WCU #54: Reviving a Brand: Breitling’s Resurgence 

The world gets classier every time he says "whilst."

Seriously, a split second watch for $7k. Considering my local AD gives a 15% discount, that’s a steal.

Some of their latest releases have genuinely been fantastic! They're also becoming more wearable

Loving what Breitling are doing, they really are making some great decisions and producing some very appealing watches. Great report thanks.

I love the Breitling Super ocean 44 and the Avenger. Have the 44 its awesome 👌I'm would love if Breitling did a dress watch model's sometime in the future.

Breitling was not really on my radar as a brand.. but those beautiful reissues with in house movements changed the game completely! I’m in the process of hopefully getting one soon 🙏👍🏻🙌🏻

Very good over view of a historic brand poised to make a come back.

Your absolutely right about the split second. I mean, I sit around all day looking at watch channels and press packages and reviews and I cant think of any other 6000 "rattrepante" with a quality name on it.

Rolex wasn't making their own in-house movements until 2004 when they bought the factory that made their movements.

I really like the recent Breitling's products as the new Premier chronos and the Chronomat line.

they need to bring back the blue dial COLT!!!!!!

I really like the direction that Breitling is going! Especially because I have a smaller wrist and 42mm is my absolute upper limit with a short lug to lug. I agree that a lot of Breitling's pieces from the '90s and early 2000s are.... a little much but there are exceptions. I am extremely lucky to have 2 Breitlings that I think fit that bill, A quartz Navitimer Jupiter Pilot from 1989 that my father bought new right before his check-ride exam for his pilot's license. And a 1999-2004 Aerospace Titanium which is also a quartz watch but it packs a serious punch in terms of complications, it has something like 6 or 7 depending on what you count as a complication and it's a "super quartz" so it's +/- 15sec a year which is really nice. Both of these watches are very wearable with lug to lugs under 47mm, They both have simple finishes and imo scream "I'm a tool watch, not a showoff watch". Hopefully, one day I will be in a position financially to afford a new Breitling with their B01 movement!

Firstly, I think that these podcasts are some of the best researched and insightful out there and this was no exception. In terms of Breitling, I think that they are the most interesting mid tier brand around at the moment and are nowhere near getting the attention that they deserve. In the eyes of many Rolex, Omega and Tudor are all thats out there but Tudor isn't on the same planet as Breitling when you look at the diversity and quality of pieces Breitling are making now. Some of the watches shown here are absolutely stunning.

I'm interested in Breitling for the first time since i got into the hobby 15 yrs ago. Totally agree with your insight that Breitling is astute to have realized that design/aesthetics are far more important than complications to the vast majority of luxury watch buyers. Panerai could use leadership like this to revitalize their brand, which has lost its way.

Interesting content. Regards.

Love what Breitling is doing these days! It is often said that Tudor will become what Rolex was in the past: a manufacturer of premium tool watches. In my opinion Breitling will be exactly that, instead of Tudor.

another spot on video

Loved it !!!

Excellent review!

Breitling is on Fire 🔥. Too bad I have a small wrist. But that Premiere Pistachio is delicious. Great video bro!

Great content as ever. Your passion and knowledge shines through. Do you think the trend for longer and longer power reserved is a good or bad thing. Personally I think it's bad as a movement is an engine and how many engines do you know that work 24/7? I think letting the watch wind down would extend the service periods.

Great discussion. I've never owned a Breitling and have been put off the brand by their gaudy design and brash, wannabe image since the 1990s. For me, this negative image outweighed the classic models in their range. But now I see huge improvements. A tremendous range from affordable (though expensive for 2824 base) to upper-mid that is unmatched within the Big 4. And finally - some great designs that draw on their illustrious past. I'd like to see some more sophisticated modern design (but Breitling are by no means the only offender here - the rest of the Big 4 are increasingly uninventive), but some of these classic models are great and the B01 is a fantastic weapon to have under the hood! With Georges Kern, IWC's loss may be Breitling's gain - I think IWC are foundering, with little creativity and ever higher prices.

