Interesting comparison of the Crown Jewels of the Swatch group Bill. To each his own but I’ve never been tempted by any Blancpain watch. On the other hand, I’m very attracted to multiple pieces in the Breguet Classique range and own the Classique 5277 in rose gold. I think the hand turned guillochet, fluted case flanks, and blued steel hands really set the Breguet Classique apart. I also like the Breguet Tradition, but at those prices I’d probably go with an independent like Gronefeld. Thanks for another informative video Bill.
Yes, Jeffrey, Breguet has a hard road at those prices with watches by Grönefeld, Vacheron Constantin, and others at the same and less prices. But certain Tradition and Classique models will always be attractions...especially if they lose the silicon... Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Hi Bill, it makes sense to compare these 2 brands. Same group, many shared components and a good history behind. Blancpain in my view lacks strong marketing, they make great watches, I have the perpetual calendar flyback, I am stunned by its accuracy, around 3 seconds a month, with and without the chronograph running, an amazing watch. Also the moon phase is absolutely spot on accurate . It is the 2585F Leman for reference. For Breguet I would have compared the 7337 rather than the tradition as they have similar complications. I like a lot the new 7337 with blue dial, I need to see it in the metal, it is probably my next watch. Their price drop significantly once on the grey market, so pretty interesting to get them. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, DG B for those insights by a Blancpain owner. Yes, the Tradition was a bit of a stretch compared to the Blancpain Villeret, reflecting more my passion for a Tradition than a sensible 1-1 comparison. The 7337 would have been more appropriate ... but I just had to get a Tradition in there somewhere! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Some beautiful watches here. I love the Breguet guilloche dials, but I’m a sucker for guilloche. The Blancpain dive watches are wonderful and would be my preference over a Sub any day.
It's good to open up the entire world of quality watches, Ced...not just the obvious. There's even more hidden in the nooks and crannies of horology ... like Habring2. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Another great video Bill. I really enjoy these brand comparison videos. Hopefully one day I will be able to add a Breguet Type XX to my collection. Thanks as always Bill.
Thanks Bruce. That Type XX has a fabulous history and is the most interesting sports watch in their collection ... soon I hope will be part of yours! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Excellent video. I have a Blancpain Villeret with moonphase and all times except seconds. It's a beautiful watch. Blancpain controls the spare parts so it most cases it has to be sent to New Jersey or Switzerland for servicing.
Award, Blancpain has a wonderful history with Frédéric Piguet, who at one time owned Blancpain and that relationship has been extended since Blancpain was bought by Swatch ... they switched things around and now Blancpain is in control of Frédéric Piguet! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Don't worry too much about silicon hairsprings Bill. Its a material solution to a mechanical problem. Nowhere near putting an integrated circuit into to regulate time keeping. That slope from silicon hair spring to seiko astron is long, long, long one. Good video
I don't worry about it Timothy, but if I pay that kind of money for a watch, I'd prefer to have one with something other than silicone balance springs... what if they use plastic chatons? That's less expensive than gold ones, and is just as far away from an integrated circuit as silicone...possibly further. But hey! If you want a watch with silicon escapements and hairsprings; be my guest. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci Thanks for the prompt reply, sometimes I feel like the comments sections on some of these channels might as well be turned off. Anyway, I agree with you, iam a bit of an arch conservative myself and i wouldn't want plastic escapement either. What i meant was that, although it is silicon it is still a hair spring. It is not changing the fundamental method of time keeping in the watch. Same with the plastic chatons, they are still chatons, if you made an entire movement out of plastic, silicon, carbon fiber etc. I would still consider it a mechanical watch, if that makes sense. That is what i meant by it not being the stepping stone to a smart watch, more a stepping stone to an all plastic watch. Wonder if that could be done, making the entire movement out of plastic. Anyway i love the channel, iam still new to the watch community, so iam going through your back catalogue. Thanks again same to you, take care and be safe.
Breguet Classique 7337 has day/date, moonphase. I'd say it's probably more compatible with the Blancpain Quantiéme Complet. Not price wise though..! Anyway, always nice with a video on two of my favourite brands. Stay free.
