The Breitling Chronomat Evolution - AD story and pics

[spookycord]

There is something to be said about this "super-rep". I was with a collegue today who spontaneously decided to go into an AD today to look at some watches. Now I NEVER go into an AD without a gen on, but I was dragged in, and wasn't about to say, "hey, let me stuff my watch in my pocket before we go in."

So who greets us at the AD but their resident expert with 20+ years of experience? He takes one look at my wrist and says "Evolution?" I sheepishly nod, "Yup". He asks the usual questions, "where'd you get it, when did you you get it" etc, I give the standard responses, "anniversary gift from my wife." The salesman turns out to be real cool guy, who is really just a big watch fanatic. Very knowledgable, but didn't try to show off like a snob, more like an excited enthusiast who finally had someone to talk to about his passion rather than the idiots he works with on a daily basis. He pulled watches from all brands and displays, not trying to sell me on them, but more to say "check out the complications on this inhouse movement" or "this split second chrono is so cool" or "look at the size of the rotor on this Portuguese"

So eventually I made my way to the Breitling cases. I wanted to see the Steelfish Super Oceans. Very accurate gens. Breitling did a great job copying the Chinese! lol. Then I noticed they had the exact same model as my BCE I had on. At this point, I was so comfortable, I decided to have a closer look. And finally I can confirm first hand (literally) that the v2 BCE rep is crazy accurate in look and feel. So I decided to snap a few pics of my rep in honor of this truly super rep; the Breitling Chronomat Evolution! Enjoy!

 

[b16a2]

Oh yes they are one of the best around! Only tell would be the date font, but who is going to notice that on a Breitling, they have fussy dials that avert attention elsewehere! Beautiful watch, wear it well!

 

[Gill777]

Thanks for the post. PT just e-mialed me earlier this week to let me know he serviced and shipped my BCE to me. I cant wait to get it.

 

[spookycord]

enjoy it. I saw the white and ss at the AD and now I want that one, so this one will be up for trade soon.

 

[cy0811]

the white and SS really shows the "ring" pattern on the dial though and the rep's engravings arent good enough IMO. Did they have a graphite dial to check out?

 

[mezzanine]

I've got all the super-reps....at least the conventional ones, and the biggest thing that disappoints me about the BCE is the AR. The quality of the AR is not very good.

 

[chillininla]

I've got all the super-reps....at least the conventional ones, and the biggest thing that disappoints me about the BCE is the AR. The quality of the AR is not very good.

Are you referring to the BCE V2, of the first version?? Because I thought the V2 has good double side AR, or is that not good either?

 

[mezzanine]

I'm speaking of the 'best' BCE.

Compared to other super reps with double sided AR, the AR on the BCE is both weak in strength and easily scratched.

 

[cy0811]

I'm speaking of the 'best' BCE.

Compared to other super reps with double sided AR, the AR on the BCE is both weak in strength and easily scratched.

This is the first time Ive heard of this....everyone always praised the BCE Ult. AR??

 

[pedrobrites]

i note that the a/r in my BCE is not so stronger as in the Stellfish

 

[jiro]

Great story!

BCE is nice watch....especially the tt....now if they only make tt bracelet for it.....i'll be all over it...

 

[spookycord]

I was personally blown away by the AR on the BCE. I don't know if it's because of the white dial combo but it's pretty strong imho.

@jiro: I noticed at the AD this same watch didn't have a TT bracelet. Of course, all the watches, especially Breits come in all different combinations vs what you see on their website. Saw the SFSO on a bunch of different bracelet and strap configurations.

 

[mezzanine]

Don't get me wrong, compared to *any* other reps other than the super-reps, the AR on the BCE is way better than what you'll see elsewhere.

But compared to my Cousteau (especially) or HBB, the AR is no where near as strong or durable. It drives me nuts how quickly it picks up scratches. Still love the watch, though.

 

[spookycord]

Good to know, anyone know the difference in different AR applications? I'm getting a white swiss SFSO today, i'll compare, although they should be the same since it's from the same factory?

 

[mezzanine]

I don't believe they will be the same. I'm not sure of he reason for the different levels of AR, but they're different for sure. The SFSO has stronger AR as well, although that's the one watch that is still in transit for me, so I can't say for sure.

 

[spookycord]

Could the difference in AR be due to the different shapes of the crystals?

 

[cy0811]

maybe its due to the crystal shape of the BCE? Either way at least it has Double AR.

 

[subzero1]

After having 4 BCE's pass through my hands, I can say with some certainty that the AR on them is not the "durable" AR that comes on the HBB or the SFSO. It is indeed double AR, so the dial is still incredibly clear, but it will scratch easily, and it is not quite the "disappearing act" that the HBB or SFSO (of Chieftang AR) is.

 

[Rogerthat]

I do agree. Having owned BCE, HBB and a crystal I sent to Cheiftang for a double cost, the BCE is the least impressive AR of the 3.
That said, it is double AR and still better than 90% of reps out there as far as AR coating goes.

Cheers,
M

 

[takashi]

Just my 2 cents, replica Navitimer or BCE still lack this "bling" Breitling factor. If you really look closely, feel it on your hand, the genuine has "x-factor" that the replica doesn't really have.