Well the Breitling Colt II Auto.....
A great "entry level" watch into the fantastic world of Breitling.
"Entry"... being a rather misunderstood word in this case... as this watch IMPO puts some more expensive models to shame. Most things seem overcooked
Image......
The Breitling Colt, is an entry level watch, as that was Breitlings original intention many years ago. The original Colt (quartz) was first used by the military who wanted an accurate timekeeper, and a watch that could stand high impact levels. The colt has grown in size to 40-41mm over the years, (and now to 44mm, which I think is a shame, and the current 2012 model I feel has lost its way, style wise). 41mm...A great size, for people who want something a bit understated, that don't shout about their watches.
Looks.....
Simple is better. No arabic numbers for markers.... just clean plain stick batons with luminous tips. Black, Blue or Silver dial with a band of concentric circles tramlined beneath the markers. Date aperture at 3 o'clock position. Straight hands filled with lume, sword edge angled tips. Seconds hand with lume filled Red tipped arrow marker. White Gold Breitling "Wings" logo.
Lettering...
BREITLING
1884
COLT
CHONOMETRE
AUTOMATIC
500m/1650FT
Only improvement I feel, would be to remove the 24hour markers from the dial. Wasted IMPO.
Movement......
Breitling 17
uses an ETA 2824-2 movement with a 42 hour power reserve.
Finished by Breitling S.A
Reliable and smooth winding and its best.
Feel.......
The Pro 2 bracelet on the Colt is very comfortable, but with the high mirror polish.. it's prone to swirlies.The Glass as with all modern Breitlings is dual AR coated which makes it nigh on invisible at times, a very clean looker.
The lume on the hands is brilliant. The lume on the end of the batons less so. The weight of the watch is there, but less obtrusive than other models...... and on the rubber/leather its much lighter. At 12.4mm in depth, its relatively flat in Breitling terms. Only an Aerospace Avantage at 10.4mm (in the modern line up) is thinner. Although the Aero has only a 100m WR rating. The bezel has a nice positive click and uni-directional
Packaging......
Breitling on the other hand is now producing cracking packaging. Outer black and yellow hard box, (new ones have the Aeroplane style outer, and slightly larger) with a black bakelite inner and even a smaller leather carry pouch too. Compartment underneath for the instruction manual, C.O.S.C and warranty papers. Gone are the old nightmare faulty hinged boxes of the late 90's early 2000's.
You don't wear a box, so its a bit useless really, but nice to keep for that "complete package".
Residuals.......
People BANG ON about residuals, this should only worry you if you are going to buy new, from the AD without discount, and are thinking of selling quickly !
As with most Breitlings you'll take the hit, if you bought new and want to sell within a few years.
If you buy on the second hand market.... the world is your lobster. You can find most Colt II's on the used market for around the £1000 (GBP) mark, which offers a helluva lotta watch for the money.
In the used market, you'd need to spend 3 times as much on a Rolex, to get a questionably "better" watch.
Overall as an everyday watch.......
I like the fact the Colt II goes with anything, and can be worn for any occasion. It doesn't shout at you, but its a quality product through and through.
Well done Breitling.
Matte brushed outerlinks modification
Production Years: 2006-2011
Gender: Mens
Case Materials Available: Steel
Movement: Breitling 17
Power Reserve: 42 Hours
Water Resistance: 500m
Bezel: Unidirectional
Crown: Screw-Locked
Crystal: Sapphire
Diameter: 41.1mm
Thickness: 12.4mm
Weight: 90.2g
Bracelet: Professional II
Lug Width: 20mm
Watchwinder Direction: Both
Reference Numbers: a17380