Hi bill another great comparison revue ,,I love both of these brands obviously Abraham Louis breguet is a horological legend and breguet is a top brand ....but so is blancpain I’m pretty sure they are the second oldest watch manufacturer ...forgive me if I’m wrong about that ....anyway my favourites of the revue are the grand date villeret and the classique both beautiful dress watches ...I’m into dress watches at the mo and these are gorgeous .... cheers for keeping us all enthralled during these trying times ...I’m looking forward to the next video keep safe ...
@@watchartsci hi bill I’ve been doing a bit of checking ,,hope u don’t mind 1735 blancpain. 1755 Vacheron Constantin. 1775 breguet ,,,1791 Girard-Perregaux with other names like Gallet Haldimann and so on even sooner than blancpain...cheers bill a bit of fun info 👍
Bill. your comments about the second hand really sparked something I have been pondering lately. On a formal watch, I find the second hand extraneous. But then I thought about in a broader context. If I really need precision to the second, my phone is always correct to the second. I did not wear watch for 25 years. The Motorola flip phone had the time, so why wear a watch. Now I feel naked if my watch is not on my wrist. I have been imagining my perfect watch, a Rolexish diver style GMT without the date or a second hand and a bunch of other modifications. Changes include 2 hour incremental markers between the markers and the chapter ring as well as a 12 hour single coloured bezel and no date. Practical for me. Anyway, I would love for you to discuss the oft over-looked second hand and give us your thoughts. Be well, be safe....K
Every now and then, I'll synch my watch with my computer or phone using watches with the stop second function; but for the most part, I'll just set the minute with the current one showing on my phone. After retirement, I enjoy things but at a more leisurely pace ... I try to be on time for dinner. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci Agreed. We do not have to live by the second. When I was in sales I would be at my appointments 15 minutes early. Again no need to be accurate to the second.
Tough choice Rob. The 5517 is the newer, but I don't like the way they did the Breguet hands, but I do like the cleaner look. The 5817 depends on the guilloche in the center. Not crazy about the swirling version, but it works in some colors. I also like the bigger date window. Happy New Year! 🥳 Take care and be safe, Bill😷
A lot of different companies have used the FP 1150 in their watches. I believe that Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet have all used one FP or another in the past, Reza. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
If I may, the finishing on the JD's is a bit better than what you'll find on a Blancpain or Breguet using the same movement. Also an additional 3 hours power reserve at 68 hours vs. 65 hours for the BP and Breguet iterations. The thought behind JD as a brand was for the Swatch umbrella to have a direct competitor to Patek Phillipe. Unfortunately, they've wanted the brand to grow a little too fast with too broad of a portfolio, losing track of their vision. Nonetheless, it is still a more exclusive brand in terms of sales and production numbers when compared to BP and Breguet. They also have the most expensive watches in the Swatch Group catalogue with their Automatons.
Blancpain movement 1315 is so accurate to +3/month. I dont know about this 6654. I want to get a Bathyscaphe of this movement. But cant find any info on accuracy
Breguets are lovely. The two hand classique and tradition line are beautiful Btw, the 7337 might be a better comparison to the Villeret Quantiem Complet
Thanks Gunther, I could do that, but isn't that a little lopsided in quality? I like both brands, but it might look like David vs. Goliath ... with a different ending for David...Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Hi Bill. Since I own a GO Senator Karee chronograph (very cool, I’ve had it for 10 years) but have yet to own a Lange I prefer to characterize GO as the little engine that could...”I think I can, I think I can.”......Stay safe and all the best.
Great video - an excellent Swatch-off! I'm not sure I entirely get the 'luxury' Blancpain thing - it seems a bit forced and market segment led, but some nice pieces - close, but no Breguet! Swatch's portfolio does confuse - how did the mighty Longines get dumbed down to entry-level luxury, while Omega became mass-market prestige and (utilitarian?) Blacpain affordable high horology? These corporate shenanigans baffle me! As with the 50 Fathoms, that Type 20 style Air Command looks the part, but I never knew Blancpain ever made official Type 20s. For me it falls a little between the luxury and utility stools. Authentic? I'm not so sure. Unlike Breguet! Now there's a brand with true aviation heritage. A shame they've discontinued the oddball (Lemania) but beautiful Type XX (though I reckon these represent a great buy if you find one). The Type XXI/XXII are different beasts indeed. 10Hz sporter! Wow. While I share most people's fear of the thing spinning to bits, I think they may have had a touch of ALB's inspiration with those magnetic 'bearings'. Clever. Not for me that size, though (or the price). As for Silicon components - yeah not an instinctive fan either, but perhaps ALB would have embraced them - he was nothing if not an innovator. Maybe 100 years ahead of his time? For me the Classique represents a grail piece. But now you've gone and switched me on to the Tradition Retrograde! Oh no. Blown away. What a thing. I'm not normally into visible movements, but that movement is so beautiful, unusual and true to the great man himself. And I do like a sprocket. Truly amazing. But 2x the price of the Classique? Ooof, a very serious outlay! That will test my love of fast bikes and two kidneys! Thanks for yet more great content and stay well.
