busy and inelegant, in general.
I quite liked my Grand Premier except for the size.
Yeah i've never been a fan of this brand either really.
I would agree that the new offerings are a bit poor - the bezel on the new colt just makes it look like a Tag Aquaracer. Not pretty.
The Colt 44mm might be a nice change though, the originals had started to look a little small next to the competition.
As for Breitling as a brand - I've always been a fan of them.
They have developed a bit of a 'chavvy' image recently with those (eughh) 'Breitling for Bentley' monstrosities, but the vintage lines (the top-time, the Trans-ocean and the old chronographs like the beauty below) show how the history behind the modern models.
Most of the new stuff is just 'more of the same' I suppose. The Breitling Superocean isn't far removed from Rolex's Submariner, or Omega's Seamaster, but they are still easily one of the most influencial 'aviator' watchbrands - with the Navitimer (one of the most popular Pilots watches) remaining unchanged since the late 1960's. Plus the specialist pieces they do (the UTC add-ons, the Emergency etc etc) cater to fairly niche markets extremely well.
Anyway, each to their own. As with most of the luxury Swiss watches they seem a bit overpriced for what you get these days, but people will still pay for the name.
I think you're perhaps a bit sore that they didn't do an orange version of the SuperOcean when they re-launched Shawn. Don't forget though, you can still get the Emergency with an Orange dial! :lol:
Have you ever tried one mate? I was the same but the pics don't really do them justice. The workmanship and quality is really good.
Breitling is one of my absolute favorite brands. The quality of the watches I owned is unbelievable and unmatched in their price range. Of course I don't like all of their lineup, but they have many models I like a lot.
Some of mine ;-)
ive handled a few, and my boss has the bentley :shock:Originally Posted by alexaff
the navitimer look awesome....
and i would have an emergency in a heartbeat!!
Avenger Seawolf perhaps?
Jabba, that is a superb collection you have there. Well done.
Aerospace is one of the most comfy watches ever.
The bracelets look like cheap after market jobs with generic end links, which on a watch which must cost 3k+ is shoddy IMO
ive handled a few, and my boss has the bentley :shock:
the navitimer look awesome....
Bentley, not my cuppa. Try a titanium model, they do some crackers!!
ive handled a few, and my boss has the bentley :shock:
the navitimer look awesome....
Bentley, not my cuppa. Try a titanium model, they do some crackers!!
might pop into town this week & have a looky see
Breitling is one of my absolute favorite brands. The quality of the watches I owned is unbelievable and unmatched in their price range. Of course I don't like all of their lineup, but they have many models I like a lot.
Some of mine ;-)
Its the bezel, that i cant warm to, its just plain ugly and unfortunately, nearly all their watches have the same design. When they do a different bezel such as the Super Ocean Heritage I can finally like one of their watches.
Breitlings can polarise opinion, but you can't deny that they have a unique and robust styling. I really like the brand, though not necessarily all pieces. This doesn't exclude me from admiring and aquiring other brands, nor do I require people to share my opinion. Quality wise I cannot fault them and have owned 6. Some images I have of current and previously owned ...... Crikey I miss that Skyland.
It is my first and only Breitling - I'm surprised just how often it's the one that I pick up
generally I don't like the brand but occasionally I see one thats realy nice.
the top one from the first collection added tho this thread is something I would wear.
I don't like the mix of digital display and traditional hands on some models. I don't get that ?
You obviously never handled a Pilot bracelet...
I agree that the Pro I feels a bit cheap, but it's from a time when the watches were cheaper too. The newer Pro II or even more the Pilot bracelet are fantastic!
I have never really desired a Bretiling like I have other brands.
They just seem far to cluttered to me.
But each to their own! :)
I generally find Breitlings too fussy. However, as soon as I spotted the Steelfish and then saw it in the flesh, it was a must-buy for me. The finish is stunning. There aren't many others I like of theirs though, the new Superoceans have those weird cross-eyed numbers for instance. The rest of the watch is really nice, but those numbers put me off.
If you're into movements Breitling isn't the brand for you. But if you like excellent quality, robust, beautifully finished, sporty watches...
Breitling are no different than many of the brands on sale today, they have a wide a varied range, of which I only really like a couple of their watches, same goes for Omega\Tag\Oris\Ball\Rolex etc.
I know what your saying but how often do you open the watch up and admire the movement?
about 3 times a week
I know what your saying but how often do you open the watch up and admire the movement?
Can't think of anything in the current lineup that appeals but I could one day be tempted by a vintage Navitimer. 8)
Compared to say an older Rolex. You are very mistaken.
I think Breitling make fine quality robust and reliable watches of a certain style that may not be to everybody's taste. But I really can't agree with the above comment.
Here's a couple of mine. A Blackbird and an Aerospace Advantage.
