Bang for the Buck

5 Affordable Breitling Watches for New Collectors


Many brands offer aviation-themed timepieces, but when you think of fighter pilots and the instrument watches made for them, chances are that one brand comes to mind: Breitling. Here are five Breitling watches that are in stores now* at accessible prices.

Breitling Colt Automatic

Breitling created the Colt in the 1980s. Originally intended for use by the armed forces, the watch developed a wider following in the civilian world and soon established itself as the most accessible Breitling. The Colt features many of the visual cues that give Breitling watches their unmistakable look. The broad unidirectional rotating bezel with a satin-brushed finish and engraved hour-markers features the brand’s trademark rider tabs. These tabs improve the grip on the bezel, making it easy to rotate even when wearing gloves. They also help to protect the glare-resistant sapphire crystal, and they can be used to track elapsed time or to serve as a reminder for a future event. The Breitling Colt’s 44-mm case is water-resistant to 200 meters. The Colt Automatic is powered by the mechanical Breitling Caliber 17, which is a COSC-certified chronometer. The Colt is available with black, blue and silver dials, and a variety of straps and bracelets. The Breitling Colt Automatic is priced from $3,090.

breitling colt automatic
The Colt Automatic offers the unmistakable Breitling look at an affordable price.

 

Breitling Superocean 42

For those who enjoy underwater adventure, Breitling created the Superocean. The look is classic yet modern, and the colorful inner bezels give these timepieces an instantly recognizable look. The inner bezels are available in blue, yellow, red or silver, each with a black dial. There are also two limited editions of 2,000 pieces each, one with an orange inner bezel, and the other with matching blue dial and blue inner bezel. The Breitling Superocean case is milled from a solid block of stainless steel. The final product is 42 mm in diameter and water-resistant to 1,500 meters. (A 44-mm version is also available). The screw-locked crown incorporates twin gaskets to seal out water, and the pressure release valve located in the side of the case at 10 o’clock is a mark of a true professional dive watch. The Breitling Superocean is also powered by the COSC-certified Caliber 17 automatic-winding movement.

The Breitling Superocean 42 is priced from $3,295.

breitling superocean
Breitling’s Superocean features a 1,500 meter depth rating and a helium escape valve at an attractive price.

Breitling Aerospace Evo

First launched in 1985, the multi-function Aerospace became the face of Breitling’s SuperQuartz-powered instrument timepieces. The movement, which is 10 times more accurate than a standard quartz oscillator, offers a variety of easy-to-use functions, including a 1/100th of a second chronograph, countdown timer, second time zone, alarm, audible time signal and calendar. All of these are accessed and operated by simply rotating and pressing or pulling the crown. The Aerospace also features a very effective backlight system that is compatible with night vision goggles. Fashioned from light yet strong titanium, the 43 mm satin-brushed case is water resistant to 100 meters. The caseback includes conversion scales for English and metric measurements.

The new Breitling Aerospace Evo is available with black, blue or gray dials, and comes fitted with a leather, crocodile leather or rubber strap, or a titanium bracelet, priced from $3,460.

Breitling Aerospace Evo
The new Aerospace Evo offers rugged good looks and excellent functionality.

 

Breitling Super Avenger II Chronograph

Our next selection represents a step up in size, and in mechanical complexity. The Super Avenger II boasts an impressive 48-mm-diameter, polished steel case designed to provide maximum strength and reliability. Water-resistant to 300 meters, the case includes substantial lateral reinforcements for improved shock protection. An extra-thick anti-glare sapphire crystal protects a display that employs oversize hands, numerals and hour markers for improved legibility in all conditions. The chronograph counters measure elapsed periods of 60 seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours. The Breitling Caliber 13 automatic winding mechanical chronograph movement is a COSC-certified chronometer.

The Breitling Super Avenger II Chronograph is available on a strap or bracelet, priced from $5,335.

Breitling Super Avenger II
The Super Avenger II Chronograph is not for the faint of heart.

