jeff g

There are a number of threads posted currently concerning the crap eta movements in many of the current generation of CN reps. Looks like we are in big trouble. But it only figures, CN watch...then CN watch movement. Problem is... eta is supposed to mean good. Looks like CN fabricators were hoping for just...better. Better....that has turned out to be WORSE.

There is a current thread concerning The Zigmeister's feelings on the current generation of crappy eta's. I too have my PP Nautilus at The Zigmeisters. I am unhappy to hear that what for me is an iconic rep has crap for insides. One would normally hope for better from MBK quality reps.

So what is one to do? Buy the 100.00 cheaper asian model, and take chances that eventually it will fail, and be unrepairable, or pay the extra money for crappy knock off eta's, that eventually can be fixed? Neither alternative sounds good. After wearing reps for the past 5 years or so it has become quite obvious that if you like your rep you need to service it. Certainly adding cost to the watch. At what point is the watch no longer worth the investment? I have some cheap asian movements that run like 'clockwork'. I have other asians that die within weeks, or months. Same goes for eta's. If many of the newer rep eta's, are being made with used parts, etc. We are screwed. Most certainly most of these CN reps that are currently available that advertise eta models most probably contain knock off CN eta movements. These asian eta's certainly will not be the quality of a genuine 'Swiss' eta. Currently I have an 'eta' service being performed by Z. I hope the problems he is having with some of his current repairs and servicing are not with my watch. I will soon find out.

I am a graphic designer. In art as in life... There is definitely more than one way.

I have spent more money on modding my 3717 than any other rep ever. The Zigmeister has been the magician to make it all happen. Now...marker width's??? For the time being I will be happy with my 3717's as is... But needless to say...having a man like Rob around to work these small miracles, takes the 'Hobby'....to a ho neber lebel.

Great photo comparisons of the cases, and wrist shots. I could not agree more with you guys concerning fit and feel of the Heritage. Most comfortable big watch I own...for sure. The wrist shot showing the 'hockey puck' fit is a classic. My 6.75'' wrist hates that type of watch. Watches like my 196 and 112 seem to fit just 'ok', but feel big and unbalanced and definitely wear very uncomfortably compared to most of the thinnner cased non chronos. But the Heritage at 46mm feels weightless on the wrist, fits perfectly, doesn't slide off to one side or the other. I love this watch. Thanks for the great photos.

Patience...will reach him faster, than any other method.

Bump. Everybody needs to see these wonderful pieces. Wow !

I really don't believe that there are any good 3717's being made these days. For the most part... most of the dealers are only able to source what is currently available. So if what is available is crap...then all the current 3717's are crap. The only really good 3717 reps are those that came from EL's original offering. What has come later, has gotten progressivley worse. I would not recommend ordering the newer CN models. For those that really want this watch, the best way to find one is to look for a 'modded' early model that might come available from an original owner that is looking to sell for love of some new watch. But I'd say these 3717's will sell for 600.00 to 750.00 USD...used.

I wish Pug would get a Heritage...then his photo of it would be an even better photo than that of his SOSF. THAT photo sells more SF's than any rep or gen photo ever has. There is only one Breitling for me...The Heritage RULES.

'Best'? Personally I feel the nicest watch I have seen or worn in a long time is the Breitling Heritage. Although it is certainly not a perfect rep of the gen, it is damn close. But that is not the point. Point is...the Heritage is a beautiful watch. It has a lot of presence on the wrist. It is handsome. It sparkles. Best out of the box? - MBK Nautilus.

IT IS NOT TRUE that the MBK/MBW version of the Nautilus came ONLY with the connected dot pattern. Quite a lot of us ordered the origianl MBK Nautilus with the UNconnected dot pattern. TTK and his offering of this watch was not the only dealer selling this watch last summer...fortunately. I ordered and received my MBK Nautilus with Unconnected dots from a RWG dealer and received it in two weeks. I did not order it from TTK. Until the arrival of my new Breitling Heritage, the MBK Nautilus was the only watch I wore. The MBK Nautilus is without doubt, one of the best of the best reps, ever.

I'm not that unhappy with the lme on mine. The hands and dots look pretty good for a rep. I don't think I'd have The Zigmeister bother. What a beautiful dial this watch has.

Pretend that there is a similar photo of my new black dial Heritage...like Seadweller showed on page#1. My new favorite. This weekends varied selection of beautiful watches was a pleasure to view. We are lucky people to own so many pieces of modern art. Wear them well.

I have a regular Tank Francias, NOT the 2000. Biggest difference in the 2000 models is the correct 'split' Swiss Made below the date window at 6:00pm. The main difference too, is the cost. The 2000 model supposedly has the same swiss eta movemnt as the gen, and THAT is what you are really paying for. Problem is the non 2000 models still currently available have the incorrect 'Swiss Made' and improper placement of the date wheel. For the money the 2000 is the best available, but the normal model is still and eta movement...just not the high dig model. Both are pretty much the same watch.

