The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I just picked up a new Blackbird (polished/matte black dial) from my Breitling AD. I love it - the faceted pilot bracelet sparkles like diamonds, the matte black dial is subtle and stunning all at once, and it may be the most beautifully lumed watch I've seen.

One question, the case back is a standard Breitling caseback with Blackbird engraved rather than just the large engraved "Blackbird." Frankly I like it better. When, though, did Breitling change the caseback? I forgot to ask my AD.

TIA

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SHARKMAN

You always see the brushed ones. I for one dont like them I like the polished to post a ton of pics! Including some outside and some wrist shots.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

I would be very interested in the answer to the "caseback" question too as I have one inbound as well

Jeff

Not sure I can do some research after work. I bet someone beat me to it though.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

I think that it has standard case back because it is polished version.

I recently bought and sold the polished version of the new Blackbird which Breitling released last year and it had the normal caseback. I have seen new brushed versions still with the larger engraving, the 'early' new Blackbird models had a different caseback design again....

I cant find the answer. Anyone? Does the year matter or is it a polished vs brushed thing? Which would be weird in my opninion.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

Breitling changed the case back on Blackbirds about 6 months into making them. they said it was the polished caseback was easier to refinish and took less time when doing a servicing

the casebacks drove me nuts when i was 1st looking to buy my blackbird. with all the fakes out there i had to find out what the deal was.

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Breitling Steelfish,Breitling Skyland,Breitling Blackbird

If you could please elaborate...It started with the large Blackbird correct? Also which one changed etc? Im confused.. Sorry

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

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Breitling Chrono Avenger Black Dial whit Pro II Ti, Diver Pro I
Breitling BlackBird Big Date brushed whit SS Bracelet, brown croco
Breitling BlackBird Blacksteel 528/2000 Whit Dp2 Deployment
Omega Planet Ocean Chrono 9300 Co-axial Ceramic on SS bracelet

ok this came from someone that works for breitling
The Blackbird ref: A44359 has two case back designs. The original has the raised "Breitling & Blackbird" design. This style was so well received at the Basel show it went into production. In reality this style with raised polished wording and satin below is quite difficult to refinish properly. Mid to late in the year of production it was changed to what is now the version with engraved wording

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Breitling Steelfish,Breitling Skyland,Breitling Blackbird

This is what I always thought: the first blackbird was made between 95 and 04.. Breitling re-introduced the Blackbird for 2007. (this is the part i'm only 75% sure on..) Before the end of the first year of it's return, Breitling changed the case back due to the difficulty to refinish the back. (burshing, masking, polishing etc..) I don't know if my facts are 100% correct, but I was pretty sure that this was the case.


haha, yup. addamlh posted right before me....

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Breitling Emergency Mission-- Breitling B01--
Chronomatic 24H-- Skyland Blacksteel-- Navitimer World--
Emergency Ti-- Chronomat Evo-- Airwolf-- Skyracer Raven
Bentley GMT-- Motors Speed

yes you are rite. now here are a few photos of the very 1st blackbird from 94ish

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Breitling Steelfish,Breitling Skyland,Breitling Blackbird

Hey I'd love to post pics if only someone could point me to a reasonably priced digital for dummies.

The newest caseback has the standard Breitling engraved caseback with "Blackbird" among the "Manufactured in Swiss.." engraving but in larger print. Anyway that's what mine has.

I looked at the brushed finish but it didn't work for me. It would be a much nicer watch if the extra facets were polished and selected edges of the case polished. As it was the brushed was disappointing. The rather unadorned dial gets swallowed up in the satin bezel, but the polished bezel makes the dial pop.

I am by no means wedded to polished SS watches however and I've received as many if not more "ooohs and aaahs" from a steelfish as anything else. Of course who would buy and wear a watch for empty adulations??? Certainly not me.

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SHARKMAN

These pics are crap but the best I have tonight. At least you can see the caseback design.

http://s785.photobucket.com/albums/yy133/sharkman_photos/Blackbird/

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SHARKMAN