Breitling Avenger Seawolf Titanium

[costsmonkey]

I am toying with the idea of buying a Breitling Avenger Seawolf Titanium.

I have read a number of threads on here and done a bit of research and have the following questions;

1. I have seen some suggestion that the crown on the Breitling titanium watches are not very robust and often cause problems. Is that true and, if so, is it a widespread problem or does it only affect an unlucky few?

2. I would probably want to wear it in a leather strap but suspect it is better to buy one on a bracelet and then change the strap. Is that correct?

3. Has anybody dealt with the dealer settling the watch in the link below and if so was it a good experience?

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breitling/avenger-seawo...

4. Is the price sought for the watch in the link fair?

5. The dealer suggests; the serial number written in the warranty booklet differs from that on the watch and the wrest of the literature (watch model number is correct). This usually happened when the original dealer pre-filled out warranty booklets (to later save time) and then mixed one up with another identical watch at the time of sale. Not important now, but I just prefer to mention it. We've actually seen it a few times over the years. Is that correct? Seems odd to me. Would it put you off?

Appreciate any thoughts or observations.

Thanks

[Graemsay]

I used to have an Avenger Seawolf.

1. I remember the crown on mine pulling out completely at one point! I didn't know that they weren't that durable, but that'd explain it. The rest of the case was a big lump of titanium, so pretty tough!
2. I don't know if Breitling still sell the bracelets, so if you want one it'd be better to get a watch that comes with it. I used to wear mine on a rubber strap, as that was lighter and more comfortable.
3. I've not dealt with them. Sorry.
4. That seems to be a reasonable price. Most Avenger Seawolves sell for just over £2000. Incidentally, that was their RRP about a decade ago.
5. I'd be a bit nervous about getting one which didn't have matching paperwork, but that's my OCD playing up. There are a few for sale on Chrono24, so you shouldn't have trouble getting another.

Overall I quite liked the watch, it was toned down from the typical Breitling. However, it didn't keep time that well, which is why I traded it in.

If you're looking at alternatives, the Tudor Pelagos is £3160, whilst the Black Bay range starts at £2410, rising to £3200 for the black model. Ernest Jones have a 10% discount for signing up for their newsletter, so the starting price would be in the same ballpark as the Breitling.

Most have an in-house movement, which is chronometer rated, has a longer power reserve than the ETA used in the Avenger Seawolf (70 versus 48 hours), and has a silicon balance spring, so is less susceptible to magnetism, which is what I think caused the accuracy problems with mine.

If you're not wedded to the Avenger Seawolf, they're possibly a better alternative.

Also note that the new Breitling Superocean Heritage is using the Tudor three-hander movement as the basis for its B20. They're also a really nice looking piece, though they start at £3490, making them a bit more expensive.

[ZesPak]

Maybe it's just me but the finish on that picture looks like it's a very cheap watch or knock off.
I hope the fit and finish is a lot more impressive in real life?

[gun12b]

this is mine, i also had trouble with the crown,repaired under warranty now i don't screw it up any more...

[ZesPak]

I stand corrected, that picture is a lot better than the one in the op.

[catso]

Graemsay said:

The rest of the case was a big lump of titanium, so pretty tough!

No experience of Breitling but I've got a couple of Titanium watches and it might be a tough metal but it does mark/scratch much easier than steel.

[costsmonkey]

Thanks chaps.

Very helpful. Food for thought.

[Graemsay]

catso said:

No experience of Breitling but I've got a couple of Titanium watches and it might be a tough metal but it does mark/scratch much easier than steel.

Yeah, the watch did pick up scratches pretty easily, but I wasn't too bothered. Well, apart from that time it took a heavy knock, and dented the bezel...

Two things that I forgot to mention about wearing the Avenger Seawolf earlier:

1. It's a thick watch, and so won't fit under shirt cuffs easily.
2. The prongs or guards on the bezel at 0, 15, 30 and 45 have a habit of catching on things.

[Graemsay]

Just for fun, another alternative. The Oris Regulateur Der Meistertaucher. I saw one in a shop window yesterday, and it looked pretty cool.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/oris-regulateur-...



Francis and Gaye have one in for £1,837.50.

https://www.francisandgaye.co.uk/oris-mens-regulat...

[Dempsey1971]

costsmonkey said:

5. The dealer suggests; the serial number written in the warranty booklet differs from that on the watch and the wrest of the literature (watch model number is correct). This usually happened when the original dealer pre-filled out warranty booklets (to later save time) and then mixed one up with another identical watch at the time of sale. Not important now, but I just prefer to mention it. We've actually seen it a few times over the years. Is that correct? Seems odd to me. Would it put you off?

Appreciate any thoughts or observations.

Thanks

So its priced as a Box and Papers watch, but has effectively no papers. Ask for appropriate discount. Is it even the correct box or just one added later with a little story?
That bezel looks like it's made from clay and nowhere near sharp enough - be careful.
Titanium is a scratch magnet - be careful.

[clockworks]

I was offered one of these by a jeweller that had taken it in part exchange. No box or papers, and it had a few dings and scratches on the bezel and bracelet. His asking price was £1000, as a trade sale. Nice looking dial, and fairly light. Just too bulky for my small wrist.
I was tempted though.

[Graemsay]

If anyone is looking for an Avenger Seawolf, Russell Crowe is selling his.

https://www.sothebysaustralia.com.au/list/AU0822/2...