Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:45 pm
Posts: 1063
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 5 posts
Location: Leicestershire, UK
|
   SOLD - Off Forum. Thanks to BS for hostingFor your consideration, I have a very nice Breitling Airwolf, the A78363. It's the standout Black 'Turbine' or 'Sunburst' Dial version, and is set on the terrific Professional II bracelet. The watch and bracelet are steel, in a classic Mirror-Polish finish, which contrasts nicely with the bidirectional soft-turn bezel, which is in a Satin-Brushed finish. The 'Turbine' caseback is worth a mention too, certainly my favourite of all Breitlings.
The Airwolf was produced from 2006 to 2010. I don't have any original paperwork for this example, but the Sunburst Dial (and Bracelet reference) indicates that this is from the earlier part of the production run (the later pinstripe 'Tuxedo' dial was introduced in around 2009).
For those unfamiliar with this model, the Airwolf was Breitling's replacement for the ever popular B1, and works in a very similar way. It is an 'Ana- Digi' watch, which means that it uses standard analogue hands for displaying the main time, but has two Digital windows which are used to display a variety of other features. All the functions are accessed and controlled by the single crown and the two side pushers - generally, turn the Crown to access the function, and press the pushers to activate. It's a little overwhelming at first, but after you've used it a few times, it is actually quite intuitive, with the digital displays clearly displaying the various features. Don't panic – a PDF file with the Breitling Instruction Manual is included in the package - see below.
There's some useful Technical Specifications and other Information here: http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_de ... al_27.html
I got this back in November last year - it was in very nice condition, though the bracelet and clasp had the usual light 'desk-diver' swirls, and the case had some light marks and blemishes. I asked my watchmaker to work his magic with a clean and polish, and he's obliged with a gentle 'spa' treatment, and done a terrific job. I've not worn it since the tidy-up, so it's fair to say condition is excellent.
With a used watch, I would normally describe the condition of each element to give a thorough description - with this one, it's much easier to describe what isn't perfect...
There are some few tiny micro-scratches on the high-polish bracelet, and I can see a few very tiny 'hairlines' and swirls on the clasp, and some very light scuffing on one clasp edge; the case has a couple of tiny pinprick marks, and also some very small fine swirls, but even on the high-polish finish, any marks really are negligible, certainly no significant nicks/dinks or other nastiness; the caseback has some very insignificant light marks, again nothing nasty. The anti-reflective treatment on the sapphire may have a few tiny swirls (though even up close, I can't really see any obvious marks). There are a couple of very small hairline marks on upper surfaces of the satin brushed bezel, and there's a tiny piece of black 'fill' missing from the lower part of the zero of the engraved '210'. The bezel edge has two very tiny nicks, at 103 and 121.
The manufacturer wording and logo on the clasp is clear and defined - it looks like the wording has been treated with a black 'fill' at some stage - it's mainly gone now anyway, and a gentle wipe with a light solvent would remove it entirely if bothered you (see the pictures, it's not an issue, but I thought I'd mention it).
And that really is it for the 'bad' points - and I'm probably being over-critical – for a 9 or 10 year old watch, condition is outstanding, and any marks that are apparent are the sort that you would pick up within a few weeks of normal wear.
The Dial, AR-treated Sapphire Crystal, Hands, Crown, Pushers are all exceptionally good. All functions are working correctly.
I'll run through the functions - in order: Main Time (12H/24H display option); Alarm; Perpetual Calendar - Day & Date (DD/MM/YY); 1/100th Second Chronograph; Countdown Timer; T2 (Second Time Zone); T2 Alarm; UTC (Coordinated Universal Time(GMT)); Tone (Pushers/Pushers and Hourly Chime/Off); Digital Off.
Both the Alarms can be independently set to on/off. The analogue hands synchronise automatically to the digital time. The watch also has a backlight feature which can initiated by a press on the Crown. Apparently the backlight is 'NVG compatible' - so that if you happen to be wearing Night Vision Goggles, you can still read the illuminated display - handy! The digital display can be set to 'Off', so the watch is purely an analogue display if required.
The Airwolf uses a Breitling 78 movement, a refined version of the ETA E20.341 Thermoline SuperQuartz movement. It's amazingly accurate - officially rated at within +/- 10 seconds per year! That does sound about right – the watch has lost 5 seconds in the 6 months I've had it. As you would expect, the watch is a Certified Chronometer, which means that is has successfully achieved the extremely stringent accuracy criteria set by the watch industry.
The watch is set on the superb Breitling Professional II steel Bracelet, in a mirror-polished finish - I think it's full sized (it has 5 removable links) so will comfortably fit an 8.5" wrist at present. It really is in super condition after the spa treatment, some tiny micro-scratches at worst, and no stretching. The bracelet is date coded for April 2006 (S1506), again indicating that this was one of the first generation Airwolf models. The Pro II has micro-adjustment available at the clasp, so it is relatively straightforward to get a perfect fit.
As mentioned, I don't have the original paperwork - I'll supply the watch in a new Breitling Travel/Repair case with cushion and polishing cloth. (I do have a correct-for-watch new Breitling Box set if you'd like to upgrade - please ask for details if interested). I'll send the buyer a PDF file with the Breitling 78 Instruction Manual - you'll need it initially if you're not familiar with setting and use of this model.
Measurements: Width (without Crown): 43.5mm (48.6mm with Crown). Thickness: 16.9mm. Lug-to-lug: 53mm. Lug Width: 22mm. Weight (with all links included): 204 grams.
Wow, I'd forgotten how nice this is! It's super accurate as you'd expect from the SuperQuartz movement. It's a big beast, at 43.5mm across (without the crown or pushers), deep at 16.9mm, and heavy too - at 204 grams, it's got a serious and substantial wrist presence. As mentioned, my watchmaker has given the watch a gentle 'spa' treatment, so while you might find the odd tiny micro-scratch on the steel case and bracelet, condition is generally excellent. Despite its size and weight, the handsome black dial and the mirror-polished steel case and Pro II bracelet give the watch a very dressy appearance, set off beautifully by the Satin-Brushed finish to the bezel.
This Breitling model is no longer in production, so to find one in such nice condition is rare. Last produced in 2010, it carried a hefty retail price of £3350. The last equivalent model (the Chronospace) was listed at £5110!
I'm asking an extremely reasonable £1279. The price includes Next Day Special Delivery for Forum members. If you're overseas, Tracked/Insured shipping will be at cost (drop me a PM if you want a specific quote for your region, but you're looking at @ £25 for W Europe, £35 for ROTW.).
I reckon that's an extremely good deal for someone out there, so the price is firm. I'd prefer a straight sale, as I'm trying to thin the herd a bit, but I'm happy to listen to trade offers - Breitling/Omega being my main weaknesses...
I've loads of Feedback on here, I'm a 'Top Rated' e-bay seller (3800+ deals, 100%, username 'goonermike'), and I've got plenty of Feedback on TZ-UK (username 'BigBird'), so there are no worries there.
I'd prefer a Bank Transfer for payment. PayPal if absolutely necessary, or for overseas, but I cannot accept PayPal Gifts (my account just won't accept them, and I get charged even on gifts). So if you want to use PayPal, it'll be via the 'official' route, and you'll need to add 3% to cover Fees.
If I've missed anything, you'd like more info or pics, please feel free to PM me.
Cheers!
Mike
Lots of photos to follow, spread over several subsequent posts...
_________________
"Behind every great fortune there is a crime" - Balzac
Last edited by goonermike on Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
|
|
Login
Register
FAQ