You know James, I think Swatch ought to do what the Chaumet brothers did when they brought in Daniel Roth to breath life into Breguet. Get a talented watchmaker who knows Breguet's history and the same with Blancpain. The watches they have now seem to be the products of focus groups save some of the Classiques and Traditions. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
Hi Bill. Because you mentioned you liked the first watch - Air Command, I am just gonna hint you to google Heuer Bundeswehr and Leonidas CP-2. I think you gonna enjoy the research. Best Reg Ahh yes ..and TIPO CP-2 by Zenith of course)
Hi Phillipp, you're right about the Heuer Bundeswehr, and I mentioned it in a recent video (ua-cam.com/video/l3SK4DZ1zsQ/v-deo.html) ... it was the Heuer in the "Sinn-dialed Heuer." Leonidas CP-2 will check out. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Great video. Would love to hear your thoughts on Breguet Classique Hora Mundi, I like multile breguet watches but that the one I want to get one day. Thx and happy holidays. Stay safe
Hey SD! That Classique Hora Mundi, is nice, but I don't think $94,000 nice! For a 1/10 of the price I could get a world-timer like a Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic, and like it just fine. Anyway, Merry Christmas 🎅 and Happy New Year-let's hope at this time next year the pandemic will be nothing but a bad memory. 😬 In the meantime, take care and stay safe, Bill 😷
@@watchartsci hi Bill, totally agree it is not 94k nice. However, best thing about Breguet dress watch is that you can get great discount. Even at 50% discount it still lots of money. My favourite watch that I own is Harry Winston midnight moon phase which I got at 50% off retail. I hope one day I can have the budget to get the Breguet at 50% off or more :)
@@sd2002 Harry Winston is another greatly undervalued watch brand. My HW Bi-Retrograde has a Girard Perregaux movement with the retrograde by Agenhor! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Good comparison Bill. I do not know why exactly, but Blanpain never appealed to me. Maybe it is their filigree case appearance that is not a "watchmaker's case". Breguet has some interesting stuff. The Tradition series is a yummy feast for watch lovers. They use PARE-CHUTE shock protection invented by A.-L. Breguet long before INCA, KIF, and such and much more beautiful. Some Tradition models though use Silicon, unfortunately.
Thanks Hannes, -silicon in a Tradition?! No thank you. Lots of support for silicon, though. I think they can stick will metal...niobium alloys seem to work...chromium and titanium combines are two. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
I think the tradition of A.L. Breguet is "innovation". He is one of the best innovators in horology. From this point of view, I think silicon parts are pretty appropriate.
A few brief points. Modern Blancpain dress watches, with our without elaborate complications, get little or no inventory turns and are often available at substantial discounts. The only reason one would become a Blancpain AD is to get access to the Fifty Fathoms dive watch line which represents most of Blancpain sells. In addition to being the “first” of the early 1950s “modern style” dive watches (ahead of Rolex and ignoring Panerai which was not really a manufacturer until later but rather an assembler of a hodge lodge of parts and movements), the Fifty Fathoms is the thinking man’s answer to what a dive watch/sport watch should be without having to stoop to wearing a Rolex like every other Tom, Duck and Harry. Breguet is more august and the Classique references are indeed superb. But Breguet is lacking any real vitality in the sport watch/dive watch category. The milspec influenced Breguet XXI is so much a niche piece (albeit a fine niche piece) as to be a totally negligible factor in the sport/dive category. As dress watches are no longer drivers of sales volume, Breguet is pretty much on the sidelines. Breguet should have been Swatch’s answer to Journe, Voutilainen, Ferrier, etc. but corporate stodginess dropped the ball by not deconstructing the brand from the traditional aesthetic to a more contemporary set of references and design values. Without a Royal Oak or Nautilus type of reference, Breguet is stuck in the last and not the present. Dive watches will keep Blancpain going for awhile but Breguet will likely be dead in 10 years without a Hail Mary pass. Finally, silicon springs and parts enhance performance and isochronism in all temperatures, anti-magnetism and durability. If the ghost of Abraham Breguet were to be consulted, would he oppose the use of a silicon hairspring in lieu of a metal one? Cheers.
