The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hi all, this is my first post so go easy on me. I'm currently looking at treating myself to my first high-end watch (the first of many I hope), and I'm stuck in a difficult position of which one to go for due to the vast variety that is now currently available.

I have come to the conclusion that I would like to go down the Breitling route and spent many an hour searching the net and doing some background reading. Now for the difficult part I have narrowed down my search to the Avenger and Chronomat and was wondering if people would mind posting pictures of their own combinations as well as their personal opinion on each model. I know both have there positives and negatives as well as significant price differences, and the decision ultimately comes down to my own personal opinion but it never hurts to get the view of others. Plus I'm sure everyone on here given the opportunity likes to dig out a picture

Welcome to the Source. Enjoy your time here.

I would post a pic, if I owned either. So, my opinion comes from the point of view of a non owner.

Not much difference. Chronomat has a heritage name but Avenger might be a better functioning watch. I will leave it to others with authority, but to me going on, model by model, the Avenger gets my vote.

Jim

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Jim

"You have Control".

I say Chronomat because you get screw down pushers. I'd be terrified to get the Avenger/SA wet and accidentally engage one as I do a lot of water sports. You also get the Pilot bracelet with the Chronomat, which IMO is among the finest of bracelets made by anyone. With that said, the Pro 2 on the Avenger is also fantastic. My biggest issue with the Avenger though is that it doesn't have an actual Breitling gold logo...it's just painted on the dial. That was why I never seriously considered one as IMO the Breitling medallion is a key part of the brand (as is the Pilot bracelet IMO). I originally got a Superocean Steelfish which I loved, but I realized I loved one of their models even more. I now own the Blackbird "Big Date" (which is a Chronomat but is different than the Chronomat Blackbird [a little confusing[). IMO the Blackbird is the epitome of Breitling. It's a little lower profile than most other models but I personally like that. I have about 10 different rubber and leather straps, most of which are custom. Because it is flat black and brushed stainless, it goes well with virtually any strap. My 2 cents

I guess I need a bit of clarification.

Are you buying new or pre-owned.

Assuming new:

You are looking at two very different classes and styles of watches.

The current Chronomat has an in-house movement and a retail price tag near $9K. It also represents a recent deviation of style which many here are not that thrilled with but is purely a personal deal. I've owned the predecessors - the older Chronomat and the larger one it evolved to - the Chronomat Evolution, which gave way to the current version. The Pilot bracelet is a great bracelet. My experience, though, has been due to the additional 2 rows of links and the longer amount you remove per "link removal, some Breitlings on the pilot bracelet simply will not fit my wrist (it gets more so with the 7 row Navitimer bracelet). so my advise is to try one one, have it sized to a comfortable fit. If that fit leaves you on either the shortest or longest clasp adjustment, you may end up with no micro-adjustability for heat and activities. The older Chronomat I have on at the moment is one the shortest clasp adjustment and is a bit loose, barely loose. If I remove just one link, I will be on the longest set of clasp holes and a bit too tight. The older Chronomat Longitude I have, though, doesn't have that problem on my wrist.



The Avenger is a more traditional look with rider tabs on the bezel. The 3 link Pro II bracelet has always worked better on my wrist for dialing in the fit. The Avenger on the polished Pro II is quite "blingier" - bigger link rows with little space in between, leads to a much more bling look. I like the Avenger very much but it is a bit large on my girlish wrist - I've owned two - I'm stubborn. It also carries a retail price tag of about $5500, so about $4500 less than the Chronomat.


Bottom line, this is a substantial investment either way you go. And you are a virgin to boot! My advice? Get Thee to an authorized dealer and try them out, compare them and have them sized. You aren't committed to buying at that point. And this website has two good ADs who are represented here who can give you a great price once you decide.

