beanyboy

I bought this same model from Andrew and it's pretty good. Not 100% dead on, but pretty darn good. You'll be satisfied.

I've been collecting reps for over twenty years, so I can say with some confidence that the version I just bought from Trusty is not likely going to be the best version. It's too early. It's usually the fourth or fifth iteration that's good, especially if it's a good selling rep. Still, I've always been a sucker for Breitys and this one is just so simple and clean that I'm willing to get out in front early...

I guess I'm not that picky...I love this watch and like the fact that it's not meant to be fussy based on its MSRP and its style. I just bought one from Trusty. I want to run a black nylon zulu band through it with a yellow stripe in the middle, which I think will look fantastic. Can somebody confirm that the lug width is 22mm so I can get a head start on the strap? Thanks!

Yep, I just measured and you're quite right. Old version Subs certainly do have a 20mm lug width. But I am wondering if the new oversize Basel 2008 version increased lug width? Maybe not, because the case isn't that much bigger. Maybe it's best to wait and not make a mistake. BB

So I pulled the trigger today on another Sub for my collection--the blue face and blue ceramic bezel model with the "updated" case size that was unveiled in Basel back in 2008. It should show up from Ms. King quite soon. But I am curious about lug size. In addition to the stainless steel bracelet it comes with, I am interested in buying a blue/black nylon stripe NATO strap for it (based on seeing a guy in London wearing the blue sub with this strap last summer.) Man, did it look good! I sourced a great supplier for the strap, and he carries it in both 22mm and 23mm widths. All my old version subs have 22mm lug widths, but I wonder if anybody knows if the new Basel 2008 version has 23mm lugs or if they left the size alone? Any thoughts on this would be most appreciated, as I would love to have the strap ready by the time the Sub shows up! BB

Thanks. I never really thought about the band. But, as you all likely know, it's not easy finding 28mm genuine crocodile watch straps!

I finally plunked down some cash and purchased the Franck Muller Conquistidor with the Asian valjoux movement, a watch I'd had my eye on for nearly one year. The model I bought from Ms. King will come with what looks like a decent rubber strap, but I'd like to have a genuine crocodile strap, too, for events that require a more formal, dressier strap. I've combed through the posts here, have tried eBay, Google, etc. trying to find a vendor selling quality replacements. No luck. Anybody have any information or ideas? I am willing to have a custom strap made, but it's got to be significantly less expensive than a real FM AD replacement, which I was quoted as costing a ridiculous $525. Thanks in advance for any sage advice. Beany

I can't imagine Breitling making a watch with a quartz movement. Cartier and Hermes do it, and seem to do it well, but not Breitling. There's no doubt that in some instances a quartz movement is beneficial, like in a Brequet or Patek rep with no second hand. But, IMHO, it's best to stick with automatic or hand-wound movements...even for reps. The Asian 7750 is one of the best movements available, almost equal to an ETA movement.

Will anybody admit to ever owning a watch shown on the Hall of Infamy? A Hall, I must admit, which is the best one I've ever seen compiled.

I bought a great BCE from King about a month ago and have enjoyed the heck out of it. However, I lost one of the pushers and it's sheath, although I still have the stem. See picture below. King was kind enough to send me another pusher, sheath and stem, but the stem screw is too big. (Meaning: the replacement pusher boring is too small). Is it easy to replace the old stem with the new one? Or should I just take some suggestions on who best to send the damn thing to for repair? I will leave it to the experts and await your kind and thoughtful suggestions... Beany

There's a gen with no buckle on eBay that I noticed....or you can buy a 22mm crocodile leather embossed band (all the proper breitling markings including the Breitling deployant clasp for $45 from me... Check out the watch straps for sale forum. I posted about two weeks ago... Beany

Thanks 1976! That's awesome. I have what I think is a King version 2.0 TT BCE since it's the model with the roman numerals, so I think it should fit. How about this? I will give it a shot and see. If not, I can send it back to you. It's the least I can do. Also, please let me cover the cost of the part and shipping via PayPal. Let me know. I will PM you with details. THANKS for making RWG a great place! Beany

After reading By-tor's review and history of the BCE, and mulling about whether or not it was too blingy for me, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a BCE from Connie King a few weeks ago. I love the damn thing dearly and have been wearing it as a daily beater, a really unsound thing to do. Reason? I have lost the 2 o'clock gold plated pusher and sheath. Now I have nothing there but a little screw sticking out! What a drag! Scoured my house, of course, but the likelihood of finding that little part is pretty slim. So, I am hoping that I can source a pusher and sheath in the USA so that I can wear my BCE once again, although this time I intend to wear it lightly on special occasions and make sure that the pushers and sheaths are tightly screwed down. Please let me know if anybody has a gold plated pusher and sheath for the BCE and the price you are willing to part with it shipped to the midwestern USA! I figure I can always go back to Ms. King and get a part from her, but that entails more work and more time without my beloved BCE on my wrist. Thanks so much!