Definitely making more desirable models in the last year or so. I'm thinking about adding a one of there chronographs . I wouldn't have considered it a few years ago.

Love my Navitimer!

The Datora models just released by Breitling are really stunning.I just can't figure out why the modern Swiss watch industry can't produce thinner chronographs and complicated watches like they did in the 1940s and 50s.

Help! What do I give my dad on his 80th birthday? I'm considering something in the $750 - $1500 range. The ones I like the best so far is the Tissot Gentlemen Powermatic 80 Silicum and the Longines Flagship Heritage. What do you think about these choices? Any other I should be considering? He's not a watch collector, just someone who deserves a nice watch. He's someone who doesn't like anything too feminine or modern/outlandish looking, and he's someone who mostly wears blue jeans and a checkered shirt, rarely a suit and a tie. He actually likes square/rectangular watches, but I haven't found anyone I like in that price range. I'm sure he would appreciate a nice round one just the same. I'm thankful for your suggestions.

I’m a Breitling guy all the way, but I am waiting for them to make a watch similar to the Aqua Terra or Explorer/Datejust, with a screwdown crown. Wear it for dress or swimming etc. 40-41mm

When I was a kid I wanted to be a fighter pilot, breitling to me was what fighter pilots wore, nowadays they don’t excite me like they used to in the past

I like the direction Kern has taken and going away from the Schneider era of douchey dudes with their airplanes.

Does your battery ever run down? Have you ever worn any of these watches or do you just look at pictures?

Their ETA powered models seem a bit expensive as compared to other quality Swiss brands.

WOW 1st class very kool great info. AAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++ again great video I liked it a lot keep up the great work,, I like Breitling but there watches look kinda klunkey to me ,I do not get that warm an fuzzie feeling on most of there watches

I think of Breitling & I think of big, shiny watches with a complicated dial - modern ones lack what set them apart from other brands - remove the naff truncated B logo and they could be made by any other luxury watch maker. Probably more appealing to the masses (& will ergo sell more, which is the point) but for me they've sold out their identity that made them unique... Not bashing them, the retro relaunch chronographs and superoceans are very beautiful watches, but for me they just don't scream Breitling like they once did. Good topic, Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻

It was the late 2000s when they started to move in a better direction imo.

The hardest name to pronounce, on RU-vid.

They are going in the right direction with a long way to go…

The Breitling Daytora? Is simply the most elegant and beautiful moonphase watch in existence for realistic money (I’m excluding Pateks moon phase of course) and put very simply if your a wanker buy a Rolex (or a would be wanker a Tudor) it not then wear Super Ocean or an Omega 300 or a Fifty Fathoms and know you have a purpose built watch that doesn’t need the owner to have their ego stroked.

Breitling asks too much exchanging too little in return... I hear this conversation since the 2000's, but the truth is that their watches always end up loosing value and interest with time. Their design works for a certain years but then it makes one feel tired and odd. Their quality construction is also low... The Navitimer line is only rated for 3 bar resistance while Sinn makes a very similar watch with 10 bar resistance, in-house movement and a cheaper price... Less 2000 euros... They keep the "aviation-related vibe" marketing, but they tend to forget that aviation doesn't need Breitling anymore. And it won't need it again. Seriously, there is much better and cheaper.

Breitling is an amazing company with a lot of heritage in Horology . I think the macho macho man image of the 90’s has a well earned place in history. Those Wings were always very sexy! I Nevertheless as times change, so do mindsets as well & I believe new approaches are welcome but not just for the sake of satisfying just Asian Folks for purely monetary gain. Of course Kern is basically a corporate investment banker & aims to get as much profit out of the brand 🍋as much as he can & that’s a very slippery slope for the true essence of what’s left f such a beautiful watch Maker.

Breitling: Invicta design grade at Omegas pricing level.

Looks nice over priced for brand RU-vid

Worst. Bezels. Ever. Glad they reigned in their ‘design aesthetic’ before the stone lions made an appearance. Much better look now. Back to basics.

A overwrought and overpriced brand I’ve never been a fan of. But that’s just me.