Breitling Avenger Skyland Blacksteel M13380 Luxury Watch Review

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The Breitling Avenger Skyland Blacksteel is a do-it-all sports watch that blends many of the best elements of popular dive watch and pilot's watch models. With its striking all-black treatment, the Avenger Skyland Blacksteel adds the final element that is mandatory in every luxury watch: style.

While Breitling is known for its pilot watches, the Avenger Skyland Blacksteel's 45mm PVD stainless steel case is reinforced to withstand a dive-worthy 300m (1000ft) of water pressure. A screw-down crown, rubber strap, and unidirectional rotating bezel with 60-minute calibration complete the sub-surface ensemble. This watch is ready for any aquatic adventure short of a diving bell.

The Avenger Skyland Blacksteel also stays true to the other half of its moniker; aviation activities are well-served by the high contrast dial and COSC chronometer-grade chronograph movement. Pilots who require a precise timing instrument will be particularly pleased that Breitling's automatic caliber 13 includes a stop seconds feature for easy synchronization to a reference clock.

On the wrist, the Avenger Skyland Blacksteel is comfortable on the skin and imposing to the eye. Its presence is unmistakable, and the continued absence of any equivalent "black watch" in the Rolex catalog means that Solothurn's big black beast has no rivals from Geneva's giant. The rubber strap is supple and conforms to smaller wrists, and the case features short lugs that conform closely to the edge of the case itself. This gentle giant is at home on smaller and average sized wrists (consider 6" circumference the lower limit).

Also a fine collector's piece for Breitling fans, this 2008 Avenger Skyland Blacksteel is one of only 2,000 manufactured as a limited edition. See it in high-resolution images with full Breitling boxes, manuals, documentation, and accessories on www.thewatchbox.com Video and content by Tim Mosso.