Del 4,499 Posted February 14, 2012 This is a short review of a Breitling Chronomat B01 with quartz movement bought from from Reg (Narikaa) for the measley sum of £70 delivered. At this price level you don't expect perfection, and I was right not to because it's not perfect. The chrono second hand doesn't sit perfectly straight at 12 regardless of how you set it - it is less than one second out so you can have it a little to the left or a little to the right, but not in the middle! And there is a little "play" in the same hand so if you tip the watch from side to side then you can see the hand move backwards and forward a fraction. And the bezel is a little loose and clicks when you press it down on one side. However, I love this watch! These flaws noted above are really insignificant when wearing the watch - it looks superb on the wrist. It's rather chunky at 45mm and around 17mm (I estimate) so with all this polished steel strapped to your wrist it's going to get noticed! The lume is standard rep lume - you can make it glow for a bit but don't expect to be able to tell the time at 3am. Unless you put a light on of course! It's got a touch of purple AR on the crystal (I don't know if it's sapphire or not) but it is not particularly noticeable and is certainly not an issue. I rather like it actually. The dial is beautifully detailed and well finished - no issues there. Tip top! What else? The bracelet is excellent but the clasp engraving is a little uneven with the B in "Breitling" not as deeply stamped as the other letters. The chrono works great using the screw-in pushers and being quartz is completely safe to use regularly. So, there you have it, warts and all. Make no mistake though, this is a great rep for the money and should give hassle-free, bling-tastic enjoyment for a long time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dssd 0 Posted February 14, 2012 Wawwy Wawwy I love it well done Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,803 Posted February 14, 2012 Looks great mate. Shame about its minor faults, but at least they're ones you can live with Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inushuk 0 Posted February 14, 2012 Very nice .... Enjoy and wear it well. I sold mine last year ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P4GTR 0 Posted February 14, 2012 Beautiful! That's a steal for the price. The white dial is stunning. There's a few other differences between that and the 7750 version that i've noticed so far. The pearl is different on the quartz, as are the pushers and crown. The date window is stepped on the quartz, the auto gradually cut. The wording and emblem are different on the top of the dial. The "Breitling" logo bracelet on mine is etched not stamped, which is nice- all my others have been stamped. Quartz doesn't have sunken datewheel eh? This is my 7750 version for comparo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
powderfreak 0 Posted February 14, 2012 Nice little review with some pretty pictures, thanks for sharing And there is a little "play" in the same hand so if you tip the watch from side to side then you can see the hand move backwards and forward a fraction. Why, oh why?! EVERY quartz rep I had in hands was the same in this aspect... is there a dwarf in the quartz factory running around and pulling at the seconds hands?! :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cynikal.Mindset 1 Posted February 14, 2012 pretty nice for a quartz piece...but you know you want the big boy version! that centre chrono hand slop really angers me and I don't know why its like that but its pretty apparent on all the reps with this movement maybe a ronda 5040.D movement can be used in these things cuz those have no play at all and are pretty cheap for a swiss quartz looks good still, maybe I should get a white one to go with my black-eye grey one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HWG 11 Posted February 14, 2012 Its a great pick up for the price. Makes me want one.... congrats Del! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,499 Posted February 14, 2012 Thanks guys! I knew to expect some of the little flaws - most cheaper quartz reps are like that. I wanted a white dial Breit with s/s bracelet and this fits the bill so I'm very happy with it. Maybe one day I will buy the 7750 version but to be honest I'm not sure I so into the B01 that I'd want to spend 3 times the price on the ultimate version. No promises though! Only £70 remember - I spent £60 in a London taxi last week (expensed of course!) but you know what I mean. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TexAg08 0 Posted February 14, 2012 I love it! Thanks for the post, partner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gazzy 0 Posted February 14, 2012 Nice to see a balanced view,it's not perfect but great value,that's the name of the game for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,499 Posted February 14, 2012 Appreciate the comments! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 57 Posted February 14, 2012 damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at the pics................. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,499 Posted February 14, 2012 damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at the pics................. I love my light tent. I've even started sleeping in it now....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P4GTR 0 Posted February 15, 2012 Maybe one day I will buy the 7750 version but to be honest I'm not sure I so into the B01 that I'd want to spend 3 times the price on the ultimate version. No promises though! I probably should've done the same.. Mine might have to go, I want a SOH. Badly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kolchak 17 Posted February 15, 2012 damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at the pics................. I love my light tent. I've even started sleeping in it now....... didn't micheal jackson sleep in a light tent? Looks choice regardless of price. Dollars to doughnuts I'd pick the flush date wheel & flaws with quartz over sunken date wheel and better finishing, movment of the 7750. I had a 7750 & a quartz grey dial avenger (got quartz from HWG for 1/3 price). Except for the flush vs sunken date wheel (and when you ran the chrono obviously) they looked identical. IMHO quartz breitlings are the best budget reps around. Just wish they offered a chronometre w/ quartz under the hood... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,499 Posted February 15, 2012 Thanks Kol. Yes, the flush date wheel is a big plus of the quartz version. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stupid121 0 Posted February 17, 2012 OK, quartz - not dangerous for me. How did you call it, cynikal-mindset? You need a Big Boy Version? And P4GTR shows it: The best grade Big Boy Breitling Rep I ever saw! Til now, I could step aside of Breitling Reps. Now things changed! I want it now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tenacious328 0 Posted June 18, 2012 hey DEL looks good for a new comer like myself whats the site to order from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UmpaHimself 223 Posted June 18, 2012 I've had other, non rep quartz watches that have had similar issues that I lived with. So for that price you should be stoked Del! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
