The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello,
I have been contemplating my next watch purchase for about a month now. I have gone from wanting an Oris TT1, to an Oris TT1 Small-seconds, and now to either a Breitling Seawolf or Super Avenger. I went to my local AD the other day and tried some on, of course they had every Breitling known to man except the Seawolf... I do not have the biggest of wrists (7") but it is very flat and the Super Avenger looked fine, big but fine. I was fairly set on getting the Seawolf, but I am less attracted to the new 6 and 9 o-clock markers and the bezel than the older one. I had no intent on even looking at the Super Avenger, as I do not like chronographs, but there was something about the watch that I cannot quite put my finger on, but it attracted me to it, especially on the bracelet.

I want the watch not only for looks but functionality, it is not a cheap watch and I expect to get my money out of it (I can easily tell from briefly handling them that with the quality they are probably worth every penny), but I will use the watch, it will not get babied, and I'm sure in five years it will have scratches and such all over it...but that adds character. I know the Seawolf is going to be about as tough as a watch can be, but how about the Super Avenger? It is rated to 300m w/r, and its massive case has to be much stronger than an average watch, but the chronograph worries me. I am not going to abuse the watch by any means, but I will wear it outdoors, and I'm sure it will get accidentally bumped and knocked around.

I like the aesthetics of the Super Avenger more, but the Seawolf is probably more functional. From personal experience, what watch do you feel is, perhaps not better, but more suited to my needs, a decent looking watch that will be equally suited with a formal occasion and a hunting trip. I love almost everything about the Super Avenger, but can anyone assuage my feelings about toughness? Do you feel the extra cost of the Super Avenger would be justified?

On a different note, does anybody know the thickness of the sapphire crystal of either the watches? Also, I compete in action pistol (USPSA) competitions and shoot at least once each week. Does anyone know if there are any negative effects on an automatic watch? I see many people who shoot with Rolex Submariners and such and experience no issues, and then others say it is a bad idea, does anyone know of any deleterious effects?

Thanks for the help.

I have a skyland and dont baby it at all. I enjoy my watches and believe that is the way it should be. Side note: If the super avenger and the seawolf mated, their child would be a skyland (you may wanna add that to your choices).

Anyways, both watches should be just about equally durable. If any impact causes damage to one of them, it will likely cause it to the other as well. Unless youre a professional diver, you wont even get close to the limits of either of their water resistance ratings. Since you havent tried the seawolf yet, im not sure if you know that its a brushed finish, and not shiny and polished like the super avenger. Whether thats a good or a bad thing is up to you. There was talk on another forum as to the effects of shooting with an automatic watch, and the general consensus seems to be that it doesnt make a difference.

Just get the one you like more and be done with it!

_________________
-RJ

I'm definitely a Super Avenger guy. As for shooting, I wouldn't do too much of it with an Automatic even if others say it shouldn't be a problem... Keep a G-shock in your glove box for that

On a side note I've done some IPSC Running Man... lots of fun

_________________

I just purchased a black batton dial super avenger on croco deployment. I love it, Feels more like a 44mm with black dial. I too was torn between seawolf and the super avenger but, for this purchase it was for my 50th birthday and the super avenger just put a big smile on my face.

I still haven't figured out the appeal of the SA - Seawolf for me every time, although RJRJRJ makes a very good point about the Skyland.

To me the SA just wouldn't be as popular if it were smaller, the Seawold (and Skyland) are great looking at any size - but that's just me.

The g-forces from pistol shooting will not have any impact at all on an automatic movement in any of these watches, and in terms of crystal thickness they are different from model to model but from memory are generally between about 5 and 8 mm.

I do alot of shooting myself and would never beat up one my Breitlings in the range. I have a couple of quartz watches when shooting and training. That way I can beat the hell out of them and not ever have to think about it. Good luck.

_________________
YOU CAN'T HAVE A GREAT TIME WITHOUT A GREAT WATCH.........MAKE IT A BREITLING

I have shot with almost every watch I own, and havent had a problem. But until now I never considered how harmful it could be to the movement. Time to pick up a good quartz swiss army dive master for range outings. Also, I would recommend the Skyland. Best of both worlds.

