Hi Folks,
Having had my Seawolf since Oct 2, just thought I would share some observations with all of you.
Model: 2010 Breitling Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf, Yellow dial, PRO II bracelet
Movement: B17 based on the automatic ETA 2824-2 movement
Diameter: 45.4mm
Thickness: 18.5mm
Weight: 159.2grams
For the first couple of weeks, the watch was actually running out of COSC spec, at about 7-8 sec. per day too fast. I kept wearing it,though, even on the weekends, and it settled into a steady 6sec per day for awhile. Now I am happy to say it is at about 5 sec per day too fast, hopefully an indication that it will get even better.
Aesthetics or Mechanics as a reason to buy a watch? For me, it is more aesthetics, although after having a couple of Rolex watches (I still have my Explorer I), it has made me pay a lot more attention to the mechanical aspects. The Explorer is the most accurate I have ever had. At one point, after I got the Seawolf, I didn't wear it for almost 3 weeks. I managed to get it to within a second per day accuracy simply by rotating it on my desk at night 180 degrees, between resting on the crown and the crown up.
The Seawolf has always been to me the epitome of what a gents' Breitling should be. It is rugged and sturdy, a definite tool watch, and the fit and finish are fantastic, too. Why did I choose a yellow dial? I had always looked at the yellow and coral dials sort of from a distance, admiring but never thinking I would have one. A week before I got the Seawolf, I had picked up a Steelfish with silver dial at my AD, and had noticed the Seawolf in the display case. I was so taken with the Steelfish that I didn't really pay much attention to the Seawolf. During the next week, I realized that I should have gotten a Seawolf instead of the Steelfish. Fortunately, my AD gave me a full credit for the Steelfish, and I got the Seawolf, the yellow dial being the only one they had. I already had a Seawolf, which I traded, and probably would have got the black dial if there was a choice. Now I am very glad to have the yellow. I'm not really used to having anything other than black, so it has taken some getting used to. However, with the beautiful greyish stencilled arabics, and the wide markers with silver borders - not to mention the silver border around the square date window, and the lovely bevelled edge which surrounds the date - it looks fantastic. The other Seawolf dials have the white numerals, and the greyish works so well with the yellow dial. The PRO II is amazing, maybe some day I will get an Ocean Racer for a change.
Beautiful big crown, very easy to wind and set the time, and it looks great. That was one of my beefs with the Steelfish, could not get used to the slippery crown.
Funnily enough, this is the biggest and heaviest watch I have owned, and it is also the most comfortable. I guess the weight of the case just makes it rest well on the wrist. Even my previous Seawolf, with the Ocean Racer strap, was equally as comfortable. I can have it on all day at work, and unless I glance at it, I would not realize I am wearing it. Quite a thing when you consider the dimensions and weight of it! It is very easy to micro adjust the strap length as well, with the holes and spring bar within the clasp.
I have always been a big fan of the rider tabs on the Breitlings. They have protected both the crystal and the case on many occasions, when I have my hands in and out of machinery at work. I realize that for some, they can tear away at shirt cuffs, but I wear a t-shirt at work, so it doesn't really affect me. I also love the fact that the movable bezel is all stainless steel, and neither painted nor treated. The brushed finish on the bezel, top of the case and PRO II bracelet really suits the watch, and look great with the polished sides of bezel and case.
That's about all I can think of for now. This is a watch I got almost by chance, but it has turned out to be one that I am really glad to own.
Thanks for taking the time to read my comments!
Cheers,
Carl