Thank you Howard for those points (...and redefining brief...😉). The idea of a corporate-owned company like Swatch creating a FPJ-type watch at first struck me as so far-fetched as to be both a tad naive and untutored in corporate business practices. However, after a brief reflection, I realized that is a brilliant concept. In the 80's the Chaumet brothers (who were arguably a corporate entity in their own right), hired Daniel Roth to help guide Breguet back to its roots. He did so as witnessed by watches such as the Breguet 3130, the tourbillon, and the perpetual calendar watches he created. Today, were Swatch to hire a young watchmaker like Cyril Brivet-Naudot, whose watches reflect the essence of Abraham Louis Breguet, to create a basic (and affordable) Breguet, I'd be first in line. (If it were key-wound, I'd cut in line!) Of course he'd have to lose the silicon, but it would be a project that would revive real interest in Breguet as a remarkable watchmaking company once again. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Breguet and blancpain sort of sister company , you got counter fit in both companies , like villeret equation of time marchent vs grand classique 3477 , Breguet got little more over blancpain due to branding name and history, blancpain gots amazing blue dial fifty fathoms moonphase chrono that I would like to put my hand on , both amazing but. I like Breguet more although I will go with blancpain as a price choice.
That's a good summary of the two brands, Mohamed. I see Blancpain more of a good solid watch to wear to work and Breguet as a somewhat more exotic watch for special occasions and collectors. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
The problem with both of the brand is they focus more on automatic movement rather than manual wind. I love their dial, case and finishing but prefer manual wind for high horology watches.
I'm with you Nowshed...the only automatic I like is the one with the rotor that looks like Abraham Louis himself made it...Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Breguet is for Russian gangsters! They know quality. Moon phases and celestial calender are the best complications. GP has a wicked one. Keep it up legend.
Now Matty, let's not upset the Russian gangsters who favor Rolexes. What model of Girard-Perregaux has the moon phase / celestial calendar. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
No Swatch. Lebanese owned Swiss. Slimy!! That’s why Omega Speedmaster has so many special additions. You can buy most of these watches at a huge discount on the used market. 10Hz. To fast and to much wear. Nice overview. See if some of these brands make it during our current/future economic times. Nice video mate.
True, you can find some great discounts. I agree that 10Hz is speed over reason and would rattle the gear chain more than I'd care to see , Tim. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Straight lugs are to keep the tradition of Abraham Louis Breguet watches of using them. Will have to pay attention the next time I try on a Tradition ... when I first did, I didn't notice the comfort level of the lugs. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Surely only a problem if the watch is a "contemporary" size (close to or exceeding 40 mil)? I love the look of the midsize classiques on the secondary market. Dream of picking a 35-37mm hand wind classique up one day
@@jananilcolonoscopu4034 i have small wrist, about 16,5cm. And I wear Breguet 5157 38mm, my favourite watch. Most of my watches are belowe 40mm. Breguet wears true to ist size, straight lugs don't change the feeling. It's not like Nomos... Check my IG @gingin_watches for some wristshots.
Interesting comparison of the Crown Jewels of the Swatch group Bill. To each his own but I’ve never been tempted by any Blancpain watch. On the other hand, I’m very attracted to multiple pieces in the Breguet Classique range and own the Classique 5277 in rose gold. I think the hand turned guillochet, fluted case flanks, and blued steel hands really set the Breguet Classique apart. I also like the Breguet Tradition, but at those prices I’d probably go with an independent like Gronefeld. Thanks for another informative video Bill.
Yes, Jeffrey, Breguet has a hard road at those prices with watches by Grönefeld, Vacheron Constantin, and others at the same and less prices. But certain Tradition and Classique models will always be attractions...especially if they lose the silicon... Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Hi Bill, it makes sense to compare these 2 brands. Same group, many shared components and a good history behind. Blancpain in my view lacks strong marketing, they make great watches, I have the perpetual calendar flyback, I am stunned by its accuracy, around 3 seconds a month, with and without the chronograph running, an amazing watch. Also the moon phase is absolutely spot on accurate . It is the 2585F Leman for reference.
