Company name: Breitling

Website: http://www.breitling.com

Model: Seawolf Avenger

 

Breitling SA was founded in Saint-Imier, Bernese Jura by Léon Breitling in 1884.

This is a serious diving watch that is all about flexing it’s muscle. It’s 45.4mm wide and 18.4mm thick with a depth rating of 3,000m/10,000ft. IMHO it’s the total package when it comes to tool watches. Some people would debate to be a true “tool watch” it should contain some sort of toolish feature. I think just the depth rating alone on this watch makes it qualify as a “tool watch”.

It’s not a watch for everyone considering its size and weight. I personally love the size and weight of this watch. It has quite the presence when on the wrist. When I pay this much for a watch, I want it to feel its price when it is being worn. It weighs in at 160g without the bracelet and 210g with the pro2 bracelet. It sits very comfortably on the wrist, which I contribute to the curved lugs. I even sleep with this watch on and it’s extremely comfortable.

The dial features beautiful white military stenciled numerals. A common misconception about this watch is that the numerals are lumed. For the record they are not. The dial also features the Breitling winged applied logo that sits nicely on the dial with a 3 dimensional look. The logo ties in nicely with the triangle at the 12 position and with the rectangles at the 6 and 9 position. The dial also features “chronometre officiellement certifie” and beneath is the word automatic which is referencing the watches movement. The dial is well balanced. At the 12 position is a lumed triangle with a chrome border. A date window is at the 3 position and at 6 & 9 there are lumed rectangles. The dial is very legible and clean of unnecessary markings. The volcano black dial contrasts beautifully with the white numbers.

The bezel is a unilateral rotating of 120 clicks which is addicting to turn. There is absolutely no play in the bezel at all, it sits level to the case with no gaps. The bezel features the numbers 5-55. On the sides of the bezel are little screws which hold the bezel in place on the case.  The screws are one of my favorite features on the bezel. Another detail I like about the bezel is the cursive Breiting ‘B’.  It’s a really nice touch.

The bracelet is the Prodiver 2 brushed stainless steel. It’s a heavy stainless steel bracelet with a deployment style clasp that closes pretty tight. I haven’t had it release while it has been on my wrist. I’ve heard several complaints about the clasp on the Prodiver 2. I think it’s a good clasp that is functionally sound. The clasp is not anything special, but it serves it purpose well. If I had to complain about anything with the clasp is that the last clasp with the Breitling logo on it, feels light, almost cheap. The bracelet doesn’t pull my arm hair like other bracelets I’ve owned in the past have and it is solidly constructed.

The crown is one of my favorite crowns I’ve ever seen on a watch that I have owned. The Chronoswiss Timemaster is my all time favorite crown, but this has that beat by a mile. This crown reminds me of a grenade with the detail around it. It’s got a great military feel to it and adds to the whole “tool/tactical” feel to the watch. On the crown there is the Breitling “B”. It’s a screw down style crown which is a must on a dive watch. Whatever you do, don’t unscrew it while you are submerged under water. The crown is very sturdy and it doesn’t feel like it could snap off. I have owned some micro brand divers and the crown feels like you can snap it right off like a dry twig. The crown guards curve up to the crown, hugging the crown safely.

Movement: Breitling’s Cal 17, built off an ETA 2824-2. C.O.S.C. certified movement. I’ve had my watch for about a week now and it’s been running +\- 4 seconds a day. I’ve only taking the watch off for showers because I’ve been told that the steam can cause the case to swell and when it cools, it creates gaps in the seals which keep the movement dry. So it’s been running if every position my wrists goes through day and throughout the night.

The case is stainless steel and it makes the watch head feel like a tank. The case is polished on the sides and is also polished on the side of the lugs. The top of the lugs are brushed and the brushing is so uniformly well done. I love that about this watch that it contains both the brushed and the polished finishing. Which in turn makes the case extremely balanced. No scratches yet on the case or bracelet. But a watch with this caliber of ruggedness, scratches just add character. comparable to my collection of scars that I have acquired over the years. The helium release valve is at the 9 position on the side of the case. The Helium Escapement Valve is built flush into the case with no protusion at all. The HEV allows self regulation of the pressure within the watch, the helium releases the built up gas during decompression so that it does not break the crystal or the other parts of the watch.

The AR coated crystal is a true beauty. It is double coated and it applied on the outside of the crystal and the inside of the crystal. I’ve tested the AR in the water and it looks almost transparent, like the crystal isn’t even there. The crystal is also domed, which is a must for me on dive watches.

The lume is a debate for most when it comes to Breitling watches. Breitling isn’t known for its great lume. The lume on this watch works for me just fine. I’m not into the “glowing flashlight” lume that lights up the whole room at night. The lume in this watch meets my needs, therefore I am quite satisfied.

I was searching for a rugged watch that could handle a weekend outdoors adventure and my search has ended with this watch. It’s a massive watch that is solidly constructed and tested rigorously by Breitling.(check out the video to see)

                                                                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR0eTPn-_AI

I absolutely love everything about this watch. Is there anything that i would change about it? If I had to pick something, it would be awesome if it had a GMT function.

 

If you are looking for a watch that can survive the outdoors and what the elements can dish out, well look no further. The Breitling Avenger Seawolf is the watch for you! Thanks for reading!

Pros: solid quality construction, trusted, established company, legible dial, deep depth rating, keeps excellent time.

Cons: big, heavy case might not be for all wrist sizes, lume, latching clasp feels cheap.

 

Technical information from Breitling.

Model: Avenger Seawolf Steel
Production Years: 2008-Discontinued (the seawolf version 2 is out now)
Gender: Mens
Case Materials Available: Steel
Movement: Breitling 17
Power Reserve: 42 Hours
Water Resistance: 3000m
Bezel: Unidirectional
Crown: Screwdown
Crystal: Sapphire
Diameter: 45.4mm
Thickness: 18.4mm
Weight: 160g
Bracelet: Professional II
Lug Width: 22mm
Reference Numbers: a17330

video credit sticustom