Breitling Aeromarine Colt

I've always wanted to have a Breitling as part of my modest watch collection. I have admired this brand for quite some time, but I was initially scared away because almost all of their models I've seen were quite large and considerably thick. Since I have small wrists I did not look at them again until recently. I started researching their various models and found a few that would actually fit me fine. In fact, after I looked at several models, I found the earlier Colt I and Wings styles to be a tad too small.

After a couple of months of research, I settled my sights on a Colt GMT. The size fit me well (40.5mm diameter case and 14mm height). It also fits my target price range and has all the features I wanted in a Breitling, except a chronograph. I was intent on buying an automatic watch, but if I insisted on a chronograph automatic, I would have ended up with a much bigger watch than I wanted and most likely put me over my target price range. The GMT was a nice compromise; it had the "complexity and bling" of a Breitling at the cost and size I wanted. My local AD was also very accommodating by offering a substantial discount.

Quite a number of people already reviewed this watch, so just to quickly list some of the major features:
- 40.5mm diameter case, 20 mm lug distance, about 14mm height.
- Unidirection "minute scaled" bezel.
- Flat sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating on both inside and outside.
- Independently adjustable GMT hand.
- 500 meter depth rating.
- "Fighter" solid SS bracelet with solid/locking clasp and solid end links. The links have polished outside rows and satin finished on the center row.
- COSC certified Caliber 32 movement (I understand this was originally sourced from ETA but highly modified by Breitling).

Breitling and polished surfaces seem to be quite synonymous and the Colt GMT is another good example. Because of this, I have a tendency to wear this watch only if I am wearing a long sleeved shirt, just so I can avoid scratching it. It is a very comfortable watch to wear even if it is on the heavy side. Although even with utmost care, swirls and minor scratches are the norm for this great looking bracelet. Just need to buff it out every so often.

With the anti-glare finish on the crystal, the look of this watch changes dramatically depending on how the light reflects off the watch dial. This is more evident when trying to photograph it. Not only does it change the light reflection on the great looking Arabic numerals, which affects the overall look of the watch, it also changes the color of the dial from black to gray to blue or somewhere in between. The watch actually looks best in natural, low to medium light conditions and looks worst in a jewelry store (direct bright spotlight) situation. While showing me the watch, the jeweler actually told me to move away from their spotlighted counter and look at the watch near their entry door and found that she was absolutely right. It just "glowed" and I knew right there and then, this is the watch for me.

Although I'm sure it is quite sturdy to take the beating of a daily wear, I think I would personally have a problem doing this, as I would predict the bracelet would end up looking fairly worn after a short period of time. I currently have this watch on a 1-2 times per week rotation, but I figure if I have to use it more often, I would consider replacing the gorgeous bracelet with a leather or alligator strap, to save the bracelet from excessive wear.

So much about the polished surfaces….

The watch itself has been great in keeping time, well within COSC specs in the 9 months I had it and just recently observed at a consistent +2 seconds/day. It also seems to have quite a power reserve at it is the last one (among my other watches) to run out of steam when not used for a while.

The GMT hand is independently adjustable using the quick set feature (one way for the calendar, the opposite way for the GMT hand). This feature makes the GMT hand setting quite convenient without disturbing the actual setting of the watch.

Everything about this Colt GMT exudes the look of a first class product. From the box it came in, to every piece and part of this watch. Comparing bracelet deployant links and clasps alone, IMHO, it actually puts Rolex to shame, although they (Rolex) have been catching up with their new bracelet upgrades recently, albeit with a ridiculous price increase. This Colt GMT is a great example of the great quality product from a great watch company. Although at this price range, this should be expected.

Two things I can gripe about this watch: 1. I have to wipe off my fingerprints on the highly polished clasp every time I have to wear it. 2. The Breitling baseball cap I received as a gift is a little gaudy for my taste (although I was surprised I got a gift, never got one from Omega or Rolex).