The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am new to this forum and to the Breitling brand for that matter. My fiance is buying me a Breitling as a wedding gift and I am having a really hard time deciding which one to pick. I went to the jewelry store in STL where they are sold and tried a few on. They had a pretty good selection but not all of the ones I am interested in. I have narrowed it down to 4 choices and I would really like to hear comments or see actual pictures of any of them.

1. Chronomat Evolution with all Slate dial
2. Chronomat Evolution with Black Dial/Silver Subdials
3. Super Avenger with Black Dial/Silver Subdial
4. Avenger Skyland with all Slate Dial

I want the steel bracelet no matter which model I choose. I realize the Chronomat is a little more expensive than the others but I kind of like the bracelet on those a little better. Any info or advise would be really appreciated. What price can she expect to pay for these?

Welcome aboard. Very nice wedding present. You are going to get many votes for the Super Avenger or Full Ling as it is commonly referred to on the forum. It's not for me, just too big of a watch for my little girly wrist. I really like the pilot bracelet too. My next Breitling will be either the Chronomat or the Blackbird. There are lots of photos in the gallery section.
As far as a discount goes, she should be able to get between 10-25% off or possibly a bit more. It really depends on model and the AD. My local AD was only willing to give me 10% off my recent Steelfish purchase. Thanks to the forum and it's wonderful members, I was able to buy from an out of state AD for 20% off and saved the 5% sales tax too boot. If she would like the name of the AD just shoot me a pm. Enjoy the Breitling and best of luck with your marriage.

Welcome! As far as I'm concerned, your fiance couldn't buy you a better gift! Since I just got a new Chronolog (Breitling Catalogue) and price list, here are the published Breitling prices for the watches you want. Prices are the same in U.S. and Canada:

1. Chronomat Evolution with all Slate dial $5100.
2. Chronomat Evolution with Black Dial/Silver Subdials $5100.
3. Super Avenger with Black Dial/Silver Subdial $3995.
4. Avenger Skyland with all Slate Dial $3920.

No wonder you like the Pilot bracelet on the Chronomat, that alone is worth $1100.00. The PRO II bracelet on the SA and Skyland is $420.00, still an outstanding bracelet. Whichever watch you choose, they all have the same B13 movement, one of the best chronograph movements.
My personal choice is the Avenger Skyland. I was going to wait and get a Blackbird, same size as the Chronomat but with a different movement, but the Skyland jumped out at me. I could not be more pleased with my decision. Like emottran says, you should be able to get between 15-20% off, but that depends on the AD. Apparently prices are going up fairly soon, so now is a good time to buy.
Congratulations on both the marriage and the new watch, and enjoy both with good health!
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

From a Chronomat Evolution owner (black w/ silver subs on pilot bracelet) I can give you a little insight.

From staring at Ron's 5,000 posts of his Evo (slate with black subs and diamonds) I thought that was the one for me..... But honestly after seeing the black dial with silver subs, I fell in love with it. It is all personal taste. But I would definitely visting your AD or another AD to actually see and wear the different models. Believe me it makes a HUGE difference. Also ask to walk over to the window and view the watch using natural light.

Now having said that, understand that I wear my SuperOcean Steelfish during the week as my daily watch. Now my steelfish is an awesome watch (and conciderably less expensive), that can take a little abuse, but let me tell you that EVERY time I trade to the Evolution... I feel like its Christmas! Giant smile!

Now I would 1) go to multiple AD's if you have to to see in person the diffent watches your interested but be prepared to walk out with something not even on your list and 2) deside ahead it you want a flashy polished type watch or a wear anywhere type watch...... or could I suggest buy both!

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

Definitely go try them on.

I walked in to the store ready to buy a Blackbird (basically a black/black Chronomat Evolution with a slightly (beautiful) different bracelet), though the Evo was on my list as well. Make a list of what is important to you and then go shopping.

I walked out with the black-dial Skyland Avenger. For me, I think the biggest deciding factor was dressiness. Khaki pants and a golf shirt is my wardrobe 8 months out of the year, and I just liked to chunkiness/sportiness of the Skyland. And, oddly, while I like the looks of contrasting subdials like on the Evo the black on black with the white stenciled numbers on the Skyland is super-easy to read.

Don't get me wrong, they are all beautiful watches so you cannot go wrong, but I would recommenend giving them all a test drive in the store. Viewing them in natural light is also grea advice. You wouldn't believe how the dials change in different conditions. Take some time in the store and I bet one will speak to you.

