« An Avenger with the Soul of a Dive Watch »
Since its major overhaul in 2019, Breitling's aviation collection Avenger has focused on a smaller lineup with a sharper profile. Standing out as a particularly striking part of the new family are the Seawolf editions: Built to be extremely rugged, they expand the traditional focus on aviation with groundbreaking water resistance to 3,000 meters. We took a closer look at their dual character and tested how well the blend of pilot's watch and dive watch really works. Here we share our first impressions.
In the Cockpit Since 1942: A Portrait of the Avenger
Massive construction, a powerful look, and a professional focus: Experience shows that Breitling Avenger and Avenger II watches aren't timepieces for refined occasions, but genuine instrument watches. Their strong ties to aviation date back to 1942, when the Swiss manufacturer first delivered its famous Chronomat pilot's watch to the Royal Air Force and the US Army Air Force.
Characterized by its slide rule and a large winding crown, the Chronomat opts for a simpler yet more robust design compared to the Navitimer introduced in 1952. Despite the promising recipe, the rugged line never reached the popularity of the Navitimer and disappeared into the history books for decades. Then, in 2001, came the big comeback: Christened with the new name Avenger, the spirit of the original Chronomat returned to enthusiasts' wrists. The current collection, revamped in 2019, comprises a total of 14 editions. Available in three sizes of 43, 45, and 48 millimeters, most models offer solid water resistance of 300 meters, clearly outperforming most pilot's watches. On paper, our basic Breitling Avenger Seawolf impressions of the new generation are positive right from the start.
Just for comparison: A typical Navitimer such as the B01 Chronograph 46 manages a mere 30 meters. Two of the 14 newcomers, however, aren't satisfied with 300 meters and multiply that figure tenfold to a groundbreaking 3,000 meters. The name Breitling Seawolf seems all too fitting, since the US Navy's Seawolf class of the same name consists of three of the most advanced nuclear submarines of our time.
Understatement Despite Top Performance
The two versions of the Breitling Seawolf couldn't be more different: While the classic version features a satin-finished stainless steel case with a bright yellow dial, the Night Mission aims to impress with its all-black design. Made from DLC-coated titanium, it is fitted with eight Arabic numerals, unlike the yellow pilot's watch, and comes across as more timeless overall, but also more menacing than its bright sister model.
Despite their aesthetic contrasts, the two editions share a great deal: Not only the hefty 45-millimeter diameter, but also the date display at 3 o'clock and the black military leather strap – available with either a tang buckle or a folding clasp – are hallmarks of every Seawolf.
What we particularly like is the relative understatement of these two powerhouses. Sure, a 45-millimeter Breitling with 300 meters of water resistance is certainly not among the most understated watches you can wear.
But in our experience, the Seawolf 1 and 2 is also not an instrument that loudly shows off its significantly increased toughness compared to other Avenger models.
Quite the opposite: The harmonious case shape, the unidirectional rotating bezel with 15-minute markings, and the grip pattern on the crown (designed for operation with gloves) are identical to the rest of the model family with 300 meters of water resistance. Only those who read the telltale depth rating on the dial or are true Breitling experts know about its real capabilities, which in our experience are second to none.
Attractive Pricing Thanks to an ETA Automatic Movement
Looking at its profile, another distinguishing feature of the Breitling Seawolf catches the eye – one that matters in everyday wear: case height. At a hefty 18.39 millimeters, it exceeds the Avenger Chronograph 45 by almost two millimeters, and its smaller sister model, the Automatic 43, by a full six millimeters. Slim it is not. But the extra space is urgently needed – after all, besides generous protection against external influences, it also has to house the Breitling 17 automatic movement.
Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it offers a power reserve of 38 hours and is based on the proven mass-production caliber ETA 2824. This means Seawolf buyers have to do without an in-house movement, but in return they benefit from a relatively low price point: The stainless steel model with yellow dial and tang buckle costs €3,800, while the black Night Mission comes in at €4,550 (manufacturer's prices). Folding clasps add a surcharge of approx. €200 (stainless steel) and €300 (Night Mission).
More Pilot's Watch or Dive Watch?
After our first impressions of design and technology, the crucial question arises: Who is the Breitling right for? The answer is by no means obvious, because when it comes to dive watches, the Superocean Heritage collection has more to offer: Although its models usually reach "only" 200 meters, they come in a much greater variety than the Seawolf and – let's be honest – who really needs more than 200 meters of depth? When it comes to functional pilot's watches, on the other hand, experience shows that the Navitimer, with its countless model variants, sizes, and calibers, dominates the field.
In our experience, the Breitling Seawolf should be seen as a hybrid that aims to combine the best of both worlds. Although it is officially considered a pilot's watch with the qualities of a diver, we think the reverse view is more fitting: While the instrument looks back on a history in aviation, its dive watch DNA makes up a much larger part of the overall picture than its pilot's watch character.
And yet: Our Breitling Avenger Seawolf impressions couldn't be more positive. If you've discovered your love for a truly special watch, you should give in to it.3,000 meters of water resistance is an exceptional achievement, not only within Breitling's portfolio but across the entire watch world, making the Seawolf the ultimate dive watch for hardcore fans. Here, even the Superocean Heritage can't keep up.