For Breguet I would have compared the 7337 rather than the tradition as they have similar complications. I like a lot the new 7337 with blue dial, I need to see it in the metal, it is probably my next watch. Their price drop significantly once on the grey market, so pretty interesting to get them.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, DG B for those insights by a Blancpain owner. Yes, the Tradition was a bit of a stretch compared to the Blancpain Villeret, reflecting more my passion for a Tradition than a sensible 1-1 comparison. The 7337 would have been more appropriate ... but I just had to get a Tradition in there somewhere! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Some beautiful watches here. I love the Breguet guilloche dials, but I’m a sucker for guilloche. The Blancpain dive watches are wonderful and would be my preference over a Sub any day.
It's good to open up the entire world of quality watches, Ced...not just the obvious. There's even more hidden in the nooks and crannies of horology ... like Habring2. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Another great video Bill. I really enjoy these brand comparison videos. Hopefully one day I will be able to add a Breguet Type XX to my collection. Thanks as always Bill.
Thanks Bruce. That Type XX has a fabulous history and is the most interesting sports watch in their collection ... soon I hope will be part of yours! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Excellent video. I have a Blancpain Villeret with moonphase and all times except seconds. It's a beautiful watch. Blancpain controls the spare parts so it most cases it has to be sent to New Jersey or Switzerland for servicing.
Award, Blancpain has a wonderful history with Frédéric Piguet, who at one time owned Blancpain and that relationship has been extended since Blancpain was bought by Swatch ... they switched things around and now Blancpain is in control of Frédéric Piguet! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
I love these comparisons. Thanks
My pleasure, Jame! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Don't worry too much about silicon hairsprings Bill. Its a material solution to a mechanical problem. Nowhere near putting an integrated circuit into to regulate time keeping. That slope from silicon hair spring to seiko astron is long, long, long one. Good video
I don't worry about it Timothy, but if I pay that kind of money for a watch, I'd prefer to have one with something other than silicone balance springs... what if they use plastic chatons? That's less expensive than gold ones, and is just as far away from an integrated circuit as silicone...possibly further. But hey! If you want a watch with silicon escapements and hairsprings; be my guest. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci Thanks for the prompt reply, sometimes I feel like the comments sections on some of these channels might as well be turned off. Anyway, I agree with you, iam a bit of an arch conservative myself and i wouldn't want plastic escapement either. What i meant was that, although it is silicon it is still a hair spring. It is not changing the fundamental method of time keeping in the watch. Same with the plastic chatons, they are still chatons, if you made an entire movement out of plastic, silicon, carbon fiber etc. I would still consider it a mechanical watch, if that makes sense. That is what i meant by it not being the stepping stone to a smart watch, more a stepping stone to an all plastic watch. Wonder if that could be done, making the entire movement out of plastic. Anyway i love the channel, iam still new to the watch community, so iam going through your back catalogue. Thanks again same to you, take care and be safe.
Breguet Classique 7337 has day/date, moonphase. I'd say it's probably more compatible with the Blancpain Quantiéme Complet. Not price wise though..!
Anyway, always nice with a video on two of my favourite brands. Stay free.
I think you're right, Covid. Good point, thanks. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Hi bill another great comparison revue ,,I love both of these brands obviously Abraham Louis breguet is a horological legend and breguet is a top brand ....but so is blancpain I’m pretty sure they are the second oldest watch manufacturer ...forgive me if I’m wrong about that ....anyway my favourites of the revue are the grand date villeret and the classique both beautiful dress watches ...I’m into dress watches at the mo and these are gorgeous .... cheers for keeping us all enthralled during these trying times ...I’m looking forward to the next video keep safe ...
Colin, I could be wrong too, but I thought the second oldest was Girard-Perregaux. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci hi bill I’ve been doing a bit of checking ,,hope u don’t mind 1735 blancpain. 1755 Vacheron Constantin. 1775 breguet ,,,1791 Girard-Perregaux with other names like Gallet Haldimann and so on even sooner than blancpain...cheers bill a bit of fun info 👍
@@colinpickersgill5706 Thanks Colin! That's all good to know!