Without doubt the newer Chinese reps are no where near the same quality as the original TW models that EL sold. The QC issues are terrible with the factory (operation) that produces these particular models. Josh should be accountable for the dial and the movement problems. Another example of dealing with a drop shipping dealer. He/She has ZERO quality control. Ask Josh to personally inspect your replacement 3717...see how far that goes. Perhaps locate a 3717 from another collector, a reliable one... and ask Josh for a trade for another model. The better made 3717's are one of the best reps ever made. But STILL most of the early owners of this watch have had it modded to make a great rep even better. Starting off with a 'bad' version of this rep...makes good modding even harder (more expensive). My advise...get a refund.

Bump. I wanted everyone to see your fantastic photos of the Heritage again. I received this watch today. Black dial. My 1st Breitling. I am stoked that I didn't wait for the promised new and improved Utimate Version #69 that will be released eventually with BOTH mesh and rubber strap attached...blah, blah. I wanted this watch RIGHT NOW. And I am really happy I didn't wait. I replaced the rep strap that came with it with an old black alligator Panny 24mm strap that I had, a nice generic buckle, and boom... the watch fits perfect. What a beautiful dial ! ! The detailing...the indices...the nice gold 'B' and copy are excellent. (Not entirely accurate to the gen,etc., etc.) But who cares?? The bezel has a nice solid click and feel. The ceramic look of the bezel is nicely done. The case itself looks and feels great. The 46mm x 14mm case FITS the wrist beautifully. 46mm on my 6.75 wrist...and it still feels super comfortable. To me it seems to fit more comfortably than my 44 mm pams. I have seen a few gen Heritages in the last week or two, one or two with the mesh bracelet, and two with the rubber bracelet,and the rep looks fantastic in comparison. My local AD had a 46mm with blue dial and a blue rubber strap and retail was over 3000.00. I plan on getting a polished mesh strap for this guy, and will take a few photos of my own. If you have been thinking about this watch....BUY IT...you won't be sorry. Thanks again for the great photos of this watch. They made me buy. Happy I did.

Just returned from a trip to NYC. Went to Wempe. Heaven. I looked around for quite awhile, and saw some unreal watches needless to say. What I DID NOT see was interesting to me. 'Waiting lists' for a couple of my favorites... Firstly, the 45mm Black dial Breitling Heritage They had one and only one, on display..a smaller sized (39mm) with a blue dial. The gen ss bracelet is unreal. Sales guy said the wait was easily one year. Secondly, they had no IWC Pilot Chronos. I was dying to compare it to my rep. No luck. Waiting period on that model he was unable to determine. And the biggest disappointment was the fact that they had no PP Nautilus models at all. Plenty of Nautica's, if I wanted to try one on. When I asked to see the PP brochure to show him the 5717, he went for one and came back with another guy to explain that for all intents and purposes the 5717 was currently 'unavailable'. I am dying to see the gen Nautilus in the flesh. I am wearing the MBK Nauitlus Jumbo as a daily beater, and to hold a genuine Nautilus in my hand would be...well you know. I wonder where Brad Pitt found his? But not to worry, they had quite a few other models to lust over. I tried on a black dialed AP Royal Oak (39mm), and I must say that the current MBK Jumbo of that model is PRETTY DAMN nice. I could spend hours in that shop. I had a similar experience in Las Vegas 6 months ago. A lot of our current rep offerings seem to be unavailable in the genuine's for the most part, in may of the high end shops. I am stoked to be able to wear my rep MBK APRO and PP Nautilus jumbo models that I currently own. The black Heritage is definitely my next purchase. A classic to be sure. Shop responsibly.

Interesting thread...don't you think?

Bump this thread. What a beautiful bunch of photos. After seeing these shots... makes you want one too. Thanks.

Kudos on your great review. Just what I need...another watch.

Don't have a photo to show right now...but I have owned a rep TW Casablanca for 4 years or so, and the quality of the watch is excellent. Correct colored hands etc. In the case of this particular watch my stainless bracelet is VERY nice, and is a dead ringer for the gen. This is a watch that I seldom wear, but would not consider selling. A beautiful sport/dress watch. I purchased the watch from Eddie years ago, and I think the cost was less than 200.00. If you can find a decent one from any of the local collectors, buy it.

Bump. What a beautiful watch. What nice photos. Now of course I want one too. Subaramadingdong!

BUMP!!!! What a beautiful bunch of watches you have. Congratulations.

Pandora for me too. Allows you to listen to whatever you want...whenever you want. Free. I listen to it all day long. Mostly Piano Jazz. Evans...Brubeck...etc.