Got The Breitling Bug

[slorollin]

I want a GMT and have been looking at The Super Ocean, Avenger ll and the Colt. I don't know much about the Colt. Is this sort of a "junior" Breitling? At first I had misgivings about the Super Ocean too, just because Breitling is so closely tied to aviation. Then after reading the history I realize it's a serious offering. So, I guess right now the Avenger ll and the Super Ocean are neck and neck, but I want to learn more about the Colt. I'd like for it to be 43mm or less because I don't care for the bigger watches on me. They look good on others. I can't get used to them on my own arm is all.
What do you more experienced "Breit guys and gals" think?

[KeepTicking]

If you want a GMT, buy a Rolex, if you want a Breitling, buy the quintessential Breitling, the Navitimer.

[slorollin]

Originally Posted by KeepTicking

If you want a GMT, buy a Rolex, if you want a Breitling, buy the quintessential Breitling, the Navitimer.

Already have a 16710 and an Omega 50th Anniversary gmt. Now I want a Breitling. Navitimers are very cool, but not for me. Too big and too busy, hard to read. Plus, I have an aversion to complications I'll never use. You ever use the slide rule? The tachymeter? That's just me, though. Others obviously like the idea that they could if need be, but I bet most can't.

[Spartacus]

I own a super avenger II - love the size and ruggedness. It's been exposed, submerged, saltwater, etc. still looks great!

[madmax21]

I've owned Breitling watches, and I must say that I would never buy one again. As a collector that flips watches from time to time. I find they just don't hold their value they're hard to sell in the resale market and just not worth the hassle. If I were to buy another GMT it would definitely be a Rolex.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by slorollin

I want a GMT and have been looking at The Super Ocean, Avenger ll and the Colt. I don't know much about the Colt. Is this sort of a "junior" Breitling? At first I had misgivings about the Super Ocean too, just because Breitling is so closely tied to aviation. Then after reading the history I realize it's a serious offering. So, I guess right now the Avenger ll and the Super Ocean are neck and neck, but I want to learn more about the Colt. I'd like for it to be 43mm or less because I don't care for the bigger watches on me. They look good on others. I can't get used to them on my own arm is all.
What do you more experienced "Breit guys and gals" think?

So the Super Ocean and Avenger II are great watches. Breitling makes great dive watches including the M2000 and Avenger Seawolf. Super Oceans in the past differentiated themselves from entry level colt with the curved sapphire crystal. The Colt is a very nice entry level watch from breitling that can be had at a discount. It is automatic (or quartz) with chronometer grade ETA movement's and very water resistant, using double AR sapphire crystals. The Super Ocean is a slightly higher finish than the Colt but will be less rugged imo. The Avenger II is a higher level of finish over the Super Ocean imo, and then you get the Chronomat/Navitimer finish and then you get into the Breitling for Bentley finishing which is capped by, imo, the Bentley Mulliner Tourbillon which retails is about 173k.

I have a GMT avenger and I quite like it but I do prefer the 16710 jumping hour hand but the GMT Avenger II has a matte dial, the 0-24 inner chapter ring for a true 3 zone read out (the 24 hour bezel can be set to one time, and you still have a 24 hour index on the dial for a second 24 hour timezone). The lume is bright and there is a lume pearl on the bezel which is a nice change from the 16710. GMT Avenger II is a great watch especially with the lightweight reasonable size and titanium caseback.


The Colt has a rich military history, these were delivered to forces. So the bezel and the watch is ruggedized over style. It is a very rugged watch The Colt I got in College has taken an absolute beating and never has had issues. I got that colt for $900 from a Caribbean AD, it would be worth maybe $500-900 I believe today.

Colt's represent a strong value proposition if bought at a steep discount at an AD or on the second hand market. The Colt I would get would be the Colt II that is automatic, approximately 41 mm, with an inner chapter ring 0-100 index and a beautiful dial with subtle concentric engravings between the raised lumed hour markers.

