The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'd just like to say that I really like the look of these. They look like what Breitlings core watches should look like.

The bezel has echoes of the old Chrono Superocean calibre 13 or Superocean cal. 17 42mm, the extra bevel on the lugs, simplified dial.... It's all good to me!

My favourites are the blue dial and steel model
and also the black ceramic night mission... which seems to take some influence from IWC top gun (another favourite).

Nice one Breitling!

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

I generally like them, but, as ever, I have pros and cons with this release. (I'm only concentrating on the chrono version here).

Pros -
- Great to see the B01 in the Avenger line.
- The 6 o'clock date position.
- The ceramic, forged carbon dial, Night Mission model looks great (especially with the numerals on the dial).
- Not too much of a departure design-wise from the old model.
- All pretty decent colourways.

Cons -
- The biggest issue for me (and it over-rides all the pros TBH) is the size - it looks very big when I took a screenshot and sized it 1:1 on my phone. Personally I'd like to see more B01 chronos in the 40-42mm range these days.
- The models with batons look like there's a lot of empty real estate on the dial. In fact, I'm not a fan of Breitling's drive towards dial simplification, and function/spec reduction, in general. Kern himself has said the Avenger is now “sporty chic” and “less aggressive” than the previous versions. To me, that kind of thing just make Breitling more like any other fashion brand instead of the niche aviation-focussed brand of old. I know brands sometimes have to diversify or die, but the whole “Instruments for Professionals” thing was what first attracted me to Breitling, so I’m still sad to see that go.
- I was hoping the "filler" between the lugs (like on the old Chrono Avenger) would be brought back as that used to help prevent unsightly gaps when wearing the watch on a strap.
- Not a deal-breaker this one, but I would've quite liked the Wings logo to have remained for the Avenger line.

I was really looking forward to this release, and I DO like it quite a bit, but the size is the killer for me as I'm much more into smaller, thinner watches these days - 40-42mm diameter, sub-50mm lug to lug, and a thickness of no more than 13mm or so.

Obviously I'll have to see it in person, but initial thoughts are "fairly nice, but too big".

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I also have strong pros and cons (and a "neutral") towards the renewed Avenger collection.

Let me begin with the
cons:
- the deal breaker for me is the size. I'd be happy to see Breitling chronographs in the 40-41 mm range. Not only because nowadays (fortunately) a re-sizing turn from the over-sized watches seems to be alive but for small-to-average wrists like mine (17 cm) does not take up larger watches for everyday (=office) use. This size would come of course with a matching, shorter lug-to-lug size (under 50 mm) and a bit thinner case (keeping at least 200 m WR) and these are also positive changes.
- I'd also be way happier with a day-date featured ETA 7750 (cal. 13) version added as an option to the B01 in the mentioned 40-41 mm size. Breitling offered (partly offer) a choice of chronographs with both calibers (I mean the Aviator 8 and the SuperOcean Heritage) and that is a good thing. Lots of persons need the week-day feature on their watches, me too. So far the smallest swimmable (=min. 100 m WR) day-date chrono with turning bezel used to be 42 mm (the CSO), while other manufacturers offered such from 38-39 mm. Sweet spot for many is 40 mm. Now this offer from Breitling is at 44 mm with a long lug-to-lug distance.
- B01: 1. functions: the very best would be a decent additional weekday feature and with a central 60-minute counter. With that, a weekday feature with a sub-dial at 3 could be beautiful and make a symmetrical dial. Without the centra minute counter a co-axial subdial week-day indicator at 6 would be also nice. The most traditional dial would come with a Valjoux 72C layout... and the very best would be a fly-back feature upon all these... I know that caliber complications development costs a fortune but these are "small complications" and nothing to invent from scratch, they can be even outsourced. 2. Escapement: AFAIK the silicone parts patent has already expired and so Breitling can (and should finally) catch up with the main competing brands, resulting in higher antimagnetism and even better daily rates, with using a balance bridge instead of balance cock further enhancing the rates. Of course these upgraded movements could/should also be used for other Breitling watch collections.

And now the
pros:
- case design is perfect.
- bezel design is perfect, with 0-60 count-up engraving.
- bidirectional bezel is the way to go: easier and quicker use with less ratchet mechanism use and thus longer ratchet lifetime - and this is not a hardcore diver's watch.
- chrono pusher design is highly welcome: not as prominent as the earlier round design, while seems to be a little bit less prone to take up hits, that is these pushers are more defended from smashes.
- brushed surfaces with only a touch of polished elements.
- nicely integrated date at 6.
- quick-micro-adjust clasp with double pushers (I do not know the exact micro-adjust range but it can be around 10 mm or more, that is long enough to use it 4 seasons without taking or adding a bracelet link twice a year.

And a
neutral:
- "B" instead of the wings: I like both and have Breitling chronographs with both (2 Grand Premiers with the "B", Chronomat 41, Steelfish Chrono and Aerospace Avantage with the wings). I don't mind a tad more "empty" dial but with the mentioned smaller watch case the dial would look less "empty" with the "B".

Summary: a very promising renewed modell family, waiting for the 40-41 mm version with the day-date 7750! (Blackeye-Blue for me...)

Sorry for the long post...
Best,
Robert

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Current: Breitling Chronomat 41, Steelfish Chrono BEB dials, CSO I. Japan Limited, Grand Premiers both dials, Aerospace Avantage, IWC Aquatimer 3719 3767, Fliegerchrono 3705, Sinn 103 St plexy

Hey guy, how you been? I was at my AD picking up a Chronomat GMT on the 31st. The owner, I won’t mention the AD name, brought out the new aeromarine line for me to look at a day early. I was fairly impressed. I really liked the “sand” dial on the one new Avenger Chrono. Sadly, I have long since written off watches of that size. Definite upgrade for the line tho.

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SHARKMAN

Wow, here's a name from the past! This thread was the first time I'd logged on for months, so it's good to see you around Sharky! Just need Roff to put in an appearance now.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

What’s up Driver? First time here in a long time for me. I’ve been more into bang for the buck pieces these days. Like Mido, Lorier, Baltic, Formex, Longines, Hammy, even an Rado, etc. But I fell in love with the British Racing Green dial Chronomat GMT. And I never had a bullet bracelet before. Oh well. And a GO PML still has a spot on the winders

I have been in contact with Scott.

I guess the Caribbean has Roff now.

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SHARKMAN

Saw the new 3 hand Avenger at my AD last week. Size was nice at42 mm, great brushed case and bracelet. Thin profile and the new micro adjust ratchet clasp were pluses. No wings though .

Anyway didn’t purchase but saw this in the used case, just back from Breitling full service. Had to have it, been looking for one of these for many years…




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Whoa look who made an appearance back on the bsource!! Hope all is well. I recently picked up the new Avenger Night Mission, amazing piece. Finally a ceramic Breitling, never thought I’d see the day. Wish it was slightly smaller but still loving it none the less.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"