Breitling Watches
 

Couldn't think of a better forum than the rotor heads for this question (we're good at these sort of things)

Do any of you wear breitling wathes and which ones?

And, to anybody who owns a B1 - Why is the outer biezel qeared to the outer biezel of the flight computer (after 1 revolution they do not line up) ???

Please God, anybody who knows the answer to the second question let me know?

Thank you

RHM

I didn't know helicopter pilots could afford Breitlings? ;)

I understand that it's a flight safety thing.

The immense weight helps you get the collective down faster in the event of an engine failure.

I have a had a few.....

Now on a Chronomat Blackbird special edition.

You will not find a better watch!!! :)

Cheers,

A poor ATCO

After 28 years in this business and numerous cheap watches, I thought it was time I treated myself to the best. The B-1, is a great watch, has all the functions you will ever need and then some. Not sure why the inner bezel is geared, but it really doesn't matter as the outer and inner rings have 2 completely different uses, and of course at my age reading the small numbers is my biggest problem. If the size is an issue for you, you may want to wait till the new edition of the AEROSPACE comes out. It has almost every feature of the B1 at half the weight since it is titanium. You can check out this link

http://www.watchuseek.com/forums.htm

There will be someone there that will be able to answer all your questions.

Ive had my B1 for 2 years and only had a few problems. The question about the bezel, not too sure, i know exactly what you mean though. I got the B1 cleaned and serviced recently, and it came back as if it were new! Absolute stunning job. There isnt a function on the watch that do not use frequently! Go for it, you only live once!

If you'e a Blue Eagle, they give you one ! :cool:

So where's the cheapest place to buy a Breitling?

Not so much the cheapest place, but the better deal (There is a difference!) is with Alexanders of Farnham (and other locations)

Ask about the 0% finance and 100% P/X deal :)

I got an Aerospace from my wife for my 40th. Would not have dreamt of spending that much on myself, but I am very pleased to have it. The Aerospace is relatively slim and light, just a minute bezel ( Unlikely to seriously use the slide rule anyway), but is robust enough to wear all the time. Worth the money? If you can spare it why not. If it means kids don't go to college I guess not.

As one who has done damage to many watches. I still have my Rolex GMT Master. When Im out of the country I use the new Casio Pathfinder www.casio.com . It tells time and if Im on the ground it tells me which direction not to go.........Casio is cheapest by shopping the internet.
Best place I have found for both Rolex and Breitling is in the U.S. Virgin Islands. A.H. Riise is the store that has the franchise for Rolex. Breitling is either there or Little Switzerland. Either way the prices can be negotiated a bit and no tax. Know what you want before you go looking as neither is cheap.

Breitling Watches -Cheapest in UK
 

Check out AATIME at www.aatime.com - they seem to be the cheapest for Breitling. ie a Breitling Navitimer with a steel strap -every shop in the UK £3,040 -they sell them for £2,260 and they say they offer 6 months interest free credit if you want it. I have not brought a watch from them (discovered it after I'd brought mine!) so can't comment on service etc but they do say they come with full warranty etc. Anyone had any experience of this company ? comments etc

Hong Kong the Cheapest?
 

Recently had a Swiss pilot working for us for a short time in Hong Kong. He bought a Breitling while he was here. Said it was much cheaper than in Switzerland. I bought a Chrono Superocean for 1124 pounds at the same shop. It is listed on the aatime.com web site for 1610 pounds. You could just about pay for your holiday in Hong Kong with the savings. And yes, they are definitely genuine (unlike my Bolex Yachtmaster).

I'm happy to check on local prices if anyone is contemplating buying a Breitling in Hong Kong. Just pm me.

I hate to put a downer on this but did you know that the actual movement inside the beloved Breitling is worth about Euro 15,- and mass produced, albeit in Switzerland?
Makes you wonder doesn't it.
Saying that I still like them and I'd like one, they do have the best styling in my opinion but I'm loath to pay around 2k for that.

Funny you should say that - I once took a lookalike Omega into a watch shop for repair, and he said that the movement inside was a rolex.

Phil

Thank you for your great response so far (i knew there was only one forum for this question!)

Am still wondering why my B1 has a geared biezel though?

A little further explanation - The "very" outer biezel is geared to the outer biezel of the flight computer. One rotation of the biezel and they do not line up?

Any ideas please post and let us know,

RHM

Breitling
 

I thought K-L far East was the cheapest last time I looked or is that a long haul secret.

Get it checked if not an auth dealer, have been known to get original case but fake mech from all around the globe.

RHM;

I own a B2, the mechanical one with the same bezel as the B1. Mine wasn't in alignment on purchase (in Norwich, unfortunately duty free was out of the question) Owned it now three years and the bezel is in exactly the same alignment as when my ex bought it for me. A beautiful posession it feels wonderful every day when I put it on, much nicer than my old Rolex.

VH

Have had my B1 for a couple of years now. The only gripe I have is that I've put two batteries in it in that time, thought they might last longer than that. It may have been in the shop for a while with the first battery I suppose.

With regard to the geared bezel, a full 360 degree rotation of the bezel turns the outer ring of the flight computer about 440 degrees. Maybe it's just to speed up the process, it just may save you valuable seconds when calculating that fuel burn!

I have also just had my B1 returned after a battery and service. They polished it too, looks like new again. They did try and tell me that it needed a new crystal (flash name for the glass!) as it was scratched but at AUS$265.00 I gave it a miss. I'm buggered if I can find any marks on the crystal!

Just buy one!

Cheers,

Hollywood :cool:

Hi Capt Hollywood,

Thanks for your reply,

I have also recently had the battery changed on my b1...How much did you use functions on it though, like the backlight 3 times a day will use more power?

Nice idea with the biezel - More than possible as it speeds up rotation both ways!


Im interested to know how much you paid for the service - have heard many people say it came back like new?

I love my B1 to bits but I wish it could have the date and the time togther (one on the top and one on the bottom display)

Thanks for your response,

RHM