Hey MasterOfEvil,
Welcome to the best watch forum!
When the new Seawolf first came out, and I saw the photos of it, I thought exactly the same as you do about the batons at 6 and 9 o'clock. Then I saw it in person, and I loved it right away. There is no photo I have seen - anywhere - that does this watch justice. Please see it in person before you give up on it. You will see that the batons at 6 and 9 o'clock actually have a silver surround, to match the calendar's silver surround at 3 o'clock. Although the two batons are longer and narrower than the calendar, they do give it a very symmentrical appearance. The triangle at 12 o'clock is great, also silver surround. I prefer that black dial, but the grey also looks great. The dial on mine is flat black, unlike the Super Avenger and the Avenger Skyland, and it really makes the white numerals stand out. The case and bezel are brushed on the top, and polished on the sides. The crown is nice and big, and easy to use, and is also polished. It is thicker than the Skyland, but slightly thinner than the Super Avenger. To me, it sits on the wrist beautifully, and is very comfortable in spite of it's dimensions and weight. I believe it is the heaviest Breitling.
I agree with you, a watch is meant to be used and the scratches, over time, will only give it character. This is one strong, rugged watch, but it is still simplistic and beautiful. It is becoming quite a popular watch already. Here is a link to my post, I had the Ocean Racer strap put on it:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7153
Metal86 also has a couple of postings, with his grey model with stainless PRO II strap. The PRO II, I think, fits the grey dial better than the black.
Ayway, happy hunting and let us know what you end up with.
Cheers,
Carl

_________________
'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

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

Man, I totally sympathize with your dilema...I love the SA and I also love the Seawolf the more I look at it. I am actually struggling with the same tough choice!...(although I have also included the SA Blacksteel in my toturous decision too!)

So I can't really give you a decision on which I would pick right now, as I'm undecided myself...but here's what I would pull the trigger on tomorrow if it was available:

I wish there was a Super Avenger Seawolf...the new 2009 Seawolf (complete with brushed bezel and case), with the 48mm size of a SA...

No one has heard a rumor of Breitling releasing a line of those in the near future, have they???

I think you answered your own question there Roff!

I'm sure I'm teaching you to suck eggs here, but I'm going to say it anyway! - the differentiating appeal of the SA is undoubtedly the size as if it wasn't for that it'd be almost exactly the same as the AS (give or take a few minor aesthetics). I think yesterday you said you like watches with something different to offer, and for me the SA gives that in terms of it's dimensions. Yes it's big, but it's also very wearable, and depending on the size of your wrists it's doesnt look out of place at all..... unlike some of the massive U-Boat models.

Personally I also like the aesthetics of the SA which, added to the fact that it fits me, is why I have one.

@ the OP - In terms of this thread, I'd say that the Seawolf is definitely the more "tool" than the SA. The SA is much more flashy which, depending on what you are looking for, is either a good thing or a bad thing. Not that the SW could exactly be described as "shy and retiring" of course, but the brushed finish and slightly smaller proportions mean it's a little less attention grabbing than the SA.

My advice - try both if you can. There's no substitute for that....... and it's good fun too!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

An agonizingly fun decision. I have an SA, wear it to shoot IDPA almost every weekend. No problems yet (only had a month) keeps near perfect time (+2 sec in a month). I also shoot local 2 and 3 gun matches. I do take it off for the shotgun races. Not for the watches sake but for my own, all that hard cycling rattles the watch against the upper surface (that would be dorsal surface,D8) of my hand and kinda hurts after awhile. Try the SW, try the AS too, it is kind of the love child of the SW and SA. That might be the one. HAve fun!!

_________________
Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

Thanks for that Boney! Just another 17 million medical terms to go and I'll be applying for a doctorate myself!

With your assistance I should qualify as Dr Driver by 2085!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

I was concidering one of those for my next watch, so I went to the AD and tried them both on. The SA to me was just a big chunk of steel and the SW didn't appeal to me enough.. So im going for a Omega Ocean Planet XL as a tool/beater watch instead.

_________________

Well if you do not like Chronos, maybe look into the superOcean Steelfish. its a nice size watch at 44mm and with any Breitling, it will get attention. I feel the circle marking add to the "tool" aspect of the watch. The def look fabulous once the lume comes alive. It might be an added bonus that the watch fits under cuffs.

Whatever you do, get a black dial. That AR coating is MAGNIFICENT!