Bill. your comments about the second hand really sparked something I have been pondering lately. On a formal watch, I find the second hand extraneous. But then I thought about in a broader context. If I really need precision to the second, my phone is always correct to the second. I did not wear watch for 25 years. The Motorola flip phone had the time, so why wear a watch. Now I feel naked if my watch is not on my wrist.
I have been imagining my perfect watch, a Rolexish diver style GMT without the date or a second hand and a bunch of other modifications. Changes include 2 hour incremental markers between the markers and the chapter ring as well as a 12 hour single coloured bezel and no date. Practical for me.
Anyway, I would love for you to discuss the oft over-looked second hand and give us your thoughts.
Be well, be safe....K
Every now and then, I'll synch my watch with my computer or phone using watches with the stop second function; but for the most part, I'll just set the minute with the current one showing on my phone. After retirement, I enjoy things but at a more leisurely pace ... I try to be on time for dinner. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci Agreed. We do not have to live by the second. When I was in sales I would be at my appointments 15 minutes early. Again no need to be accurate to the second.
I am considering either the Breguet Marine 5517 or 5817. What is your opinion on both and what would you choose and why? Thanks.
Tough choice Rob. The 5517 is the newer, but I don't like the way they did the Breguet hands, but I do like the cleaner look. The 5817 depends on the guilloche in the center. Not crazy about the swirling version, but it works in some colors. I also like the bigger date window. Happy New Year! 🥳 Take care and be safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci Bill, thanks for the help. Also, do you know of any major upgrades on the newer movement? Thanks again.
Amazing information, I think also Jaquet Droz is owned under same umbrella and uses FP 1150 movement as their base movement , Thanks Bill
A lot of different companies have used the FP 1150 in their watches. I believe that Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet have all used one FP or another in the past, Reza. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
If I may, the finishing on the JD's is a bit better than what you'll find on a Blancpain or Breguet using the same movement. Also an additional 3 hours power reserve at 68 hours vs. 65 hours for the BP and Breguet iterations. The thought behind JD as a brand was for the Swatch umbrella to have a direct competitor to Patek Phillipe. Unfortunately, they've wanted the brand to grow a little too fast with too broad of a portfolio, losing track of their vision. Nonetheless, it is still a more exclusive brand in terms of sales and production numbers when compared to BP and Breguet. They also have the most expensive watches in the Swatch Group catalogue with their Automatons.
Blancpain movement 1315 is so accurate to +3/month. I dont know about this 6654. I want to get a Bathyscaphe of this movement. But cant find any info on accuracy
Rektison, this article may help-www.hodinkee.com/articles/blancpains-fifty-fathoms-bathyscaphe-titanium-grade-23 . Take care, Bill
Breguets are lovely.
The two hand classique and tradition line are beautiful
Btw, the 7337 might be a better comparison to the Villeret Quantiem Complet
The Classique is a simple watch design that's hard to beat, Tippy. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
Great video Bill. I too really like these brand comparisons. Glashütte Original vs. A.Lange? You’re up and at ‘em early.
Thanks Gunther, I could do that, but isn't that a little lopsided in quality? I like both brands, but it might look like David vs. Goliath ... with a different ending for David...Take care and be safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci ALS vs. Lang & Heyne would be a nice one.
Hi Bill. Since I own a GO Senator Karee chronograph (very cool, I’ve had it for 10 years) but have yet to own a Lange I prefer to characterize GO as the little engine that could...”I think I can, I think I can.”......Stay safe and all the best.
Great video - an excellent Swatch-off! I'm not sure I entirely get the 'luxury' Blancpain thing - it seems a bit forced and market segment led, but some nice pieces - close, but no Breguet! Swatch's portfolio does confuse - how did the mighty Longines get dumbed down to entry-level luxury, while Omega became mass-market prestige and (utilitarian?) Blacpain affordable high horology? These corporate shenanigans baffle me!
