Watch Review: Breitling 41 Automatic Colt
In this review, we will be looking at the Breitling Colt… The main selling point of this watch is its affordable price tag, making it a great option for someone looking for an entry level luxury sports watch. Like other sports watches, the Colt is great for outdoor activities and manual labour. You can even wear it at the gym.
This is because Breitling watches are meant to be used as tool watches. Think Navitimer for aviation and Avenger for deep sea diving… And the Colt is no exception. This watch was first released in the 1980s to be used in the military, so Breitling must have had one thing in mind when they designed this watch- toughness…
The Breitling Colt’s Design
The Colt’s case is made of 316L steel, with sapphire crystal that has been glare proofed on both sides, and it comes with 200m water resistance, making it good for swimming. Its design has a lot of similarities with the higher end Breitling Seawolf Avenger (https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/watches/avenger/seawolf/A17331101B1/) because of their chunky bezels, but the Colt is a lot slimmer with a case thickness of 10.70mm, making it a more versatile option.
When it comes to configuring this watch, there is a lot of choice. For the strap, you can choose leather or rubber in either blue or black, or you can have steel, which is the more versatile option. For the dial, you can choose either Steel- Volcano Black or Mariner Blue. Finally, for the movement, you can choose between Breitling’s SuperQuartz or automatic Breitling 17 movement. Both movements are chronometer certified, which is not commonly found in entry level luxury watches.
For ladies, there is a 36mm version available, that comes with configurations including a mother of pearl dial and even an iced- out bezel, which quickly becomes very expensive… Again, there are a variety of straps including steel and leather, which comes in more colours such as pink.
Steel- Volcano Black Version
This review will be focusing on the Steel- Volcano Black Breitling 41 Automatic Colt, with the black calf leather strap. Its RRP is £2400, but this can vary depending on which boutique you go to… As the name suggests, it has a 41mm case. The black dial and leather strap make this watch classier, meaning it goes great with a casual shirt or jumper. The movement used is Breitling 17, which is based on the popular Swiss ETA 2824. It has a 40- hour power reserve, so it’s advisable to wind it daily.
The first thing I noticed when I picked this watch up was that it’s heavier than it looks, which is a signal of quality. The calf leather strap is also quite thick, making it more durable. The contrasting stitch- work gives this watch a more casual look. To fasten the strap, you have the choice of a buckle or clasp, but the one I looked at had the latter. This is the better option as it means the strap will last longer.
The Breitling Colt’s Dial
The dial has a lot of detail and things going on, which is what I love about this watch. It has a patterned dial, complete with luminescent markers and hands. It also has numbers next to the markers, which is a typical feature of aviation watches, with a large 12 at the twelve o’clock position. On the bottom half of the watch, it tells you it has chronometer, 200m water resistance, and automatic movement. Finally, it has the date at the three o’clock position, which is the cherry on the cake in terms of watches…
The 316L Steel Bezel
The markings on the steel bezel are very intricate, and have been engraved, which gives it a more military look. It also has a luminescent stud at the twelve o’clock position. The bezel is also an indicator of quality, as when you rotate it, it does so very smoothly and quietly, unlike lower end diving watches that cause a racket when you turn the bezel. The only criticism I have of using a steel bezel is that you must be more careful as it does scratch easier than ceramic.
Verdict
Overall, this version of the Colt is one of my favourite Breitling watches because of its affordability, versatility, and the design of the dial, which is why I choose this version over the newer Colt… This watch is a great option for someone looking for a robust sports watch with a military feel to it. For more versatility, I recommend choosing the steel strap.
For more information on the Steel- Volcano Black Breitling 41 Automatic Colt:
https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/watches/colt/colt-41-automatic/A1731311-BE90/