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SHARKMAN

I own 4 super avengers here they are

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5 Super Avengers
1 Super Avenger 2
1 Super Avenger limited edition
1 Super avenger night mission
1 Limited edition chronomat Boston Celtics
Navitimer GMT
Transocean Chronograph Unitime
2 Omega planet ocean chronographs
1 Tag heuer Monaco

I wear one everyday, along with navitimer world. I love the size of the avenger and would buy a 5th if they came out with a different color dial. SORRY JUST READ YOUR POST AGAIN YOU WANT AN AVENGER NOT SUPER AVENGER, I FORGOT THEY NOW MAKE AN AVENGER.

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5 Super Avengers
1 Super Avenger 2
1 Super Avenger limited edition
1 Super avenger night mission
1 Limited edition chronomat Boston Celtics
Navitimer GMT
Transocean Chronograph Unitime
2 Omega planet ocean chronographs
1 Tag heuer Monaco

The Chronomat is a more flexible watch in my opinion and the Avenger is more of a sport/tool watch.
It is a photo of the Skyland Avenger not a Super but the look is the same.
Both great watches just a different look and appeal in my opinion.
Frank.

I am assuming you mean an older chronomat or avenger soI will base my comments on that assumption. IMO the Chronomat is much more versatile and can be worn under dress cuffs much easier than an Avenger, but the Avenger does have a ruggedness not found in the Chronomat. i guess it would then depend on your lifestyle as to what will be a better fit

Thanks for all your input.

I intend to head down the new route and realise that the biggest difference between the two models is the price. This isn't much of a problem as I believe both models are worth the money that they have been priced at, it's just a matter of which one model is more suited to myself. I'm just finding it difficult deciding on which one as they are both great pieces, Breitling don't make it easy. Especially as it will be my first high-end watch and both have a completely different appeal and target audience.

Can anybody suggest a decent AD near Oxford, UK?

These are the forum sponsors from UK... http://www.andrewmichaels.co.uk/ contact member ricardo, http://www.bankslyon.co.uk/ contact member bankslyon.

Meanwhile if you want to look and play, you can find your nearest AD on the Breitling web site.

http://www.breitling.com/en/retailers/index.php

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Given that you're in Oxford, I'm going against my better judgement by even communicating with you (I live in Cambridge) . Joking aside, use the Breitling website to find your nearest dealer to try on the pieces, but definitely make the trip to Andrew Michaels to purchase. Ricardo, who works there, is an avid member of the site and I'm sure you'll get better service from him than from anyone else around.

In the meantime, here's a pic of my Chronomat 44. The in-house movement is important to me, so this decision between the Avenger and Chronomat is an easy one for me to personally make. You may also want to consider the Chronomat 44 GMT. I wish it was on the market when I bought mine. However, it's even more expensive than the Chronomat 44 . . .

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

Thanks for all your thoughts.

Bozman52 I hate to say it simply because your from Cambridge (only joking) but that is what I believe to be a stunning example of the Chronomat and exactly the same that I specced up on the Breitling site. Would you say the GMT model is worth the extra cost?

Looks like I will be paying my nearest AD a visit at the weekend to get a real feel for both models, but for now I think Bozman52 you might have just influenced my decision!!!

Thanks for the kind words about my watch. The Avenger is a nice piece as well, so just try them both on and see which one "speaks" to you. The Sierra Silver dial looks much different (and better) in person than on the website. It's a beautiful color and I don't see it often. I think black is more popular.

The Chronomat 44 is worth the extra money to me, but that doesn't mean it will be to you. The GMT dial is a little busier and has too many different fonts IMO, but I would find the functionality useful, as my family is back in the US. Also, my wife travels a lot for work, so I could more easily keep up with her timezones. However, I think MSRP is over $10k . . . I can't even imagine what it sells for in the UK. It's a lot of money, but the non-GMT isn't exactly cheap either.

Someone mentioned it already, but the bracelets of the Chronomat and Avenger are different. I absolutely love the way the Chronomat fits on my wrist. The bracelet is amazing.

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

Since you havent seen them in person, just wait it out. Both are great watches, and I dont believe either should be chosen because of technical merits.

Once you see both in person, I have a feeling youll know which one you want. It always works that way.

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-RJ