The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am new to the site and I joined because of the shareing of good info.
I am looking to buy my first new Breitling, so I am looking for some good ideas and info....
My choice is between the Blackbird or the Avenger Skyland.
Both would be with black dial and S.S. bracelet...
Is the new 44 movement on the Blackbird better then the 13 movement on the Avenger.
Is it worth the price difference...
Which do you guys feel will hold its value better????
When you make a choice please tell me why, even if it is just the look.
Need help here, cause I love them both.....
So feel free to weigh in on the two.....

In actual fact the calibre 44 movement has been around for a while now (e.g. the Crosswind Special from a number of years ago, and the Bentley 6.75). It's not so much that the 44 is better than the calibre 13, it's just different. The large twin window date and the symetrical look of the dial is what gives the 44 it's appeal. The 13 by contrast is the real workhorse of the range being based on the Valjoux 7750 movement, which is probably the most widely used "quality" chronograph movement in the world.

The difference in price is down to two things primarily - the different movement and the unique pilot bracelet on the Blackbird. Basically the more parts there are in a bracelet the more expensive they tend to be (with the exception of the Speed bracelet of course!). The pilot has 5 rows, while the Pro II on the AS has 3. Is it worth the price difference? Well, that's completely and utterly subjective, and depends entirely if YOU think it is or not. All our watches are only worth what we're willing to pay.

Holding value is also a difficult subject. Again (and without being too unhelpful here!) value is subjective as well! Personally I never buy a watch thinking about what it might be worth in a few years. All Breiltings will lose a proportion of their value, and as neither the Blackbird or the AS are Limited Editions, both will probably lose a comparable amount percentage-wise. The Blackbird is possibly seen as a bit more desirable (based in no small part on the fact that it's more expensive), but there probably isn't too much in it.

My personal opinion? I haven't got one as I don't really want either! But if I had to choose I'd say Blackbird as it is a little different because of the movement, and as it's more expensive it is probably more rare on the street. But both are great watches......

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Driver8 has given you a sound answer, I have an AS, I don't have a BB (yet), but I'd say - try them both and see which one speaks to you.

And let's be honest, the question is really "Which one do I buy first"

That said, I love the blackbird

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I agree with Roffensian - the one who speaks to you loudest is the one.

Personally I'd go for a Blackbird, I really like the big date and also that it's a little bit more unusual than the AS. Sadly, I don't have a Blackbird of my own yet, but it will be there in the future.

Speaking of bracelets and their parts - on my IWC Da Vinci (haven't found a buyer yet) there's an incredible 11 row bracelet, all 11 pieces fully independent.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Both similar--get the one you like more.

I vote for the blackbird. beautiful...

I like the Blackbird because of the bracelet. If you go with the Blackbird, remember that the new models are polished when last year's models are brushed.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

between the two I would go with the blackbird.

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Breitling for Bentley Motors
Breitling Navitimer World
Breitling Super Avenger Black Steel LE 3000
Breitling for Bentley GMT Midnight Carbon Black Steel LE 1000
Hublot Big Bang Aero Bang Steel
"You gotta pay to play..."

Funny, because I have a Blackbird and my next Breitling will definitely be the Avenger Skyland. I would plan to buy both!

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Breitling Blackbird, Breitling Superocean Heritage 38

To me, I found out that a lot depends upon the size.
I would definitely go with the Blackbird. By the way, you have a choice of either all polished or brushed this year. I saw the polished, and it looks outstanding. But so does the brused, I think that would be my choice.
This February, I looked at the Blackbird and tried it on. It is very comfortable, unfortunately I could not affort it at the time. I settled on a Steelfish, with which I am very impressed. It is around the same dimensions as Blackbird, and very comfortable. Why I say all this (sorry to ramble on), is that I purchased an Avenger Skyland about a month later. My AD had a Blacksteel, and I couldn't resist. I wore it almost exclusively for a few months, then I started wearing the Steelfish. The Steelfish has turned out to be much more comfortable for me, so much that I am getting ready to sell the Skyland. I love the looks of the Skyland, but the weight and size just ended up being uncomfortable. Also, I find it really gets in the way, because it is so thick, and at work I am knocking it constantly. Not so with the Steelfish, which like I said would be about the same dimensions as the Blackbird.
I imagine some day, I will end up with a Blackbird. I love that watch. However, I also love the Steelfish, and would recommend it to anyone.
Hope this helps making your decision.
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

Having now two wonderful Lings (Chrono Superocean and Chrono Cockpit, both on bracelet) with the third Ling (Aviastar) already paid and on the way home (hopefully on Tuesday) I think that the main issue is the movement: the ETA-Valjoux 7750 being a fully integrated chrono movement while the motor of the Blackbird is a piggy-backed ETA (so-called "Sandwich"). These movements are not as easy to service as the 7750 and are mainly the result of the huge demand of chronographs which cannot be satisfied with integrated chronos only. Not to mention the weekday feature possibility on the Valjoux 7750 (which is my constant wish, as some of you might already know) - now available unfortunately and interestingly only on the cheapest and on the most expensive models of the 7750-based Lings (CSO and Bentley GT).
BB has the inverse dial of the minute counter at 9 and the cont' secs at 3, which I cannot get used to either.
I myself would love the general design and dial of the BB but would never go for a movement like that even with the big date. What's more unfortunately Breitling shifted the turning bezel of the pre-2004 BB for the windrose one of the current production line and this is completely useless for me while I use the count-up lunette of my watches frequently and find it very useful. BTW there is a classic-dial big-date chrono movement on the market based on the Valjoux 7750 (and produced by LaJoux-Perret).
I
After all I find the BB price disproportionally high against the Skyland or the other mentioned watches, even if I also feel the difference of the Pilot and ProII. bracelet quality.
If someone wants a Ling driven by the Valjoux 7750, having the 0/60 count-up lunette and at least 100 m WR, can choose several from models of the current collections, after size, personal taste, additional features and price: Chonomat EVO, Chrono Cockpit, SOHC, CSO, Skyland and SA.

My two cents only... just to have a voice from the other side too... and of course I'd immediately go for the BB with a day-date 7750 and 0/60 count-up lunette, polished or brushed case and bracelet... or would also love a smaller (say 39-40 mm) SOHC with day-date feature...
Best regards: Robertus

they are both beautiful, I personally prefer the blackbird

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1. Breitling Super Avenger (08 Blue Dial)
2. Coming soon from swiss I hope

Thanks to all for the info and vote!!!!!!!
So far it looks like the Blackbird has the general vote....
However, RobertUS61 posted about the ease of service of the 7750 movement...
This really cought my eye...
I like that idea, since I plan on keeping this watch for a long time.
Also the idea of the CSO, I tried one on, Sat. night...
I was not able to compare to the ASL side by side, but I will later at another AD....
Thank You All so far, as the Quest goes on with the addition now, of the Chrono SuperOcean....
First purchase of Ling important to me.....

Here's another opinion intended to confuse you even more.
This past July, I bought my Skyland (Pro II) and a close friend
bought his Blackbird (satin finish). Whenever he visited, he wore
his 'Bird and I wore my Skyland (back when it still fit my
wrist ) and we would play with each other's watch, oohing
and aahing about how beautiful it was.

We decided we each made the right decision. My friend has a much
smaller wrist, so his Bird fits perfectly. On my 9.8-inch wrist (gotten
fatter!) my Skyland felt right at home (on the Pro II). Plus he had a
lot more money to spend

Which is best for you? Hell, I don't know. They're both great watches.
Whichever talks to you loudest, and whichever your wallet is in
agreement with.

Whichever you buy -- enjoy it!

Steve