My New Purchase w/ My 2 Favorite Watches & Dog Wrist Shots (LOTS OF PICS!!!!!!!!!!!)

[moby33]

Check it out...just purchased my first Breitling - the Avenger Skyland Blacksteel. Limited Edition (2000 units) w/ a carbon-nitride DLC (Diamond-Like Coating) treatment. I love big chrono's and have always wanted to try a Breitling, but never pulled the trigger. I fell in love with the Blacksteel last year when they came out so I'm glad I finally got one.

I think eventually I'll put on a black leather w/ white stitching band, but I must admit the rubber Pro-Diver strap is more comfortable than I thought it would be...plus it really keeps the watch under control. It is 17mm thick, but doesn't flop around on my wrist at all because of the rubber (and I'm not even wearing it very tight).

Some will probably disagree, but I think the Breitling Avenger series crown & chrono pushers are some of the coolest on the market - just love the 'waffle-like' etching! And I love the Skylands new use of stencil numerals on the dial. I've been meaning to get an all black watch for a while, and thrilled with this purchase so far. Looking forward to getting it in the ocean soon.

Sorry the pics are not the best...my camera is not very high end and unfortunately I think this is the best the micro feature will do. As you can see, my pup Bosworth didn't seem too thrilled w/ the purchase, but at least he was a good sport during the 'wrist shots'. Anybody out there have experience w/ the Skyland? Hope it lives up to my expectations. Enjoy the pics. Cheers.

[C. Davidson]

Thanks for sharing your watch pictures. I really liked the pictures with your dog at the end.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by C. Davidson

Thanks for sharing your watch pictures. I really liked the pictures with your dog at the end.

Thanks. He's a good sport...actually hates when anybody touches his paws, so I was pretty thrilled to get these pics...he was actually pretty mellow when the watches went on & believe it or not he seemed to like the Sub more...I guess he has good taste!

[chriseskew24]

Great watches... And love the bull dog....

[srl7741]

Great pictures and a lucky Dog.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by srl7741

Great pictures and a lucky Dog.

Lol. I think he would feel more lucky if I replaced these watches with some of his favorite treats...trust me, he would look a lot more awake in the pictures if that were the case. Cheers.

[topcat30093]

Great looking watch.
Especially good if you are in the forces and on an op.
I bet the night lume is excellent, how about a photo of it?

[moby33]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

I bet the night lume is excellent, how about a photo of it?

To be honest, the lume is my only complaint at this point in time. Breitling should have lumed the numerals IMO...instead they only lumed the extremely small hour markers (as seen on the left, the Sub is on the right). I use to think Rolex lume was weak compared to my Omega's...but as you can see Rolex blows Breitling out of the water in this department (at least w/ these two models).

But on a positive note (and more importantly for me at least), I've owned/worn the watch for almost 4 days now and as of this minute, it has only lost 2 seconds...so it appears to be extremely accurate so far. Cheers.

[vukotab]

Great watches and beautiful bulldog!
Breitling produces really fantastic watches and here in Serbia it`s the most beloved brand among our bussinesmen and tycoons, I suppose they like it`s strong presence...
BTW, if you open your Omega and your Breitling, you`ll find almost the same movement, idestructable Valjoux 7750!

[SLRdude]

VERY nice Avenger!
I used to have the predecessor and I regret selling it quite a bit.

[DSJ]

Although too big for me personally, it's a great looking watch and nicely compliments your SMP and Submariner Date.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by vukotab

BTW, if you open your Omega and your Breitling, you`ll find almost the same movement, idestructable Valjoux 7750!

Yeah...I think that was another reason why I finally decided to pull the trigger. While I've read (and talked to some people in person) that say, "The Valjoux 7750 is nothing to be impressed with...pretty average/run-of-the-mill..." I must admit my SMP has NEVER let me down. It doesn't miss a beat, been extremely accurate and taken a LOT of abuse on my wrist over many years. I've got to believe there's a reason it's such a work-horse as the base movement for so many different makes/models. Hopefully this Skyland will carry on that tradition. Cheers.

[moby33]

Any Breitling owners out there that have used their leather bands for a while? I'm thinking of buying a strap for this watch, but I don't want to baby the leather...was wondering how they hold up in wet conditions. I've read that the leather is treated and can go in the water without problems, but I wonder how true this is. I realize the band won't stay perfect forever, but I also don't want to purchase one and then have it start to discolor & begin to look extremely beat up after on a few weeks wearing the watch around water condition.

Any owners out there with leather band experience, be it Breitling or a quality aftermarket maker (I'm looking at Hirsch too...seem to be really good bands for a fraction of the price) I would appreciate any feedback or info on your experiences. Thanks.