@ Bricktop & Scrog, I have handled a Pilot bracelet, but never owned one and agree they are good quality. I worded my post poorly, I was referring to the end pieces which one some of the new models are straight but the corresponding lug section is rounded leaving gaps between the bracelet and the watch head as often seen with aftermarket bracelets (mesh and lumpies spring to mind). Breitling seem to avoid this usually by having straight edges between the lugs but have not done so in this case for some reason.
I don't like any of the shiny-shiny models, nothing polished and although I admire it for what it is and it's history, I don't like the Navitimer.
But their steel / brushed / Ti tool watches, on rubber especially, do appeal. They have a specific place and purpose, they will never be all-things to all-men, but at the moment I'm looking for a more casual looking tool watch that can take some abuse... Breitling seem to be coming up more than any other brand. They seem the sort of watch you don't need to worry about, just wear it and get on with life.
I'd agree with this entirely. The brushed or ti look much better than their shiny equivalents. It's a shame that they seem to discontinue these in favour of more blingy versions e.g. Avenger vs Avenger Skyland.
The other problem for me is that you need pretty big wrists to wear a lot of Breitlings - so this narrows the field down a bit - you can end up with a watch that looks great off the wrist, but terrible on. I'm not sure its just the case width but also the depth that makes them "wear big". My Flyback is 40mm - which, ok, is not big these days, but it's not exactly small.
I think they are almost universally awful. The only exception I can think of off the top of my head is the oceanwave heritage. The navitimer world is tolerable too I guess...
Everything I don't like about modern watch design. Oversized, ostentatious, poor legibility. Horrible.
I know not many Breitling lovers liked this, but I think it looks pretty good.
Or even this.
I was never a big Brietling fan until I saw this and just fell in love with it. It gets loads of wrist time
I agree. In fact I'd go one step further and say that their watches are less elegant than they were [Air Wolf not as nice as B1, Avantage not as nice as previous Aerospace, SeaWolf has silly 'slit' numerals] but this is a trend over the last 5-10 years for a number of makers - Rolex cases are getting porkier, Omega PO is not as nice as the 2254 model SMP - all IMO of course.
I've had 2 Breitlings - Aerospace and B-1 - and they were great watches. I'd have liked a SuperOcean, or Colt [before the silly 'square' dial pattern]
How would youre views change if you had a orange superocean
http://www.google.co.uk/search?client=s ... 66&bih=605
Or a orange emergency
http://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/v ... =3&t=24645 :wink:
Col
In fairness to Breitling they have some cracking models, they also have some I don't like but you will get that with most brands.
Breitling - disgusting bling.
Where's the bling?
I`m put of by the size; as one guy stated earlier, most of them are big and chunky.....too much so for my liking.
A brand that's never appealed to me at all, but the quality always seems good when I look at one.
Paul
Massive generalisation.
I have a SuperOcean Pro, which I've owned since new - 12 years or so. Being the Pro, it's brushed all over so I fail to see how it can be described as "blingy". It's a really well made watch that was a single daily wearer for about 10 years (until I started coming on here!) and, in spite of having a very clumsy owner, would still pass for a nearly new watch. The bracelet (Pro 1) is excellent too.
Fancied an avenger seawolf for a long time but as with the Fortis Marinemaster which is a nice looking watch as well, the dials can be to busy to be as easily readable as my new Omega PO.
I agree with the OP, I really dislike them, apart from some of the 1960s ones. The modern ones are just ugly and inelegant
"A man of little significance"
He is indeed talking about the new Colts, with straight end pieces. It's a "look" they're going for that I don't think works either.You obviously never handled a Pilot bracelet...
I agree that the Pro I feels a bit cheap, but it's from a time when the watches were cheaper too. The newer Pro II or even more the Pilot bracelet are fantastic!
The other bracelets are very good indeed. Anyone ever tried to remove or refit a Pro II? The clearance is perfect. No rocking the endlinks side to side; there's zero play. You need proper tools to do it.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Trying to score points? Breitling denigration is one of the phases that many newbs go through...
I don't much like the funky styling of the newer models, to the point where the only one I'd buy, given the readies, would now be the standard Navitimer. But it is extremely expensive, and although the current one has a very good in-house movement, Navis were born with robust, workaday Venuses once upon a time, and weren't super-duper luxury like they are now. So, used it is ;).
Ah yes, the Breitling Oceanwave SuperMungo Heritage. Cracking watch :lol:
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
WhoopsAh yes, the Breitling Oceanwave SuperMungo Heritage. Cracking watch :lol:superocean heritage I meant...
My first proper watch was an early quartz colt, several years later my second proper watch was a crosswind racing. Sadly that packed up 3 times in the 4 years I owned it and the final time Breitlings famous customer service left me decidedly less than satisfied so I got rid. I loved that watch up till then (although I recked so much clothing on that damn bezel) and I really think if I hadn't had the issues I'd still have the crosswind as my only watch today. Not on my radar anymore, which is a shame as they have done done really nice watches - they've done some pretty ghastly ones too, but that goes for pretty much all brands in my opinion.
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