Kern Works His Magic at Breitling

JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:55 am

The successful turnaround of Breitling is well on its way to fruition...

Who sucks at their job?

Post by **logan2z** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:05 am

Ironically, Hodinkee published a story today about the new, brushed Chronomat B01 Chronograph, crediting the company's new 'design language' to Kern. The new Chronomat definitely looks less blingy than the old offerings. I like the contrasting subdials but hate the crown...

JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:09 am

I like that one more than most. However, the crown (as you say) and especially the bezel are really ugly. Unfortunately, that particular ugly bezel design is a traditional element for the brand.

On edit - those crown guards are really goofy as well.

Post by **matt.wu** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:09 am

The Chronomat isn't bad, but they stripped the iconic Navitimer line of a lot of it's identity. If I didn't know anything about the business behind the company, I'd think it looks an awful lot like what happens when a Chinese company buys a brand name (like Anonimo).

Post by **logan2z** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:14 am

JP Chestnut wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:09 am
On edit - those crown guards are really goofy as well.

Yup

JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:25 am

The hits keep on coming

46mm with an impressive 30m WR.

I wouldn't have thought a bezel design worse than the ball bearing design in the OP would have been possible.

That watch looks like a cheap micro. A BAD cheap mirco.

Panerai7 · Post by **Panerai7** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:30 am

Not stellar. Hmm, was hoping he'd bring Breitling into the 21st century

JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:32 am

Panerai7 wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:30 am
Not stellar. Hmm, was hoping he'd bring Breitling into the 21st century

Be careful what you wish for

Perfect watches for a post-apocalyptic shithole

Steve O. · Post by **Steve O.** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:46 am

The Navitimer looks like shiny little beads have been glued to the edge. All they need now is glitter. Ugh.

Panerai7 · Post by **Panerai7** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:49 am

They tapped out with titanium Chrono Avenger back in 1998

JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:53 am

Steve O. wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:46 am
The Navitimer looks like shiny little beads have been glued to the edge. All they need now is glitter. Ugh.

Something like this...

jimyritz · Post by **jimyritz** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 2:34 pm

I don't get it-- as said above- reminds of what happened when Anonimo was sold.

I thought they were going to introduce some vintage based designs, shrink the sizes down back to 40-44MM, and eliminate
some of the awful case designs.

the case on the destro above looks like a can opener..

stonehead887 · Post by **stonehead887** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 3:52 pm

JP Chestnut wrote:The hits keep on coming

46mm with an impressive 30m WR.

I wouldn't have thought a bezel design worse than the ball bearing design in the OP would have been possible.

That watch looks like a cheap micro. A BAD cheap mirco.

This just looks like a Bell and Ross WW2 rip off.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

drster · Post by **drster** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:24 pm

The beaded bezel is taken from the original 806 Navitimers. Those were chronographs however.

JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:25 pm

There’s apparently a normal looking Navi with the in house movement sized 43mm.

Nellipj · Post by **Nellipj** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:20 pm

JP Chestnut wrote:There’s apparently a normal looking Navi with the in house movement sized 43mm.

That would be this one. It’s nice, but not $9160 nice!

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JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:24 pm

Hm... $9,000? NO.

I wonder if Tudor/Rolex will provide parts for indie service on these movements when Breitling goes out of business?

JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:46 pm

There's some serious IWC in this one:

But it's not a bad example of a piss lume watch.

Panerai7 · Post by **Panerai7** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:51 pm

That's not bad but I don't get that bezel

Dedalus · Post by **Dedalus** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:55 pm

stonehead887 wrote:
JP Chestnut wrote:The hits keep on coming

46mm with an impressive 30m WR.

I wouldn't have thought a bezel design worse than the ball bearing design in the OP would have been possible.

That watch looks like a cheap micro. A BAD cheap mirco.
This just looks like a Bell and Ross WW2 rip off.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

Apparently this watch was inspired by a WWII stopwatch, Ref. 637 (bezel and crown location take their cues from this reference). This explains the design ideas behind the Navi Super 8, but how do you explain 46mm? 🤪

JP Chestnut · Post by **JP Chestnut** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:57 pm

Panerai7 wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:51 pm
That's not bad but I don't get that bezel

Nobody does. It's probably based on some ugly old design, that's supposed to be cool because it's old. In reality, it's just ugly.

Panerai7 · Post by **Panerai7** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:06 pm

JP Chestnut wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:57 pm

Panerai7 wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:51 pm
That's not bad but I don't get that bezel
Nobody does. It's probably based on some ugly old design, that's supposed to be cool because it's old. In reality, it's just ugly.

It's also just useless, is it supposed to mimic some faded road rash? Didn't work

Ruggs · Post by **Ruggs** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:17 pm

Damn these look like shit!

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jimyritz · Post by **jimyritz** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:24 pm

The pricing of these is ridiculous..

dinexus · Post by **dinexus** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:28 pm

Always wondered what a 3-handed Navi would look like – definitely ain't mad, I think it looks great.

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