You obviously picked a woman with class and taste Congratualtions on your marriage and your watch, best wishes that they both last a lifetime.

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Coral Dial SuperOcean
Black Dial Avenger Skyland
Arctica Dial Bentley G/T Racing

Coral Club Founding Father

Welcome, and congratulations on both the marriage and expecting a truly great gift!

As you've already seen several times here, the only reasonable thing to do is to go to an AD that have the choices in stock and try them on. Personal taset is everything, other's advice is not even on a second place... It's you that'll wear the watch (hopefully every day) and it's you that'll be staring at it (because the first days/weeks with a Breitling IS staring, instead of the more subtle glancing/looking).

On your list I have number 3, a black SA with silver subdials. I think it's more or less a larger AS, and I prefer the SA over the AS size anyday. My next item on the list is a Chronomat, and then most likely it'll be a red dial (to diversify the collection). I probably would select contrasting subdials over equal subdials. That would make my own rating on your wish list...

SA
Chronomat Black/Silver
Chronomat all Slate
AS

But as I said, that would just be my personal preference. That may differ quite a bit from someone else's.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I went in to buy the Super Avenger but I ended up getting a Steelfish so I would get the SA.

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Adam
SuperOcean Steelfish

Your choice boils down to a number of things, but the main two are aesthetics and cost. The two Chronomats from teh Windrider range are the same except for the dial colour, so that really is just down to which ever you like more. The Chronomat is a little more dressy than the other two and does arguably have the nicer bracelet (5 rows instead of 3), although the Pro II is very much in keeping with the sportier Aeromarine range. It's around 43.7mm in diameter and has a couple of nice touches such as screw-down push-pieces, that the other models do not have.

The Skyland from the Aeromarine range is a similar size to the Chronomat in diameter, but wears a little larger on the wrist as it is thicker. It is also a little more sporty in style than the Chronomat.

The SA is by far the largest (both diameter, thickness and weight) and you do need reasonable sized wrists to carry it off, but it is an enormously satisfying watch to own. (Obviously I am slightly biased here as the SA is only one of the models you mention that I personally own!). The SA's size though often means that it is seen as "too much" to start with though....

In all cases, they are stainless steel, the movement is the same (Calibre 13) and they are all waterproof to 300m..... so as I say it really comes down to what you like the look of the most and what your g/f can afford!

Oh and as the others have said there is NO SUBSTITUTE to going and trying them on. NEVER buy cold from pictures alone.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Go with the FULL LING, the Super Avenger.

You'll love it!

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

First of all thank you for all of the well wishes and great advice. I am going to go this weekend and try to check all of them out in person. I am up in KC for school so I was wondering if anyone is familar with the AD Meierotto's? I do not have that large of wrists so I am straying away from the SA...but I think I will give it a try nonetheless. Of the 4 that I mentioned in my previous post is the CE series the only one with the shinier bracelet?...am I correct in thinking the Professional bracelet is more of a brushed color? Thanks again.

I think it depends on the model. My Steelfish has a brushed professional bracelet, but I think other models have polished professional bracelets.

The Japanese site is always a good starting point to look at different colour options.

http://www.breitling.co.jp/fitting/

I've never understood why a similar feature isn't on the English site.

Not a tough choice for me, hardely a choice at all. The Evo is the obvious concern.

It is not as big as the SA, but I could care less as long as its over 42MM. The construction, detail, and finish on the Evo is a step up from the rest. It truly is an exceptional watch. To my eyes the SA is a nice enough watch I suppose but holds no attraction other than sheer size as far as I am concerned. I have not heard people talk about how well made it is or how the fit and finish is etc just how big it is. The Evo is classier and will stand the test of time, I love mine and have designated it as an all time "keeper". Also the SA does not seem to be as well thought out as say the Bentley Motors or 6.75 and feels a bit awkward on my wrist.


The Skyland is a nice watch too but I find it boring, it just has no "pop" like my Blue Evo.

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Certified watch nut.

For trying on the SA, it'll feel like a monster the first seconds/minutes on your wrist. Give it at least 5-10 minutes to settle because you'll need it. Speaking from experience... And, then, you'll love it.

The Pro II bracelet of the SA is very polished and shine. Not near to be even the slightest brushed. I'm not as sure for the AS Pro II, but it would surprise me if it isn't the same polishing there.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I am going to check things out this weekend and I will let everyone know which one I decide on. I already have a few AD's people have recommended so I am going to have her give them a call as well. Anything else I need to know about before I hit the store on saturday?