I’d never really considered a multifunction watch, but I travel a lot, and I struggle with GMT watches. They don’t really do it for me, and I’ve gone through 4 or 5 with the same result.
So last summer, when I found a great deal on ebay on a B1 that was in like-new condition, I snagged it and immediately fell in love. The functionality was great, and it felt like a Breitling, not a cheap digital watch.
Then something strange happened – someone approached me on ebay about buying the watch for significantly more that what I paid. Not a little….enough to repurchase the B1 as well as fund more than 50% of another Breitling. So I sold it, telling myself I would replace it once I had the chance.
As I looked around, I came across the Tag Chronotimer. It had the same functionality (minus the Super Quartz movement), plus the added benefit of water resistance to 300M. AND it was about $900, so it seemed like a deal.
There were only 3 problems:
1) The skeleton hands made it impossible to read the time in sunlight or low-light situations, and
2) It seemed cheap compared to the B1, So….
3) I rarely wore it.
The final straw was the day I wore it to a movie, and before the film, I struggled to read the dial without illuminating the backlight.
So I sold it, and decided to pursue an Airwolf (first choice), Aerospace or another B1. I read enough about the Airwolf to know that I might struggle with the turbine dial and the skeleton hands, so I tried to focus on a newer model with solid hands. I also looked at the newer Aerospaces, but I liked the wrist presence of the Airwolf.
This week,, I found my replacement – a 2008 Black Dial Airwolf.
After a quick polish to the bracelet and brushing of the bezel, it looks great. I love the dial – I know some are put off by the numbers, but I really prefer the applied indices and numerals on the Airwolf vs. the B1.
I also like the bezel – I don’t use it, so while the B1 may be more functional, I like the brushed compass of the airwolf.
And I also prefer the Pro II vs. the fighter – it was easy to polish this without worrying about brushed center links.
I’m hoping this one stays around for a while. I’m taking a vacation west this summer, and plan to mount this on either a Hershey or Isofrane, so will take some pics once I decide. Thanks for looking!