Well, I am new to the Breitling forum and wanted to introduce myself. My story is a little unusual but has a happy ending (or is it the beginning?)
The only other nice watch I ever owned was a Rolex Submariner II I got as a gift in 1991. Still have it, wore it everyday, it's faded and a little "vintage" looking. Never kept great time, and the customer service at Rolex HQ in NY was terrible so I vowed never to buy another.
A friend of mine has a nice stainless Breitling with diamonds on the bezel. He loves it and got me interested in these watches for the first time, but I never looked very seriously.
I traveled to Phnom Penh in 2009 and bought a fake Breitling for $20 (I know! Sorry!). I got so many more compliments on it than I ever got on my Rolex, I took to wearing it every day. It did look like a million bucks. And I loved telling people it was a fake, $20, Cambodia, etc.
So on my 50th birthday, I went down to Cabo San Lucas with my girlfriend. No intention of buying a watch, but we were in the high-end part of the mall and just looking around. The luxurious decor, the showroom, the salesman, the whole experience just pulled me in. I looked at the watches and the best looking one by far was the Super Avenger. The salesman said I could take it home right then. I didn't even consider buying it. The GF said, "just get it, you know you'll regret it if you don't". The salesman marked it down to a point I was really thinking I'd be stupid to pass it up. He arranged tax-back credit, even though there was no tax. I looked through the catalog there to be sure there was no other watch I'd rather have. Maybe I could have gotten it for less by doing a lot of shopping, but sometimes the whole experience of something is worth a little more. Know what I mean? This was that kind of time. Everything came together.
The watch is amazing. I have never seen a clearer crystal. Sometimes I look at it just right and it's like you can reach in and touch the hands. Although it's perfectly clear, it reflects slightly blue as it should, and pulls in light beautifully. The stainless is perfect, and the size and weight of the watch are awesome. I have to relearn how to wear and care for a watch so that it doesn't wind up worn-looking like my Rolex!
Two minor suggestions for the next model: I wish the Breitling logo was not at 2 o'clock. It sounds minor, but if you glance at the watch, half the time I think it is 2-something o'clock. The logo is almost the same size as the hour hand. In the vertical position, you would not have this problem. Also, I wonder if the bezel would look better if fully polished, not brushed. It's the only part of the watch that is brushed, so a little odd. Not sure I dislike it in any way, just worth commenting on.
Thanks for the help in my past trolls and thanks for reading!
