The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey all

I am a watchmaker, and work mostly on Rolex watches now, but I used to work for Breitling Benelux, in Belgium.
I am sure you will all find questions for me to answer, and please feel free to ask! I'll try to answer them as quikly and accurate as possible. I only know the mechanical movements though...
Regards,

Vanessa

Very cool.. nice to have a watchmaker in the house. Welcome to the forums Vanessa!

Thank you!

Hi Vanessa,

Awesome! I have something I would like to ask you.

As a watchmaker, do you think Breitling should take their movement finishing to a higher level to offer equal or higher value in comparison to say, Omega? I used to own an Omega Seamaster Pro which uses Omega's 1120 (2892a2) movement which I have seen finished on both sides whereas Breitling finishes their movements on only the backside. I'm sure I've seen photos of one side for the 2824 and 7750 movements. How does the quality of finishing compare to say the Omega? Are the movements in the Breitling for Bentley, minus the tourbillon, different than the regular lines?

I would like to see other types of base movements modified and used in breitlings, such as ones from lemania, zenith, etc. I wonder if this would piss off the swatch group though.

In terms of case finishing I think Breitling is excellent.

Thanks

I don't think that's really an issue considering that they're no longer going to be providing raw movements after 2010! But that's just the kick start Breitling needs to develop an in-house movement.

Yeah who knows how things will turn out but there are tonnes of threads out there discussing the same thing and a lot of information floating around but who knows what's real and what are rumours.

In one of those lengthy threads I read people state that Breitling has negotiated some deal with ETA so that they can continue receiving their movements in kit form? Is this true? I have no idea. Nothing really makes sense anymore.

Does Breitling have what it takes to make their own movement? Are they willing to go down that road or will they just find another movement manufacturer like Sellita?

Yeah I know it's all been re-hashed thousands of times over but it's coffee talk eh?

yeah.. hashed to death but still good coffee talk. great with a Caramel Machiatto if you ask me

I think Breitling does have what it takes to make their own movement... obviously it take a couple of years to develop such a thing and likely would have to be introduced in parts. Like the El Primero movement if they did it right they could make tons of modules for it... and if they made it beat at 36K like the El Primero i would be even happier!

From my experience I have seen Omega's with a pretty lousy finish compared to Breitling.
I am not into the "politics" of watchmaking, so I can't really give you my opinion about all the stuff you're asking. I am sorry about that.

Regards,
Vanessa

I understand. But thanks anyway. I didn't mean it to be a topic to start an argument but rather for my own education.

I do have another question.
Why do some watches come with a special 7750 in tricompax layout and some with a 2892 and a DD chronograph module in a tricompax layout? e.g. caliber 23 versus 35
Is it just for the date and subdial proximity? Are there benefits of using a 2892 with DD over a 7750 other than the ones that I mentioned?

Thanks

I honestly don't know why they came up with the DD part, I suppose it is to lower cost of fabrication...
What I do know is that I, and any other watchmaker, cannot repair the 2892 with DD, except for the factory repair center itself. It requires special tools that only they have.
So, service wise the 7750 is much better, since you'll be able to get that overhauled at a lower price, and shorter time frame.
(By the way; the 7750 is one of my favorite movements to work on!:D )

Vanessa

It's good to know from a watchmaker's perspective.

Thanks again.