The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey Folks,

New member so want to say Hi to everyone!

Im looking to get my first "expensive" watch. After narrowing down the list of brands, ive decided on a Breitling which in turn has pointed me to this forum.
I've pretty much decided i want to buy the watch as a wedding present to myself. I'm really keen on the Avenger 2 GMT as i love its looks and is in the right area of my budget.

Im not a fan of a busy face/dial so the GMT version suits me very well. However, after looking at the Seawolf version, i can't decide which one to go for? I've done some basic research - the Seawolf is a few mm thicker and has a different movement but on the face of it, look outwardly similar. Could anyone give me a more deeper insight into the differences between the 2?

A third choice is the Colt 44 - again - it looks similar to the Avenger models but am aware the movement is battery powered (if thats the right phrase?). Would i be right in saying the Colt range is the cheaper end of the Breitling stable? If this is the case and my budget allows, would i be better to choose one of the Avenger watches over the Colt 44?

Sorry for all the questions from this new member!!

Thanks

Rich

Welcome to BreitlingSource.

Mechanical over Quartz (battery) is purely personal choice - Breitling uses SuperQuartz which is accurate to +/- 15 seconds per year which a mechanical watch will never get close to - Breitlings are certified to -4 / +6 seconds per day. That said, mechanical watches are seen by many to be more 'alive' - mini mechanical marvels if you will.

Historically Colts have been at the value end of the Breilting range, although they have also been very much admired models. The 2011 redesign, including the Colt 44 were seen as a bit of a love / hate design, but if you like it then that's all that matters. The Avenger range is also at the more value end, and again Seawolf vs. GMT is going to come down to personal choice. The Seawolf has much greater water resistance, but the GMT's 300m rating will be plenty for everyday use, and you get the GMT function if that is important to you. Both watches use modified ETA movements (and the Colt is a modified ETA quartz) so there is no watch that is really 'better'. Best advice is to try them on and see which one 'speaks' to you.

All good advice from Roff, and nothing more to add on a generic level.

However, personally (and this is just my personal opinion) I would recommend going for a mechanical watch if you are venturing into the "expensive" watch space for the first time. When you're new to the watch world, it's very easy to assume they're all essentially the same (quartz and mechanical), but as you get more into the whole thing you'll more than likely come to appreciate the quite dramatic differences.

The reason I say this is because I made that particular mistake myself many years ago - dropping a wedge on a quartz model - and I must admit I did utter the immortal words of, "I guess there's not much difference between this quartz and that automatic is there?" to the AD while I was busy paying for my quartz watch. To which he replied, "Errrrr, well, errrm... yes there is quite a difference actually", before hastily adding, "But your new watch is great too"!!

That said, a lot depends what you want in a watch - if you want almost atomic timekeeping, then buy a Breitling quartz as no mechanical watch can very hope to be as accurate, but if you can cope living your life without nano-second accuracy, then you are likely to find a mechanical watch the more interesting thing to own. For me it's all about the fact that a mechanical watch has no circuits, no computers, no batteries, and that it manages to keep over 99.9% accurate time using just cogs, wheels and springs. As Roff said, it just feels more alive to me somehow.

Of course there are others who wouldn't dream of living with the relative inaccuracy of a mechanical watch, so for them quartz is the only way to go. It's horses for courses at the end of the day ; no-one is right and no-one is wrong. (Except for the fact that I'm right of course! )

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks for the replies so far guys - plenty of useful information!

I just assumed all Bretilings were old school mechanical - it was one of the main attractions of the brand. I understand why they make quartz watches - there is a market for them of course. For me, the mechanical movement is what makes Breitling special - all that top quality craftmanship contained in a watch that oozes pure class - of course all you guys already know this!

As Roffesnian mentioned, im obviously best heading into an AD and trying on the watches and see which one gives me that warm fuzzy feeling!

One of the reasons im looking to the Avenger II GMT/Seawolf is that the dial clutter free and perhaps a little OCD showing but i prefer the Breitling logo to be at the top centre rather than at the 3 o'clock position.

Im finding myself drooling over the various photo's online all day! I guess im going to have to bite the bullet and just get one!

Rich

Definitely check out the Seawolf at an AD, it is a substantially thicker (18.4mm vs. 12.2mm) and heavier (145g vs. 93g) watch than the Avenger II GMT and will wear quite different.

Also, there is a new Colt automatic coming soon that will wear more similar to the Avenger II GMT I think. Specs. are 44mm case dia. , 11.2mm thickness, and 96g.

Good luck with your decision!

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Welcome to Breitling Source! I think the best part of purchasing a new piece is going in and trying on a few different pieces, and narrowing it down that way. The GMT is a very cool watch, one that I would love to add to my own collection. I've owned a couple Seawolf models, and they are very nice as well. You will know which one is for you once you try them on and see for yourself how they wear. Good luck with your decision, and definitely post pics when you make your choice!

I was asking myself the same questions just a few weeks ago. I'm not a fan of a busy face and I liked the logo location on the GMT better too. I ended up going with the GMT and am absolutely thrilled with it. And the dial needed to be blue

Which ever way you go I am sure you will be thrilled with your new Breitling and congrats on the wedding !!!!!!

Im quite in love with the Mariner Blue GMT - the Chrno Blue version is a different blue that isn't as nice IMO.

Bah, forget the wedding - the planning has been nothing but a source of stress! However said you should really have fun and enjoy the planning really needs throwing off a cliff!!
The idea of a Breitling as a present for myself is *I whisper this* way way more exciting! shhhhh

Rich

Just to keep you folks updated:

Im now a married man (as of 2 days ago), i have a week off work and we are going to Rome for our mini-moon (long weekend). To top this off, i should today (if all things line up for me) be picking up my Bretiling Avenger II GMT with the mariner Blue Dial.

This has been an amazing week so far and just the idea of possibly picking up my new watch is gotten me all excited!!

Thanks

Rich

Congratulations! I received my Breitling Aerospace Avantage as a wedding gift to myself too. I was very generous I felt

I also have an Avenger II Seawolf with cobra yellow dial, but am looking at the Avenger II GMT as a potential next purchase. Please let us know what strap option you go for, and if possible upload some pictures for us all.

Enjoy your trip to Rome too, as it is an amazing place.

Colin

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BREITLING AVENGER II SEAWOLF
BREITLING AEROSPACE AVANTAGE
BREITLING COLT AUTOMATIC
BREITLING WINGS
OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN
OMEGA SEAMASTER 300M CHRONOGRAPH
OMEGA SEAMASTER 300M
OMEGA DE VILLE
LONGINES HERITAGE RETROGRADE
LONGINES HYDROCONQUEST

Isn't marriage supposed to do that? Well, for a while at least!

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Jim

"You have Control".

Yes it is supposed to do that.
That's exactly why one should get married several times.
If anything else, you get several watches out of it

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Finaly picked up me Breitling!




What you guys think?

Rich

A beauty, that's what I think

I think it's a big watch that looks great. Enjoy it for a long time!

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sco
Breitling Chrono Superocean
Omega Aqua Terra 8500
Rolex Submariner Date Ceramic