 

Breitling Chronomat 41 Airborne

Our final selection takes us into the rarified realm of in-house Swiss-made chronographs. Only a handful of watch brands produce these movements. Naturally there is a step up in price, but there is also a step up in prestige and exclusivity. The Breitling Chronomat story began in the early 1980s, when Ernest Schneider, who had recently purchased the company from Willy Breitling, learned that the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian airforce aerobatics team, was seeking a manufacturer to create an official watch. Schneider determined to create an all-new aviation chronograph, working in close cooperation with the squadron. The Chronomat launched in 1983, and Schneider decided to make it the flagship of the Breitling brand. In light of that status, in 2009 the Chronomat was the first model fitted with the new Breitling in-house chronograph caliber B01. To celebrate the Chronomat’s 30th anniversary, Breitling has issued a special series, designed to capture the spirit the of the original Frecce Tricolori chronograph. The Breitling Chronomat Airborne is distinguished by its satin-brushed bezel, and a caseback engraved with the inscription “Edition Spéciale 30e Anniversaire” (Special 30th Anniversary Edition), as well as the outline of an Aermacchi, one of the ten planes flown by the Italian squadron. Available with polished steel cases in both 41 mm and 44 mm sizes, the Chronomat Airborne features Breitling’s manufacture Caliber B01, which is a COSC-certified chronometer. The movement runs at 28,800 vph in 47 jewels with a 70 hour power reserve. The dials are available in Onyx Black and Sierra Silver, with choice of military strap or Pilot bracelet.

The Breitling Chronomat Airborne is priced from $8,030.

breitling chronomat chronograph
The Breitling Chronomat Airborne pays tribute to the original model.

 

This article was originally published in 2014; prices are subject to change.

 

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No Responses to “5 Affordable Breitling Watches for New Collectors”

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  1. I just got myself my dream Breitling watch. If you really want it bad… Just Do It… I did

    Reply
  2. Breno Vonzeno

    I’m looking for a new Breitling Chronomat 44 with black face for under $5000 AUD

    Reply
  3. Remember 8k to some as affordable as 1k to others. Now i think the super avenger is the best watch for the 4k asking.

    Reply
  4. Victoria gibson

    I have acquired a Breitling but can’t find the model anywhere on Google, is there anyone that could help me?

    Reply
  5. John Carey

    Affordable? I can hear it now “hey honey, I’m going to take $8000 out of our savings to get a new watch”. I’m sure she’d say “no problem, oh and your stuff will be at the curb when you come back. Be sure to call the kids once in a while”. I agree with Alan, affordable is at the most, $2500″. WTF.

    Reply
    • When I make that type of purchase I don’t go over calling the wife or asking for permission I have my spending money and the family money and I control all of it if you can not make that type of decision and you don’t have that money earned and save for your pleasure go buy and invicta so you don’t have to ask or do you still ask ?? Hope not, affordable yes is there watches out there at 2500 yes don’t star depreciating the brand word to the wise every man should have a credit card and a banco account the wife doesn’t know about so when like you say they kick you out I’ll be in a good hotel with good company and not begging to let me back in but that is Kobe of my business

      Reply
      • DivineMrsM

        Ozzie, of course you “control all of it”, as far as you know. Remember, if you can do it, so can your wife. Personally, I think you are full of hot air. If not, watch and see how long your “control of it all”, lasts. Men like you are a dime a dozen. She can do better. You’ll still have your sneakily purchased swag to keep you company. Good grief!

        Reply
      • NickE

        I reckon your bank account runs about as deep as your understanding of punctuation.

        Reply
  6. Liam hurly

    Go look for an app called chrono 24 they have actual affordable watches there not this rubbish

    Reply
  7. This is an awful article, you should have focused on older, more affordable Breitling watches such as the older Superoceans, the Toptime and the chronomat ref 81950

    Reply
  8. You commenters just aren’t committed enough. If you truly loved watches, you’d live in a van down by the river and polish a “precious” Brietling all day.

    Reply
    • Hey look, I have a couple of Brietlings in my collection but yet I still do not consider them all that affordable.

      They’re good for a reward for accomplishing something significant, like quitting smoking, which is how I rewarded myself for accomplishing that. The nice part is that I still have that watch and it has paid for itself and actually saved money from by not buying cigarettes.

      But affordable, especially for the great masses, I think not.

      Reply
      • John Carey

        $8000 watch as a reward? I’d have to cure cancer to justify that! WTF!

        Reply
        • I just got myself my dream Breitling watch. If you really want it bad… Just Do It… I did

          Reply
  9. NaveenNegi

    Why is that pilot’s watches have no mention of likes of Sinn , Stowa , IWC and B&R ? And if you guys really meant affordable why aren’t Casio G shock and Seiko there ?

    Reply
  10. lou fraser

    I love it when you guys make us laugh……………”affordable Breitling’ watches”! That’s a keeper……

    Reply
  11. tyrome ellis

    I always find it amusing how these articles say affordable, the Chronomat Airborne is $8000.00!! Unless you’re in that rich and famous group an $8000.00 watch is not all that affordable.

    Reply
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