[Terry Newton]

I've got the Valjoux 7751 in my RGM 160M and the movement was featured as a workhorse in a lot of quality watches this Summer in Watch Time. My RGM is quite accurate and the watch is beautiful.

I love your watch. I'm interested in hearing how that DLC holds up over time. It is supposed to be extremely hard so it will be interesting to see if it scratches at all and what it can take.

I think you've got a classy watch there that looks rugged as all get out and, will probably be passed down from you as it looks quite rugged.

Terry Newton

[moby33]

Originally Posted by Terry Newton

I've got the Valjoux 7751 in my RGM 160M and the movement was featured as a workhorse in a lot of quality watches this Summer in Watch Time. My RGM is quite accurate and the watch is beautiful.

I love your watch. I'm interested in hearing how that DLC holds up over time. It is supposed to be extremely hard so it will be interesting to see if it scratches at all and what it can take.

I think you've got a classy watch there that looks rugged as all get out and, will probably be passed down from you as it looks quite rugged.

Terry Newton

Thanks Terry, I too am interested to see how it holds up. I plan on treating it just like all my other watches and see in the long run what happens. I'm hoping it lives up to its billing as I know I won't be happy if the finish is easily abused.

[moby33]

P.S. I did slam the watch pretty hard this evening on a counter and looked down to see a pretty big white chip on the bezel...I was pretty upset at first. But then I realized it was the counter on the bezel & not the other way around...a quick wipe removed the chip & sure enough the bezel & black finish was perfectly intact. Sweet!!!

[jamesh]

Great looking watch - congratulations! With those "stencil" numerals it reminds me a little of one of a Hublot big bang or Audemars Piget.

And your camera seems to be working just fine

[lorsban]

I realize the band won't stay perfect forever, but I also don't want to purchase one and then have it start to discolor & begin to look extremely beat up after on a few weeks wearing the watch around water condition.

Or, you could do what I do and simply switch to the rubber one when you plan on any hard use.

I've got a SuperOcean which came with a steel band, I got a rubber one pretty much like yours for when I want a different look or for sports.

Great looking watch, by the way. If I were to pick between that material and titanium, I'd pick that. It looks so much tougher and probably is!

[moby33]

Originally Posted by lorsban

Or, you could do what I do and simply switch to the rubber one when you plan on any hard use.

I've got a SuperOcean which came with a steel band, I got a rubber one pretty much like yours for when I want a different look or for sports.

Great looking watch, by the way. If I were to pick between that material and titanium, I'd pick that. It looks so much tougher and probably is!

Plus it has the weight of stainless vice titanium (I realize some like the lighter feel of titanium, but I love the feel of ss). I'm not kidding, this watch moves around less on my wrist than my Sub even though I'm not wearing it tight. Granted, I like to wear my SS watches somewhat loose, but the rubber strap really keeps this thing under control.

I thought about the switching option, and that definitely will be the case when I know it will get long term water use...but it seems 99% of the time my watches get weight I hadn't really planned on it...hence the reason 90% of my watch collection are on ss bracelets. I just hate thinking ahead of time what I might run into...I want to be able to not worry about it. In the past when I had leather straps on sport watches (mainly when I use to own a Bell & Ross BR01-94) I would baby the hell out of the band...but I just don't want to do that any more.

I've decided to purchase a Hirsch black leather & going to put that on. It only ran about $38...so I figured why worry about it. If after a year it looks terrible, then no big deal, just gives me an excuse to buy another band. Seeing as we're not talking the $200-$400 range I was quoted on getting a Breitling leather band, I'm not really worried about spending $38 every 6-12 months if need be. Hopefully the Hirsch band will look good and hold up...time will tell. I'll post some more pics once the new band comes in.

Cheers.

[moby33]

Just received the Hirsch - it's the Mariner Leather Sport black w/ white stitching, reported water resistant & spa tested. We'll see how it holds up. I'm going to leave it on for a while. As you'll see, I also swapped out the Hirsch chrome buckle for the Breitling in order to maintain the stealth look...I like it a lot.

Also included is a shot with a croc strap w/ red stitching. Not really my taste as I think it's too 'Out There'...but it was free, so I figured I would put it on to see how it looks.

[lorsban]

If after a year it looks terrible, then no big deal, just gives me an excuse to buy another band.

Haha! Good call! Actually, it's a real hassle to switch bands.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by lorsban

Actually, it's a real hassle to switch bands.

I don't follow. With the right tool (spring bar tool) it takes about 10 seconds to swap bands...I swapped all three bands today in less time than it takes me to clean my watch. I was also pleasantly surprised to find a mini-spring bar tool enclosed with the shipment of my Hirsch band free of charge...a leather band & tool for less than $40 bucks...not bad IMO.

[AMS MIKE]

Avenger is sick! thanks for sharing the pictures.

Alcantara strap w/ Red stitch would look GOOOOD!