opinions on Chronomat requested

[mario848]

I'm thinking of adding one in the future, but I was curious what TRF thinks of the model as well as the B01 movement.
I prefer watches with an interesting history, and I believe the Chronomat was the first chronograph with an auto winding mechanism. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Rolex is my favorite brand because of the history of their tool watches, but I would like a few non Rolex models in my collection.
I already own a SO 42 and a 14060m.

[tavv160]

Well, Breitling (along with Buren, Hamilton, Heuer & Dubois-Dupraz) developed the first chronograph module on an automatic movement (Caliber 11). It was actually Zenith who was first with a fully integrated chrono movement, their El Primero. And besides that, it wasn't the Chronomat that was the first automatic chrono Breilting, but the ChronoMatic (with the crown on the left side, and the pushers on the right). Anyways, that as a bit of history.

The B01 is a solid movement and very reliable, in addition to being in-house. I would however not go for a Breitling if interesting history is your thing. Go for a Zenith. The El Primero is one the most historic movements ever made.

I especially love this one:
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/introdu...ouve-ever-seen
It is a re-edition of the original one from 1969. And it is on a leather strap, which I guess you do not have in your collection yet?
Or a AP Royal Oak. That has a lot of history as well. Designed in 1972 by Gerald Genta, and has remained pretty much unchanged since.

[AJSM]

I bought a Chronomat GMT with the B04. I like it a lot. So far I have had no issues. It is just under a year old. I like the fact that it's a in-house movement instead of a up-fitted 7750.

[mario848]

thanks Tony.

I'm trying to find a chronograph that moves me, and your info is great. I love the speedy pro, and my grail is a black dial Daytona. However, I would like to research all options, and I saw a history video on Breitling which portrayed them as an innovator in chronograph technology.

[ippon20]

Originally Posted by tavv160

Well, Breitling (along with Buren, Hamilton, Heuer & Dubois-Dupraz) developed the first chronograph module on an automatic movement (Caliber 11). It was actually Zenith who was first with a fully integrated chrono movement, their El Primero. And besides that, it wasn't the Chronomat that was the first automatic chrono Breilting, but the ChronoMatic (with the crown on the left side, and the pushers on the right). Anyways, that as a bit of history.

The B01 is a solid movement and very reliable, in addition to being in-house. I would however not go for a Breitling if interesting history is your thing. Go for a Zenith. The El Primero is one the most historic movements ever made.

I especially love this one:
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/introdu...ouve-ever-seen
It is a re-edition of the original one from 1969. And it is on a leather strap, which I guess you do not have in your collection yet?
Or a AP Royal Oak. That has a lot of history as well. Designed in 1972 by Gerald Genta, and has remained pretty much unchanged since.

Don't forget to also go for the Zenith if you would like to service your watch twice as much. There is a reason why most manufacturers run at 28,800 bph and not 36,000. It is the "gold" standard. Zenith has spent a lot of their time trying to rewrite history. Take the above info for example, Zenith was late to the AutoChrono movement....therefore they differentiate by being an "innovator" of the integrated automatic chronograph. It's almost laughable. Even Rolex tuned down the Zenith on the 6030 to 28,800...should tell you something. At the end of the day, buy what you like. Don't get wrapped up in the details, every company has a story. If your truly into the history then research and stick with the brand that you most associate with.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by mario848

I'm thinking of adding one in the future, but I was curious what TRF thinks of the model as well as the B01 movement.
I prefer watches with an interesting history, and I believe the Chronomat was the first chronograph with an auto winding mechanism. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Rolex is my favorite brand because of the history of their tool watches, but I would like a few non Rolex models in my collection.
I already own a SO 42 and a 14060m.

I like them and understand that the BO1 is top notch.

[tavv160]

Originally Posted by ippon20

Don't forget to also go for the Zenith if you would like to service your watch twice as much. There is a reason why most manufacturers run at 28,800 bph and not 36,000. It is the "gold" standard. Zenith has spent a lot of their time trying to rewrite history. Take the above info for example, Zenith was late to the AutoChrono movement....therefore they differentiate by being an "innovator" of the integrated automatic chronograph. It's almost laughable. Even Rolex tuned down the Zenith on the 6030 to 28,800...should tell you something. At the end of the day, buy what you like. Don't get wrapped up in the details, every company has a story. If your truly into the history then research and stick with the brand that you most associate with.

Perhaps you should consider reading up a bit more on the topic, because Zenith was actually also the first to announce their AutoChrono, but they just got it to the market a few months later than Breitling and partners. And the integrated chrono was quite an achievement at he time, more than just adding a module. So I do not find it laughable at all. What I do find laughable is that Breitling thinks they are innovators because they (and not even by themselves) made a inferior product (very soon after the introduction it got replaced by Valjoux). And ever since all they did was house a generic ETA-movement in a nice looking case (over 90% of their watches still contain ETA). Yes, they have developed their own in-house movement, but I feel they did so because they had to, as Swatch group is stopping the production of ETA-movements for non-Swatch companies. Not exactly my definition of innovators. Zenith is a manufacture and the fact that Rolex used the EP-movement says enough about the quality of the watch. Yes, it does have more bph and might need more servicing, but you will have one of the most respected and high-quality movements out there.

[ippon20]

Zenith is owned by Louis Vuitton. As is Hublot, take from that what you will.

[tavv160]

Vacheron Constantin, JLC and A Lange & Sohne are owned by Richemont. Doesn't mean they're not a few of the best watches around.

Anyway, this is all completely off topic. To the OP, the Breitling is not a bad watch at all. My personal opinion would be get a Zenith at the same price level. But it is you who has to wear it, so buy what you like most. If you really like the Breitling, get that! You cannot really go wrong with a Breitling. (it may seem that I have been bashing Breitling, but I actually also have one in my collection)

[mario848]

I like Breitling as well, but I am looking for something Horologically interesting. Whether it be by history of model, company, mechanics of movement, etc... I am a beginner, but I do my research. I even took the timezone level 1 watch course. This thread was intended to draw from the more experienced on this message board, and the comment on Zenith was great cause now I'm reading about Zenith.

In the end, I want my next purchase to be well thought out (the SO 42 was an impulse buy). My real challenge is to meet my criteria within my financial means. If money was no object I would have a Patek minute repeater.

anyway, thanks for advice.

[ippon20]

Originally Posted by tavv160

Vacheron Constantin, JLC and A Lange & Sohne are owned by Richemont. Doesn't mean they're not a few of the best watches around.

Anyway, this is all completely off topic. To the OP, the Breitling is not a bad watch at all. My personal opinion would be get a Zenith at the same price level. But it is you who has to wear it, so buy what you like most. If you really like the Breitling, get that! You cannot really go wrong with a Breitling. (it may seem that I have been bashing Breitling, but I actually also have one in my collection)

I didn't state anything about richemont as I think many of their brands are highly respected. Same would hold true for swatch group. But seriously, LVMH holds Bulgari, Hublot, FRED and even TAG. Do you consider those top notch brands? In a world of luxury watches, LVMH is a death sentence for the brand.