The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I posted a thread a little while back about my upcoming 50th Birthday and the fact that my wife is buying me a Breitling.

I have narrowed the selection down to an Avenger II GMT and a baton dial Seawolf (older style on Pro II)

My lovely wife has made it very clear that I can never sell this watch, and I wouldn't want to.

My dilema is this. My heart says Seawolf and my head says Avenger GMT. If I go for the Seawolf, as I get older will it start to look
stupid? I have 7" wrists, so can just about carry it off now but I am wondering for how long.

The GMT is only 43mm and 13mm deep compared to the 45mm x 18mm deep SW

The main reason I like the SW is the real simplicity of the dial, the brushed bracelet, and for now, the heft of it.

What would the wise heads here suggest.

Are there any 'older' Seawolf owners out there?

Thanks,
Nick

(PS. Currently have a B1 which is another reason why it would be nice to get brushed over polished)

I sold my SW (original steel version) and regret at least weekly if not more. I love the new GMT Avenger. Tough call. I get the one that most speaks to you today and worry about the future in the future. There is always room for both down the road.

I am almost 50 and would choose the SW.
But t.b.h. I would need to see them both on my wrist (or pics from someone with the same wristsize), to make a defintive choice.

Difficult one. Given these watches are purely luxury items I'd always usually advocate heart over head any day of the week, as giving you pleasure in terms of wearing and owning them is what it's all about. If you eventually fall out of love with a watch you can always NORMALLY flip it for something else.......

HOWEVER, you say this is going to be a sentimental piece that won't ever be sold, so while heart is still very important I think there needs to be an element of "future-proofing" in your thoughts as well. The best advice would be to try both on at an AD. Assuming you often wear shirts with long sleeves, wear one when you go to try them both on as this will allow you to see how practical the 18mm height of the SW will be. Take your time with the watches and look at them from all angles on the wrist. Chances are you'll know if the SW is practical for you in a fairly short space of time.

Good luck!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Driver has it right, though I would emphasize one thing.

You have already expressed concern about the thickness of the SW. If you wear long sleeves most work days, and want to wear the watch more than on weekends or aren't cool with the watch outside the sleeve at all times, I think the SW could be a problem. I have sold a few watches which were beautiful to wear but you could see the imprint of the watch pressing prominently under the sleeve, when I didn't want it out there with my sleeve pushed up. Some guys here wear big pieces outside the sleeve all the time and are totally comfortable with it. If that's you, no problem. The B-1 can probably go under a sleeve, too. By all means, though, spend the time with them.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

I tried on both of these last weekend and the GMT fit my smaller wrists perfectly and looked amazing. The seawolf is beautiful but it is also a beast of a watch. The difference in thickness between the two is substantial. Make sure you try both of these on in person. If you wear long sleeves a lot the GMT might be a better fit. Due to the size, I think the seawolf works well as a watch in a rotation and not necessarily as an every day watch.

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As an milestone' watch I think that the head has to factor in, it's not just a case of not selling it, you want to be able to wear it. How about offering both choices to your wife and getting her input.

Thank you all very much for your thoughts.

In my everyday work life I never have to wear a long sleeve shirt/suit.

All very casual at my place of work, so that's not an issue for the SW.

This is an old pic of when I had an SA, - so the Seawolf shouldn't look silly......



......but here is one with the newer style Seawolf. Do you think it looks too big?



Nick

Personally I think it looks great. But just to echo everyone else, try both on to make sure as it's going to be in the mix for the long haul.

Judging from the tags on the watch the OP is at his AD trying it on! Go with the SW, I got one several weeks ago and love it. I, like the OP have 7.25" wrists and don't find the SW too large. I also rarely wear long sleeves for work so the size is not an issue there... And finally I also just turned 50 and I wear the SW almost daily though I do own a Navitimer and a number of other watches. You won't go wrong which ever watch you choose!

That Seawolf looks awesome. Having same dilemma re GMT but think the SW stands out (literally) from a more normal look.


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Thanks for the replies.

I went to the AD today and tried both on. The GMT is stunning, but just a little on the thin side for me.

So you'd think the SW was a certainty now and it looked fine size wise. The only thing stopping me is the 'down the line'
issue of when I'm older......and the fact that there is now another contender...the Superocean 44.

After discounting the GMT I asked to look at an SO44 and I must say it felt a little more 'natural' on the wrist and looks great too.

I am in turmoil (albeit a nice sort of turmoil)

Nick

I'm 53 and just picked this up last month…Love it.

I would choose the SW over the 44, but that's my HO.