As with the 50 Fathoms, that Type 20 style Air Command looks the part, but I never knew Blancpain ever made official Type 20s. For me it falls a little between the luxury and utility stools. Authentic? I'm not so sure. Unlike Breguet! Now there's a brand with true aviation heritage. A shame they've discontinued the oddball (Lemania) but beautiful Type XX (though I reckon these represent a great buy if you find one). The Type XXI/XXII are different beasts indeed. 10Hz sporter! Wow. While I share most people's fear of the thing spinning to bits, I think they may have had a touch of ALB's inspiration with those magnetic 'bearings'. Clever. Not for me that size, though (or the price). As for Silicon components - yeah not an instinctive fan either, but perhaps ALB would have embraced them - he was nothing if not an innovator. Maybe 100 years ahead of his time?
For me the Classique represents a grail piece. But now you've gone and switched me on to the Tradition Retrograde! Oh no. Blown away. What a thing. I'm not normally into visible movements, but that movement is so beautiful, unusual and true to the great man himself. And I do like a sprocket. Truly amazing. But 2x the price of the Classique? Ooof, a very serious outlay! That will test my love of fast bikes and two kidneys!
Thanks for yet more great content and stay well.
You know James, I think Swatch ought to do what the Chaumet brothers did when they brought in Daniel Roth to breath life into Breguet. Get a talented watchmaker who knows Breguet's history and the same with Blancpain. The watches they have now seem to be the products of focus groups save some of the Classiques and Traditions. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
Hi Bill. Because you mentioned you liked the first watch - Air Command, I am just gonna hint you to google Heuer Bundeswehr and Leonidas CP-2. I think you gonna enjoy the research. Best Reg
Ahh yes ..and TIPO CP-2 by Zenith of course)
Hi Phillipp, you're right about the Heuer Bundeswehr, and I mentioned it in a recent video (ua-cam.com/video/l3SK4DZ1zsQ/v-deo.html) ... it was the Heuer in the "Sinn-dialed Heuer." Leonidas CP-2 will check out. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Great video. Would love to hear your thoughts on Breguet Classique Hora Mundi, I like multile breguet watches but that the one I want to get one day. Thx and happy holidays. Stay safe
Hey SD! That Classique Hora Mundi, is nice, but I don't think $94,000 nice! For a 1/10 of the price I could get a world-timer like a Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic, and like it just fine. Anyway, Merry Christmas 🎅 and Happy New Year-let's hope at this time next year the pandemic will be nothing but a bad memory. 😬 In the meantime, take care and stay safe, Bill 😷
@@watchartsci hi Bill, totally agree it is not 94k nice. However, best thing about Breguet dress watch is that you can get great discount. Even at 50% discount it still lots of money. My favourite watch that I own is Harry Winston midnight moon phase which I got at 50% off retail. I hope one day I can have the budget to get the Breguet at 50% off or more :)
@@watchartsci also I just looked at JLC Geophsic, WOW. I am definitely adding to my favourite list
@@sd2002 Harry Winston is another greatly undervalued watch brand. My HW Bi-Retrograde has a Girard Perregaux movement with the retrograde by Agenhor! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Very interesting video Bill!
Hey Nico, thanks man! Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
Good comparison Bill. I do not know why exactly, but Blanpain never appealed to me. Maybe it is their filigree case appearance that is not a "watchmaker's case". Breguet has some interesting stuff. The Tradition series is a yummy feast for watch lovers. They use PARE-CHUTE shock protection invented by A.-L. Breguet long before INCA, KIF, and such and much more beautiful. Some Tradition models though use Silicon, unfortunately.
Thanks Hannes, -silicon in a Tradition?! No thank you. Lots of support for silicon, though. I think they can stick will metal...niobium alloys seem to work...chromium and titanium combines are two. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
I think the tradition of A.L. Breguet is "innovation". He is one of the best innovators in horology. From this point of view, I think silicon parts are pretty appropriate.
