The Breitling Watch Source Forums

There are two version of this review, a quick review and a very quick review.

The very quick version: This is one of the finest watches money can buy. get one!



The quick review:


Ever since they announced the Navy seals watches, I have lusted after one model in specific, the Navy Seal Alarm. I had very high hopes for this watch, and since I never saw one in the flesh I was hesitant, but boy did it deliver!

First of, the design of the watch is just fantastic! Simple yet interesting, rugged yet elegant, just a damn fine job here again by JLC!

Then there is the finish, hoo boy when you talk about JLC finishing you are talking about the very best, Immaculate down to the last detail, the way they do titanium is unmatched, except MAYBE by Panerai, but even then its a tie at best. Finely brushed lines across the case that speak of a master craftsman at work. Couple that with the VERY attractive "black titanium" bezel and you have a real winner here! The bezel material looks like a mix between PVD and Titanium and combined with the case the whole package just has a very attractive matte feel to it.



The striking white indices and numerals coupled with the bezel indicator contrast, but not too heavily, against the the over all matte design. the touch of red on the seconds dial is very nice! juuuuuust about enough.

The watch comes with a number of strap options, every one superb! And I do mean SUPERB! The titanium bracelet is finely finished and well engineered, think of crossing a Deepsea bracelet with a IWC Big Inge bracelet, the finely molded black calf leather and corduroy strap is amazing, I have it on now and you just have to see it, turn this sporty beast into a classy casual piece, pics to come soon. Then there is the Nato strap you see in the pics, which must be the world's finest nato strap by far! the material it is made of feels like a cross between some sort of durable cloth and silk, just wonderfully smooth, comfortable, yet feels very sturdy. The black and titanium grey design fits the watch to a T. Finally they have an articulated rubber strap that looks absolutely mesmerizing. Gotta get that one!





The movement, as can be expected from Jaeger, is superb. Winds like a knife through butter, Alarm sound fantastic, and is very accurate so far. The caseback also, is a very involved and intricate thing!

My biggest problem with the watch when it was announced was that it had the JLC logo etched into the saphire crystal, very annoying to me! I always felt that I need to clean that off my old Omega, and couldn't imagine how it must be on the JLC. I ordered the watch anyway and happy day, Jaeger printed the logo on the dial in their latest series!!!!

Some fans preferred the older style, as that meant the logo did not move with the alarm, but that is not a concenr for me as I am not that anal, I also partake in the hineous crime of actually using the rotating bezel to time events. I know, I should be ashamed

Additionally, I get up at 6, so the logo wouldn't be off axis anyway, double happy day!!!



the bezel is smooth yet precise, with a very "technical" sound. the coin edge is very nice, and the finish on the side shows allot of attention here!

I am not crazy about the lug size however, I hate these in between sizes! Why 23mm? why?? Not that big an issue though as they make up for it by producing the best OEM options ever made.

My one real gripe however, is why the hell did Jaeger not include their amazing quick strap change system liek on the Extreme W-Alarm??? they have one of the best engineered, easy to use, secure, and user friendly systems and they leave it out of a near perfect watch like this? ARGGH!

The packaging though is very nice indeed, allot of effort here! Also they included a cute tiny little strap tool. All in all a fantastic watch and since it is an LE of only 1500, i suggest you get one ASAP, I got mine from timeofswitzerland.com and highely recommend you do too, I paid 8K USD, what a deal! Even though i had to let both a Breitling and an Omega, I am very pleased indeed!

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Certified watch nut.

Oh and sorry about the quick and dirty lawn pics, proper studio lighted one when I get a chance of course.

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Certified watch nut.

Very nice review and beautiful piece Altair. I'm very curious about the bezel. Is it titanium coated with PVD? Looks great though, and the dial is very striking. Great pickup, and im dying to see pics of the Patek too

Congratulations again Altair. Another stunning watch for the collection; never gets old. Great review and pics and great price. 2 questions, please remind me what size it is (I think 44mm) and does it wear big or small for the size?

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

It is 44mm,and wear a bit bigger than that I would say. You can compare my other wristshots if you want a visual feel for the size.

the Blancpain FF is a larger 45mm yet wears smaller for instance.

Speaking of which, I need to post side by side pics of those two, although both are simple looking divers they have completely different characters. One is a very shiny piece of jewlery the other is a matte instrument, I love the contrast!

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Certified watch nut.

Thanks. The bezel seems like PVD infused Titanium, it not black nor ti, odd but very beutifull, not certine here but I think they used some sort of process not unlike the one panerai used on their 339.

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Certified watch nut.

The third photo whooooo, great detail.



That list of grail watches is getting shorter by the day!

Ian.

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Navitimer World, Callistino.
Omega Speedmaster Moon, Hamilton 992B, Steinhart BS LEII #2, B&R 01-92 Heritage

Wow, waking up at 6pm must be nice! j/k

Thats an amazing piece that you picked up, and im now officially jealous. I let some of your others slide by, but JLC just tugs on my heart strings a little bit more than anything else.
Congrats and enjoy.

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-RJ

That is a thing of beauty. As always, thanks for sharing.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Gorgeous watch Altair, congrats.

But that strap................

Not a fan of Nato straps eh Roff?

I have to say I find the look wonderfully casual and different!

I do have a feeling that you will like the other strap I have one, pics later today!


@ RJ: To clarify, the watch alarm only works once per wind, I had it wake me up this AM and I not wind it again, so it will not sound at 6PM, if I want the alarm to work again next AM I will have to wind it again tonight. The Alarm mechanism and date have a separate crown and power reserve, as well as a dedicated crown. A very nice layout!


Why the hell did I not buy Jaegers before? The more I see the more I am convinced they are "The" brand to own thee days.

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Certified watch nut.

In the voice of Paris Hilton, "That's HOT!" Super good looking timepiece, and great photos as usual.

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UN Maxi Marine Ti
B01, BEB
SOH
Aerospace Ti
Chrono SO
Omega 300 Master Co-Axial Chro
Omega PO Chrono.
AP ROO Diver
Titan Black Rolex DSOD Honeycomb Dial

Most definently like the watch but I'm with Roff on the strap!

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

Yet another truly awesome piece Altair! Fantastic stuff.

Oh and while I actually like Natos on some watches....... this isn't one of them I'm afraid! It's just somehow too "low rent" for such an amazing watch.

Great pictures as always as well.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks for the review A. Very cool pictures as usual - even if just a quick review!

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