The Swiss brand has recently reintroduced its Avenger Seawolf “professional” diver as a limited-edition model. While normally available only in polished stainless steel, this new model comes in a special, hardened steel body that, thanks to the high concentration of carbon within its surface, looks almost black.
The 2013 Breitling Avenger Seawolf Blacksteel Code Yellow features a winning combination of colors and textures that make it an almost ideal watch for a person looking for a military-styled diver with a character.
Like the other members of the family, the watch sports a massive, almost intimidating body 45 millimeters in diameter and almost two centimeters thick!
The size is adequate for a timekeeper, which is rated for depths of whole 3000 meters (almost 10,000 feet), but somewhat limits your choice of clothing.
While the legendary Omega Seamaster that agent 007 loves so much looks great with jeans, shorts, and even a black tie, the only suit that perfectly matches this beast will be the one, which is crafted from neoprene.
Well, you can still wear it with more casual clothing if you keep yourself in good shape.
Unlike the quartz-powered ‘tactical’ 2010 Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel the 2013 Blacksteel Code Yellow comes powered by a more traditional automatic caliber. Called Caliber B17, this is in fact a COSC-certified chronometer-grade ETA 2824-2 workhorse movement that brings you a nice combination of durability, accuracy, and hassle-free maintenance.
According to Breitling, the watch will be issued as a limited edition with only 1000 pieces to be produced. The price is still unknown, but the watch will be expensive.
UPDATE ON PRICE: The Swiss manufacture has just informed us that the watch will be offered with a sticker price of $4,720 (depending on your local taxes, of course,) which makes it considerably more expensive than an average Avenger model.
Also, I still think that even considering the fact that Breitling applies rigorous quality control to all third-party mechanisms that it uses to power its timekeepers, you are still overcharged for the brand name on the dials. Also, a run of 1000 units won’t make it a rarity any time soon, so the Seawolf Blacksteel Code Yellow will not keep its resale value as good as real limited editions that are sold by dozens, not hundreds.
See also: Revue Thommen Airspeed XLarge Chronograph
Photos: Breitling
Breitling Avenger Seawolf Blacksteel Code Yellow specification
Price: $4720 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber B17 (base ETA 2824-2), Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 40 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case: Stainless steel, carbon-hardened
Shape: Round
Size: 45.00 mm
Case height: 18.50 mm
Lug width: 22.00/20.00 mm
Dial: Black with yellow accents
Numerals: Arabic, luminous
Hour markers: Luminous, white Superluminova
Hands: Steel, luminous, white Superluminova
Water resistance: 3000 meters
Strap: Thick black rubber strap with BREITLING lettering, black steel deployant clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, cambered, antireflective on both sides
Back: Solid, engraved