A few brief points. Modern Blancpain dress watches, with our without elaborate complications, get little or no inventory turns and are often available at substantial discounts. The only reason one would become a Blancpain AD is to get access to the Fifty Fathoms dive watch line which represents most of Blancpain sells. In addition to being the “first” of the early 1950s “modern style” dive watches (ahead of Rolex and ignoring Panerai which was not really a manufacturer until later but rather an assembler of a hodge lodge of parts and movements), the Fifty Fathoms is the thinking man’s answer to what a dive watch/sport watch should be without having to stoop to wearing a Rolex like every other Tom, Duck and Harry. Breguet is more august and the Classique references are indeed superb. But Breguet is lacking any real vitality in the sport watch/dive watch category. The milspec influenced Breguet XXI is so much a niche piece (albeit a fine niche piece) as to be a totally negligible factor in the sport/dive category. As dress watches are no longer drivers of sales volume, Breguet is pretty much on the sidelines. Breguet should have been Swatch’s answer to Journe, Voutilainen, Ferrier, etc. but corporate stodginess dropped the ball by not deconstructing the brand from the traditional aesthetic to a more contemporary set of references and design values. Without a Royal Oak or Nautilus type of reference, Breguet is stuck in the last and not the present. Dive watches will keep Blancpain going for awhile but Breguet will likely be dead in 10 years without a Hail Mary pass. Finally, silicon springs and parts enhance performance and isochronism in all temperatures, anti-magnetism and durability. If the ghost of Abraham Breguet were to be consulted, would he oppose the use of a silicon hairspring in lieu of a metal one? Cheers.
Thank you Howard for those points (...and redefining brief...😉). The idea of a corporate-owned company like Swatch creating a FPJ-type watch at first struck me as so far-fetched as to be both a tad naive and untutored in corporate business practices. However, after a brief reflection, I realized that is a brilliant concept. In the 80's the Chaumet brothers (who were arguably a corporate entity in their own right), hired Daniel Roth to help guide Breguet back to its roots. He did so as witnessed by watches such as the Breguet 3130, the tourbillon, and the perpetual calendar watches he created. Today, were Swatch to hire a young watchmaker like Cyril Brivet-Naudot, whose watches reflect the essence of Abraham Louis Breguet, to create a basic (and affordable) Breguet, I'd be first in line. (If it were key-wound, I'd cut in line!) Of course he'd have to lose the silicon, but it would be a project that would revive real interest in Breguet as a remarkable watchmaking company once again. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
nice content as always
Hey QA/AQ thanks man! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Breguet and blancpain sort of sister company , you got counter fit in both companies , like villeret equation of time marchent vs grand classique 3477 , Breguet got little more over blancpain due to branding name and history, blancpain gots amazing blue dial fifty fathoms moonphase chrono that I would like to put my hand on , both amazing but. I like Breguet more although I will go with blancpain as a price choice.
That's a good summary of the two brands, Mohamed. I see Blancpain more of a good solid watch to wear to work and Breguet as a somewhat more exotic watch for special occasions and collectors. Take care and stay safe, Bill😷
The problem with both of the brand is they focus more on automatic movement rather than manual wind.
I love their dial, case and finishing but prefer manual wind for high horology watches.
I'm with you Nowshed...the only automatic I like is the one with the rotor that looks like Abraham Louis himself made it...Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Breguet is for Russian gangsters! They know quality.
Moon phases and celestial calender are the best complications. GP has a wicked one.
Keep it up legend.
Now Matty, let's not upset the Russian gangsters who favor Rolexes. What model of Girard-Perregaux has the moon phase / celestial calendar. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
No Swatch. Lebanese owned Swiss. Slimy!! That’s why Omega Speedmaster has so many special additions. You can buy most of these watches at a huge discount on the used market.
10Hz. To fast and to much wear.
Nice overview. See if some of these brands make it during our current/future economic times.
Nice video mate.
True, you can find some great discounts. I agree that 10Hz is speed over reason and would rattle the gear chain more than I'd care to see , Tim. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
:)
🤔 Take care and be safe, Bill😷
The problem with Brequet is the straight lugs, it’s very uncomfortable
No, it's very comfortable :)
Straight lugs are to keep the tradition of Abraham Louis Breguet watches of using them. Will have to pay attention the next time I try on a Tradition ... when I first did, I didn't notice the comfort level of the lugs. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Surely only a problem if the watch is a "contemporary" size (close to or exceeding 40 mil)? I love the look of the midsize classiques on the secondary market. Dream of picking a 35-37mm hand wind classique up one day
@@jananilcolonoscopu4034 i have small wrist, about 16,5cm. And I wear Breguet 5157 38mm, my favourite watch. Most of my watches are belowe 40mm. Breguet wears true to ist size, straight lugs don't change the feeling. It's not like Nomos...
Check my IG @gingin_watches for some wristshots.
@@jananilcolonoscopu4034 You know, Jan, that 3130 deigned by Daniel Roth is 38mm I believe. Take care and be safe, Bill😷