Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Breitlings Navitimer is one of those models that is being regarded as an iconic watch. Like Rolex Daytona or Omegas Speedmaster, the Navitimer is right up there as well. The big difference is though, that I find it quite difficult to determine what the most original Navitimer is of the models available today. Breitling does not celebrate its Navitimer like Omega does with their Speedmaster, or make simply one available model like the Rolex Daytona.According to the Breitling website, their Breitling Navitimer Heritage is a commemorative model to the original Navitimer from 1952. However, this is a special edition, which makes me wonder if it is a model that is always there or that it is a tim [...]

It's now been well over a year since the arrival of Georges Kern as CEO of Breitling.? The first releases after his arrival fell into the new Navitimer 8 series and while they were nice, some felt that they were a touch plain.Personally speaking, I like them and I think the neutral reception from most was based more upon the shock of seeing Breitlings that weren't in the vein of the blingy Bentley series than anything else.? Still, it was clear that the watch world was waiting for something earth shaking and triumphant as a result of Kern's leadership.? While today's subject still likely lacks the shock and awe that most seemingly desire, a closer look will hopefully convince you that Breitl [...]

Following the cancellation of the Geneva Automotive Salon and Breitling Summit, during which Breitling had planned to launch the new Breitling for Bentley Premier Mulliner Limited Edition, a new communication strategy was quickly put in place. Unusually, it had nothing to do with the communications department of the brand.You can say what you like about Georges Kern, but since hes come on board, Breitling has been nothing short of dynamic. That personally-driven dynamism continued as the effervescent CEO leaked news of his brands latest release via his personal Instagram account. This follows the pattern of the Breitling 765 AVI 1953 Re-edition?announcement. Although it may cause a serious h [...]

Wow, have things changed at Breitling. A few short years ago, if I told you that reasonably sized, gorgeous manual wind chronographs were on the horizon, would you have believed me? Well, the Premier Chronograph 40 line is hereMy how the worm has turned regarding Breitling. Just several short years ago, the brand seemed intent on producing the biggest most garish watches on the planet. Since that time, bit by bit, the quality releases have just kept coming. Watches like the Premier, the Chronomat, the Aviator 8, and the Superocean Heritage 57 are just some of the renaissance pieces. Breitling has faithfully grasped its heritage while focusing on finishing that can easily party with other bra [...]

The third model in the Breitling Premier Heritage Collection is the new Premier Datora 42. This is the most complicated model within the series, so lets take a look.Theres no doubt that today is a big day for Breitling. The brand has released three distinct new models within its new Premier Heritage Collection. Theres the manual wind Premier Chronograph, the sublime manual wind Premier Duograph rattrapante, and the Premier Datora 42. In this article, we focus on the latter and, once again, were impressed.A quick look backJust like the other Breitling Heritage models, the Premier Datora 42 takes its inspiration from the brands back catalog. Fred lent another picture of a 40s Datora reference [...]

The Breitling Premier Heritage Collection rolls on in serious style with the new Premier Duograph 42. Can someone say, in-house, manual wind, rattrapante?The Breitling Premier Heritage Collection is quickly becoming one of my favorites. This group of watches is made up of a beautiful manual wind chronograph, the Datora moonphase chronograph, and now the Premier Duograph 42. If youre into classic chrongraphs and complications, this new Breitling just might be the ticket.Some history and other examplesBefore we get to the new Premier Duograph 42, lets spend a moment on the Duograph name. This model name was given to Breitling chronographs with a rattrapante complication. That function gives th [...]

With the new management at the helm at Breitling and the increased focus on appealing to Far-Eastern customers, you'd be forgiven for assuming classically styled timepieces, such as the Premier, were destined to become the norm.Whilst Breitling is streamlining their collection, masculine timepieces tied to the military still have a strong resonance with the Breitling community.New AvengersContinuing the Summit' ethos, whereby Breitling uses their own platforms to announce new watches to their own schedule, a slew of revitalised and reenergised Avenger models were unveiled in October 2019. A noticeable facelift on the new Avenger was the bezel with fewer numerals on the scale, save only for t [...]

