Breitling Airwolf Raven Special Edition quartz chronograph
Originally introduced to the Professional line around three years ago, Breitling‘s hi-tech Airwolf electronic chronograph watch with digital-analog display is now available as Airwolf Raven special edition model.
Unlike the previous models that were entirely made of stainless steel, the new Breitling Airwolf Raven Special Edition watch features black rubber-molded push-pieces inserts and a rubber bezel as well as a new strap, also made of the same material.
(As far as I understand, the Swiss watchmaker also plans to offer the watch on a more practical stainless steel bracelet. )
Well, all things considered, a black ceramic bezel would be a real hit, but even this “low-tech” solution provides the watch with menacing appearance, making it look like a real professional instrument.
And justly so.
Like the original model, the Airwolf Raven is powered by an extra-accurate SuperQuartz movement that has enough oomph to provide the watch with 1/100th of a second chronograph, alarm, countdown, second time-zone, and even UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) functionality.
Its digital-analogue display, which is BTW a little bit overcrowded for easy reading, sports a special back-lighting system, which is compatible with night vision goggles. And its alarm system is said to be loud enough to wake you up from the dead.
Being a true professional instrument, the watch is by no means small. With its body measuring just shy of 44 millimeters in width, the watch is almost 17 mm in height and it tips the scales at almost 107 grams! However, it seems to be nicely shaped and will look good on a wrist, especially if accompanied by a bomber jacket and an oxygen mask.
The only draw-back for this watch (at least, for yours truly) seems to be a rather low water resistance rating.
For a timekeeper of this size and, well, presence, the official 5 bars of WR seems somewhat ridiculous: the watch just screams “take me diving,” but instead may take a leak while swimming in a pool.
However, if you don’t expect crash-land on water in the foreseeable future and plan to wear the watch only in a controlled environment, you should really consider getting yourself one. It is well worth the price, even if Breitling will ask almost $5000 for it.
Photos: Breitling
Breitling Airwolf Raven Special Edition quartz chronograph watch’s specification:
Price range: $4700
Movement: SuperQuartz, quartz
Complications: Chronograph, date, alarm, countdown, GMT, UTC
Power reserve: N/A
Case material: Stainless still with molded rubber
Case size: 43.5 mm
Case height: 16.75 mm
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Black rubber
Crystal: Sapphire, glareproof
Evgueni Matoussevitch in Quartz watches, Swiss WatchesTags: 43.5 mm, 50 m, Airwolf, alarm, Breitling, Chronograph, digital, pilot's watch, quartz, Raven, SuperQuartz, UTC