I am surprised that eBay hasn't taken it down. Maybe they're waiting to see how high the price goes. Still I pity da fool who pays more than $10 aussie dollars for this fake. And it's not even a good one! I put up a watch on eBay USA several years that was a Cartier Rondeau knockoff, but without any Cartier markings on it. I described it as "...like a Cartier watch..." or "...in the style of a Cartier Rondeau model..." along those lines and started the bidding at $20, which is about what it was worth. And eBay killed my auction and sent me a nasty stock scolding letter. So go figure...

Just bought the BCE TT with roman numerals from Ms. Connie King. I think it's a v.2 judging from the date wheel. I don't care though. It arrived today and I love it! I am changing out the two-tone "old rich man" bracelet for an AD's real tan calfskin with white stitching, which I think tones this watch down a great deal and makes it one of my all-time favorites. Pictures to come soon, and look for the bracelet on sale in a day or two...for a good price. Thanks, BT, for making RWG such an awesome place.

I still have a great Breitling Chronomat two tone (the older pre-Evolution model) that I bought in Times Square way back in May, 1997. I asked the salesman if he had any better quality Breitlings and he produced my watch from a little black case. He said (in his African accent) that the watch was very high quality with a Swiss movement and he wanted about $100 for it. I could tell the watch was better than the average Briety rep available at the time. I dickered with him and got it for $50, at at time when his average crap Breitys went for $20. The two tone bracelet eventually tarnished and the gold wore off, so I replaced it with a calfskin tan BOB stap. Looks fantastic and still keeps excellent time. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MOVEMENT. I doubt it's "Swiss", but it hasn't failed me. This is the watch that got me interested in collecting reps, and I now have a collection of 30 or so. Thanks to the Ethiopian salesman in Times Square!

How about better inventory control? Like if you don't have the freakin' watch in stock, either remove it from your site or have an entry that says "Out of stock." I get tired of asking if the watch is available...just tell me upfront whether or not it is ... Beanyboy

Okay, I will. I went to the website and noticed his stock selection is way down from historic norms. Good idea, though. Thanks. B

I have often purchased straps for my reps from BOB, and I have always been happy with his products and service. I noticed that BOB is no longer on this forum, and I also noticed that there seems to be a dearth of product offerings on the BOB website. I want to buy a 22mm Breitling-style tan calfskin deployant strap, and BOB has none. I hope he's not winding down his business or is otherwise strapped. Sorry for the pun! I need the calfskin tan strap and he's the only source I know besides my Breitling AD! Beanyboy

Better to buy a fake Breity than a fake Lambo...

I think Eddie Lee's PP Calatrava Ref. 3919 with correct back markings, correct domed saphire crystal and correct hands size is worth mentioning. I am a proud owner of one of those Calatravas and I love it!

Thanks to both of you for confirming my suspicion that I need to get out my single edged razor blade. Beany TH

I feel like a complete idiot asking this question, but I just recieved a UN marine diving watch with the black rubber strap with the deployant band. The rep is great for the money and I am pleased with it, but once again the strap is inches too big for me. It looks like I need to trim the side of the strap that fits into the deployant buckle. But before I do and make this stap useless for anybody with a large wrist, I thought I would inquire with the panel of thousands of experts that comprise this forum. Let me know at your convenience. Thanks in advance for your sage advice.

The Kairos doesn't appeal to me. But a I couldn't agree more about a good quality Timemaster with a 7750 movement in it...

You're right. It's not gonna happen. At least not anytime soon. There are a few Timemaster reps available, but I notice that none of the forum dealers carry them, which says a lot. The gen is north of $12,000 US, so a good rep would be well worth it. Oh well. I guess I'll keep dreaming.