I had this Breitling Navitimer92 on a blue monday. Admitted, a stainless steel / gold combination with a blue leather shark strap wasnt probably the best choice I had made in a long time. After a week I flipped it (and advertizing with that type of watch is good for a few anecdotes itself) for another watch. Although I was pretty sure I was very Navitimer-ish, this 92 model in gold/steel didnt do the trick. Should have gotten the regular Old Navitimer or the vintage ref.806 model instead. Chances are big I still would have it in my collection.Long gone but not forgotten is a Navitimer ancestor, the Breitling Aviastar. This watch was only in production from late 1996 till 1998 and actually a [...]

With the latest special edition release, the Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito bolsters the brands lineup while taking a look backwards.The way of the (watch) world today appears to require a steady stream of new releases.? With near-instantaneous supplies of news, social media posts, and endless collaborations between brands and influencers, it seems that the only way to succeed is to join in the torrid pace.? Gone are the days of the annual watch shows and then waiting another 12 months for the next stream of products.? Its pretty funny because the formerly (albeit sometimes still) antiquated watch industry held true to this annual pace of introduction up until just a few short years ago.? But [...]

Breitling Chronoliner Vintage InspiredOur vintage?guy?Michael Stockton did a huge item on vintage Breitling watches a while ago (you can find it here) where he discussed these watches in-depth with some world renown?subject matter experts.Having that said, I have no deep knowledge on vintage Breitling watches but this new Breitling Chronoliner clearly shows some influences from their rich heritage. Sure, the limited edition we show you here is in gold but theres also a stainless steel version with panda-like dial. That model reminded me of one of the watch in the article from Michael Stockton to be honest: a Breitling Unitime AVI 1765 (image below by @WatchFred).Perhaps the older CP AVI ref [...]

While it's often overlooked or under discussed when people talk about the most beautiful vintage chronographs, the Breitling Chronomat 808 warrants consideration.It would be easy to cast this watch aside as a less-equipped version of the far more popular Navitimer, but as we'll see, that's a patently unfair categorization. In terms of both intent and history, the Chronomat is truly a significant watch.I've waited a long time to write a dedicated article on the Breitling Chronomat 808. We've featured the model as part of the Breitling Experts Interview article from a couple years back, but there's been little said since. The reason is pretty simple; the culmination of my procrastination and t [...]

In this week's TBT, we take a look at an absolute classic, but one that's decidedly niche in its execution: the Breitling 809 Cosmonaute. The Cosmonaute is certainly one of the brand's better known models, but that's likely due to its familial resemblance to one Breitling's most famous creations: the Navitimer. Today, we'll explore the model, its significance and, of course, I'll prattle on a bit, but this time about why instant gratification is such a rare and beautiful thing. T-minus 3 2 1 it's TBT time on Fratello Watches!The Breitling 809 Cosmonaute head onI found the Breitling 809 Cosmonaute by accidentAs promised, let's start with a ramble because I think it helps demonstrate what ca [...]

We won't travel far into the past for today's TBT. The Breitling Spatiographe lived quite a short life between 1997-2002 and it holds a very special place in my collection. It sits as the?lonely wolf among numerous pre-1980s watches and a decent bunch of modern timepieces. What an undervalued watch!Looking back, it does not necessarily mean we have to jump seven decades in the past to show you something spectacular. We haven't featured many young-timers born around the 1990s on TBT, but today we are about to change that. The Breitling Spatiographe is a pretty unusual piece that is often easily overlooked. It has the typical strong Navitimer design DNA but comes with a bit of a twist.Witty [...]

