Every time I look at Breitling (about 90% of their watches), I don't like the designs - I think they're too busy. It gives me a headache to even try to read them.
Do the members at WUS exclusively post Navitimer photos then? I'm commenting as to EVERY Breitling watch I've seen here at WUS. If the folks here only post Navitimers, then I guess that's what I think is too busy.
Funny, while busy, the Navitimer is the only Breitling I've ever liked. I can honestly say there isn't one other watch they make that I would wear, just not a fan of their designs.
I agree to some extent. I had a transocean which i think was fantastic. Im not a fan of their 45mm super avenger or something like that. Hose ones are wayy too blinged out for my tastes.
The Superocean Heritage 42 (non-chronograph) is an appealing design, as would be the Transocean Day & Date if it was date-only. IMHO the latter is a good example of how Breitling tends to add an extra element of clutter that detracts from an otherwise good design.
The Transocean Date was the model that finally enticed me to buy a Breitling, followed later by a Superocean Heritage. Nothing else in their lineup appeals to me other than the Transocean chrono, but I find it too similar in style to my Speedy Pro to justify adding it to the collection. It's a shame they messed up the design of the Transocean Date less than a year after its introduction by adding the day complication and ruining what was a timeless, clean design... I guess they just couldn't help themselves. Here's the original version of the contemporary Transocean (the vintage Transocean is a stunner, too).
I agree that they tend to be busy, but I think you have to keep in mind their heritage as a technical, aviation inspired tool/instrument watch. In a sense, it's kinda like saying "dress" watches are too simple.
My opinion is that Breitling like Hublot is more like a "Marmite" watch manufacturer.
Although Breitling has some nice looking models. I am not a fan. Every watchbrands have hits and a couple of misses, even Rolex.(Yachmaster II)
I really like the navitimer for the fact it can be your backup slide-rule E6-B (pilots know what this is). But if you actually tried to use it in a small plane, you would most likely corkscrew yourself into the ground. Its always nice to add this one to a collection though.
Generally not a fan either. When I was younger, I liked the navitimer, but not much since I passed 30 years old. There is a design element that I find just overdone. Even many of their simpler models have overly large arabic numbers.
Too busy? I think not. Tough to generalize each brand with a broad brush. That's why so many brands and styles within a brand. There's a watch out there for everyone!
Whatever it is Breitling have made a good living selling busy dialled watches with polished cases so I suppose you could say they found their niche.
I personally really like their Transoceans and their Superocean Heritage, rarely mentioned but IMHO equivalent or better than some forum favourites from Tudor and Omega.
That is my general take on Breitling's offerings as well. In fact, when I got my Transocean, posted earlier in this thread, I was not planning to look at the Breitling case at all. My wife looked in it and called my attention to the Transocean. I am glad she did. I would never, in a million years, have thought modern Breitling would have made a watch so different in character than most of its offerings, but they did and it was worth a look.
Breitling is the brand that got me into watches but I do agree that their designs are an acquired taste. I also think that the designs also went a bit odd 5-7 years ago but are now starting to get back on form - see the Transoceanic range and the Chronomat Airborne.
I love them because they are robust, high quality sports watches.
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