Check out a review of it here: http://www.breitlingsource.com/reviews_colt_auto2.shtml



The navitimer, crosswind, chronomat, blackbirds are all classics, especially the classic ones. There are some gems like the hercules and b2 which people also love imo.

Hope this helped! Happy Breitling shopping!

[slorollin]

Finally! An actual reply to my questions, thanks. Lots of good insights and info. In the meantime, my search has caused me to become enraptured by the Super Ocean GMT. The only drawback to me is the polished bracelet. It's a little flashy for my tastes. Would prefer it on the mesh and I think it would look good on a NATO too. I've also read that the lugs widths are unique so, finding replacements can be hard. I think there is one out there with my name on it, though.

[Spartacus]

I've done just about everything with my SA II, I enjoy the masculine side of the watches, AR coating and comfort.

[ajas]

I would also recommend to look at chronomat gmt with in house movement. Got one since ladt year and honestly is getting more wrist time than my subc.
3 time zones, chrono, water resistant, date.
If you can get one with decent discount it is no brainer.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[rfatm3f]

Any Breitling with their in house movement will be a star.

With that being said, I absolutely love my superocean heritage 46 (blue). I wear it more often than anything else in the rotation.

The Chronomat, Transocean Chronograph, and Superocean Heritage are my personal favorites.

[patrickjb]

Originally Posted by slorollin

I want a GMT and have been looking at The Super Ocean, Avenger ll and the Colt. I don't know much about the Colt. Is this sort of a "junior" Breitling? At first I had misgivings about the Super Ocean too, just because Breitling is so closely tied to aviation. Then after reading the history I realize it's a serious offering. So, I guess right now the Avenger ll and the Super Ocean are neck and neck, but I want to learn more about the Colt. I'd like for it to be 43mm or less because I don't care for the bigger watches on me. They look good on others. I can't get used to them on my own arm is all.
What do you more experienced "Breit guys and gals" think?

Navitimer World!

[slorollin]

already bought it.....SuperOcean GMT

[rfatm3f]

Congrats

[Emreozcan]

I have an Avenger II GMT. As @breitlings suggested above, it has spectacular finishing and I definitely love my watch (wearing it on rotation with my Rolex BLNR). On the other hand it has gone to service 3 times since 11 months - movement has some trouble (it was gaining 1 min/day when it was brand new and after they solved that issue it had "high amplitude" trouble 2 times. Now Turkish AD sent it to Switzerland). I'm not saying all of them have troubled movement but mine did it and we'll see if Breitling will stand behind its watch.

As for your indecision between superocean and Avenger II, I would go with Avenger II (as I actually did) because the plastic coating on superocean bezel doesn't give a "high quality" watch feeling.

Lastly, you can choose either polished or brushed bracelet on both watches (so you don't have to eliminate any watch just because of its polished bracelet) and also I advise you to buy 1 rubber band as you can change between.

[Jcgul]

Congrats! I bought my father an Avenger Chrono for his birthday and I must say, it is a beautifully finished watch. the polished steel in combination with the bezel is pretty striking. He loves it, and I envy it every time its on his wrist. I feel that the straps are a bit cheap feeling though, and we upgraded him to a custom ostrich strap that he picked out all of the stitching, pattern, etc. on.

[ajas]

Congratulations

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[WJGESQ]

Sounds like good and reliable advice.

[josephashburnnn]

Originally Posted by slorollin

already bought it.....SuperOcean GMT

That is one heck of a nice watch!

[slorollin]

Originally Posted by josephashburnnn

That is one heck of a nice watch!

Thanks. It has been getting a lot of wrist time.

[photo2u]

Originally Posted by KeepTicking

If you want a GMT, buy a Rolex, if you want a Breitling, buy the quintessential Breitling, the Navitimer.

I will agree with the above statement! I only own one watch out of this fine company. My is the Montbrillant Datora. Love the watch.