The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Let me start by mentioning that I have always been a big fan of black watches. I was looking at the Chanel J12 Chrono Black Ceramic for my next watch until I saw the Blackbird Blacksteel a few months ago on Breitlings website. I have always been a fan of Ling's and the rubber strap, and that watch wou;d satisfy my needs perfectly. The only downside for me is that it is significantly more expensive than a standard Blackbird. I tried on the SA in black but it is way too big of a face for my small wrist and it has a quartz movement where I am totally stuck on the automatic movements. What are your feelings on the Blackbird Blacksteel? One thing making it difficult for me right now is the $7000+ price tag from my AD making it about a grand more than I paid for my Navi World and $3k+ more than my CSO. I was offered $3k in trade for the CSO but that still leaves me $4000 or so away from the Blackbird. The other thing killing it for me is that all the AD's in my area do not have one. All they said they can do is let my try on a regular Blackbird with the diver pro 2 deployment strap to verify size and fitment then take a non refundable 50% deposit to get one sent from a store across the country which at that point commits me to buying it regardless. This is a big leap for me on a watch I can't even see in person before the purchase. What are your opinions on my dilemma?

The SA has an automatic movement, the Breitling 13 caliber.
If it's black watches you prefer but would like one smaller in size than the SA and more in line with that of the Blackbird, you might consider the Avenger Skyland Blacksteel, released as a LE of 2000. You're not likely to find one at an AD any longer but they pop up quite regularly on ebay and go for a lot less than the new Blackbird BS price. Just a thought and perhaps another option for you.

There are authorized dealers who will give you a defined period of time to evaluate a purchase and offer a full refund if you don't like it, assuming you don't go wearing the watch. This is to accommodate customers who are not local and have to order "blind," receiving the watch through the mail. For dealers who cater to "long distance" clients, it would obviously hinder their business substantially if they didn't offer some way of mitigating risk. I would suggest you go back to your AD and tell them if they can't offer a similar accommodation, you will take your business to a dealer who will. The primary advantage of going with a local AD is the ability to see and try on models before buying; if your dealer can't offer that, they can't distinguish themselves from any number of other ADs in the country competing for your business. That may not persuade them, but at least you've stood up for yourself and let them know their policies don't cut it. And if you really want to have fun, once you get the watch from someone else, you can take it the into the local AD to have the bracelet adjusted, just so they can see the business they didn't get.

Sorry about the mistake. It was an Avenger Seawolf Chrono in Blacksteel that I tried on. I will definitely take a look at the Avenger Skyland. Thank you for the input.

My AD is normally very good about that, but they only had 2 in the system and both were cross country from me. They told me if it was any non Limited Edition Ling, they could get it shipped to them without a deposit with no problem.

Ah, yeah, the LE thing would make a difference, I suppose. Come to think of it, the dealer I just bought my CSO from - who's giving me a 7-day risk free period to inspect the watch - was requiring a deposit to order an Omega LE I was considering. OK, forget what I said.

you must have gone to tourneau, we'll put an end to that. dont worry

Thats exactly where it was. The store in Aventura Mall to be exact. I'm going to do my best to make it up there this Saturday.

Normally I’m not a big fan of the black watch fad but I have to admit I really liked the LE “Black” Blackbird...very stealthy. My AD in Winston-Salem, NC had one put away in his safe and took it out for me to check out. He told me he didn’t want to put it on display and have it handled too much because he only had one. I was lucky enough to be the first customer to try it on because no one else asked about it. Bottom line…it’s a beauty! I also have to agree with you that the price of over $7K is a bit steep. I believe I’ve seen one posted for sale here. I’m not sure what the seller was asking but it was a bit less than the AD price. If you’re serious about buying one be patient. I’m sure someone will post one for sale again.
Good luck!
Carlos

I am thinking about picking one of these up. When I bought my Avenger code yellow I saw the blackbird blacksteel and I was tempted to take it instead. It is very stealthy indeed, like a blackbird should be in my opinion!

I do not regret getting the code yellow but I am thinking about getting the blackbird aswell. However my woman will not like it since I bought my last watch in december. But she is getting a new car within 1 or 2 months so after that I should be safe

Just hope my AD still has it by then

Local AD has one of the BBBS, so I went in tonight to take a peak.
I have to say, I think this may have to be my next watch!
I fell in love with it tonight. And yes it is a steep price point.
I'm wondering what kind of discount you could get from an AD on the BS Blackbird...
Thoughts?

_________________
Cheers,
Christopher

Currently...
Blackbird, Black Hercules, PAM 000
Down to a humble three...

I wonder how the blacksteel really is, I mean does it really improve durability and is it scratchproof?

Why I ask is cause I am considering a blackbird blacksteel. But I wonder if its really scratchproof, if not you will really notice wear alot sooner. If you see the lighter color metal through the scratch on the blacksteel you notice it alot more.

Anyone has any experience with stuff like this?

Search will help you.

DLC is extremely scratch resistant, but because it is a surface coating dings can cause the metal to show through. Also, it will eventually wear in high rub areas - edges of buckes for example.

Thank you.

Well search didnt give me a result (probably just me) not even a google one.

Hmm... I must say that does sound slightly dissapointing. Especially cause of the wear in the high rub areas!

I have the standard brushed Blackbird and love it. The blacksteel looks more sporty and I like the red accents. A very nice watch.
And as Carlos mentioned there is one on the sales forum.