I thought I was an as-found kind of a watch collector. Just get a watch serviced, and thats it. That was until I found a beautifully patinated all-black Gallet Multichron 12 with a portion of lume missing from the minute hand. That got me thinking should I relume or not?What was I to do? One part of me wanted to keep it that way as almost a sign of respect for what the watch was. Now, I dont want to overcomplicate the sentiment here, but just as I dont try to change people and I take them as-is, I always thought Id prefer to take a watch with all of its dents, scratches, and even little cracks on its Plexiglass crystal.Missing lumeHonestly, I had not faced this dilemma before because I alway [...]

Fratello On Air is here, and we finally get around to answering a readers question about vintage chronograph movements. Are there differences? Which do we like best? We attempt to answer some of these questions in a chatty, non-technical way. We hope you enjoy it!Balazs and Mike love a good reader question, and after over a month of travel and tackling different subjects, it was time to respond. Our reader sent us a question about vintage chronograph movements. Which do we like, are there differences, and should some be avoided? Well, we arent watchmakers, so the technical discussion is light. Still, little differences find their way into the conversation along with some of our favorite watc [...]

At the end of the 1955 Farnborough Airshow, the British Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, flew in an Avro Vulcan bomber. Though most pilots were bundled up in military flight suits and helmets, one figure stood out, cutting a dash in his tailored Savile Row business suit, shirt, and tie. It was the Vulcans flamboyant pilot, Wing Commander Roland Roly Falk, and that was his standard flying garb.Overalls were from the biplane and propeller era. Falk saw the modern jet cockpit as an extension of his office and dressed accordingly. One of the maxims he applied to an aircraft was, If it looks good, then it will fly well. This was certainly true of the Avro Vulcan, which Roly also piloted on its m [...]

Its time for another episode of Fratello On Air, and wow, do we have news In fact, we have so much news that our New-Watch Rundown will consist of two episodes. Enjoy the first one!Tis the season for all the debuts. Balazs and Mike are here with a new-watch rundown Its not just Watches Wonders 2022 here, though, because a plethora of brands have come to the table.Mission to SaturnHandgelenks KontrolleAs always, the duo kick things off with a bit of banter about Balazss trip to Miami with Maurice Lacroix and then move on to the Handgelenks Kontrolle. Mike is wearing his fresh-off-the-delivery-truck Aquastar Deepstar Mid-Size chronograph. Stay tuned for a hands-on review Balazs takes a trip t [...]

For modern and vintage watch fans alike, the word Breitling typically draws the mind to one watch the Navitimer. Yes, the Navitimer is THE Breitling for most, and hyperbole doesnt enter the picture when saying its one of the most iconic chronographs of all time. Now, five years into a Breitling revival, we finally have a new rendition of this important watch.Breitling has come a long way since the arrival of Georges Kern in 2017. The popular brand has methodically updated just about every single one of its product lines during this period. Under Kerns leadership, Breitling has upped the finishing of its watches, restored model lines like the Chronomat, and has created some epic vintage reiss [...]

For the past few years, there's been one thing you can bank on: Breitling nailing its new releases. Under George Kern, the brand has gone from strength to strength, leaving a rocky start to the relationship that saw the startling redesign of the Navitimer in its rearview mirror. Now, the focus is on the AVI collection, which has, over the past couple of years, defined its own design language with aplomb. Today, we're taking a look at five of the new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph 46 GMT watches. But be warned they are not for the faint-hearted.Using the original 1953 Co-Pilot ref.765 AVI as its base, Breitling has released five chronographs inspired by four iconic fighter planes. There [...]

Last year, Breitling launched the new Super AVI collection in five editions, each paying homage to a legendary aircraft. Appropriately, the launch took place at the National Aviation Education Center in Dallas. And even more fittingly, expert pilots wore the namesake models in flight to reflect their vintage planes. Breitling sure likes to amp up the theatrics Following the flashy unveiling, I spent some time with the Super AVI and came to realize something: Breitling has the most legible, mechanical chronograph GMT on the market. I recognize this epiphany reflects a niche within a niche, but Ive got to give credit where credit is due. In this article, I delve into what I mean by its legibil [...]