Breitling Aerospace. Educate me

[helidoc]

Every time Tony photographs one of his Breitling Ana-Digitals, I think what lookers they are.

Now Titanium really appeals, but when I think about the movement and functionality then logic takes over.

Essentially the movement is a quartz one (accepting its Thermo-compensated) with the functions of an inexpensive digital watch attached. I am sure 20 years ago this looked quite an attractive feature set but in the era of the GPS enabled smartwatch, it all seems a bit "retro". Now the ETA 2824 movements in many Breitlings are not exactly handcrafted by pixies from precious materials, so I suppose the Aerospace is no more illogical financially than the equivalent analogue Breitling, but GPS watches do a lot more.

For those that love them, could you share what the attraction is, beyond they look awesome ?

Now the best looking of all is the night mission, but that seems at quite a premium for a black coating and deployant.

Not that I need another watch to think about, but....

Cheers

Dave



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[Dave O'Sullivan]

Bought mine recently.
Appeals because it is different to the rest of my collection, very light weight and accurate.
You can get all these things in a cheaper package but that can be said for everything dearer than one of those terrorist spec Casios.

[Omegamanic]

They are fantastic watches, unfortunately I just missed out on the one sold on the forum recently - but I'd rather one than most eta 2824 watches.

[-Ally-]

What strap is that Dave? I'm considering buying some new straps for mine to try and make myself wear it. More Aerospace on strap pictures required for inspiration

[Tooks]

What strap is that Dave? I'm considering buying some new straps for mine to try and make myself wear it. More Aerospace on strap pictures required for inspiration

Looks like the Breitling Military strap to me?

The Black 22mm one is part number 103W.

[Dave O'Sullivan]

Looks like the Breitling Military strap to me?

The Black 22mm one is part number 103W.

It is indeed.
I've actually taken it off that and wear it on a one piece fabric strap in olive. Works really well. I'll post up a photo when I wear it next.

[Caruso]

Smart watches don't do it for me. I suppose in the same way that quartz watches don't do it for the mechanical aficionados. Or perhaps it's because they aren't independent bits of technology in their own right, they need a smartphone and connectivity. So the Aerospace is one of the few 'luxury' watches that combines good looks with all the useful timekeeping functions.

[IanBear]

Caruso has nailed it there. It looks great, has a decent feature set, even it today's world, and when combined with being very thin and titanium, with 100M WR you have a superb all-rounder watch which is also very accurate.

[helidoc]

Thanks all. Those photos really are tempting

Dave


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[MFB Scotland]

They are great watches. Personally, the EVO was too big for me. However my Advantage is perfect.

[helidoc]

They are great watches. Personally, the EVO was too big for me. However my Advantage is perfect.

I really like that. Think the 42mm would probably suit me better

D


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[pitbull666]

Really like the black models but always been concerned about the longevity of the coating, hoping the new breitlight material filters down into the range.

[Finners]

Thanks all. Those photos really are tempting

Dave


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Agreed, cracking photo's!

[BCD]

Had my Aerospace for over 4 years now, from this very forum(Tomgw) it's been faultless! The battery has just died so I thought I'd treat it to a full breitling service, looking forward to getting it back and in use again!

[bigmul]

Bought mine recently from the forum, 42mm tuxedo dial (E79362)...always liked ana-digi from when I had a Casio my Dad got me as a kid. It really is light compared to my other watches but I love it! Plus having 100m WR means you can use it on holiday, in the pool etc...it's fab!

[monogroover]

I had an Aero and really loved it, but I must admit my aviator G-Shock sucked the fun out of it. Does the same things better, and more.

[helidoc]

I had an Aero and really loved it, but I must admit my aviator G-Shock sucked the fun out of it. Does the same things better, and more.

I do rather think this is the problem. Technically, the Aerospace is outmatched at very little money, OK for a mechanical, not so OK for quartz. The B55 is another matter, lovely in the metal too, but the price is a bit of a shocker!


D

[RustyRoses]

I tried the B50 on. Love the look. Love the Digital functions. 46mm is 3-4mm too big and the price is twice what it should be tho... doh..

[Kippax]

Absolute great watch. Loving having this one.



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[W124]

I bought one from Carl (j4ckal), as a reasonably smart travel tool watch.

I was really amazed at the lightness, compared with a GMT II, it is a revelation.
The alarm feature is very useful, as is the second TZ.

I'm not a fan of bracelets, preferring a distressed leather where possible.
The case is flat between the lugs, so it wil take any number of leather or fabric straps.

The only feature that I find annoying is the need to spin the crown to switch functions and move the hour hand.

I want to use the analog display for local time, the digi for home time, and TZ function for a third TZ.

It seems to take an inordinate number of spins to rotate the minute hand by one hour ?
The manual talks about fast or slow spins of the crown, but I cannot get it to jump one hour, as a true GMT should.

Any useful feedback would be much appreciated.

Apart from that, I'm really pleased with my first Aerospace !

[Kippax]

I should never of got rid of my Cobra.

Why do watches do this to you?




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[helidoc]

OK, I've now had a look at servicing costs :(

£475 for a full service! Do they automatically replace the movement for that?

I appreciate how labour intensive it is to disassemble, clean, lubricate and reassemble a mechanical movement, but a quartz watch? I'm having some difficulty seeing the value in that.

For those that have them, do you only service very infrequently?

Dave


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[mycroft]

Not wishing to rain on anyone's parade, I thought I might present a personal view from the other side of the fence. As a fan of Breitings and having never tried the Aerospace or an ana-digi of any sort, it had been on my bucket list for some time when I bought an Aerospace Avantage from an Austrian dealer about a year ago. It was the grey dial version I'd been looking for on an OEM rubber strap. Despite keeping the watch for about 6 months and trying really hard to bond with it, I found it consistently disappointing. When Col (cgs) bought it off me, I wasn't remotely sorry to see it go.

I found it too small, far too light and insubstantial. When I first bought it a member here commented that they were so light "I wouldn't even know I was wearing it"... like that was a good thing. Not in my book, I'm afraid.

I never really used any of its digital capabilities because I found all that crown twirling ridiculously difficult and imprecise.

I would never buy another one. I realise this may not be a popular view on this thread, but you did ask for opinions...

Simon


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[blackal]

Not wishing to rain on anyone's parade, I thought I might present a personal view from the other side of the fence. As a fan of Breitings and having never tried the Aerospace or an ana-digi of any sort, it had been on my bucket list for some time when I bought an Aerospace Avantage from an Austrian dealer about a year ago. It was the grey dial version I'd been looking for on an OEM rubber strap. Despite keeping the watch for about 6 months and trying really hard to bond with it, I found it consistently disappointing. When Col (cgs) bought it off me, I wasn't remotely sorry to see it go.

I found it too small, far too light and insubstantial. When I first bought it a member here commented that they were so light "I wouldn't even know I was wearing it"... like that was a good thing. Not in my book, I'm afraid.

I never really used any of its digital capabilities because I found all that crown twirling ridiculously difficult and imprecise.

I would never buy another one. I realise this may not be a popular view on this thread, but you did ask for opinions...

Simon


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It's a report of your personal experience - unlikely to cause offence, I wouldn't expect?

(just because you have "sausage-fingers" :) )

I think my Aerospace weighed in at 75g (with bracelet) - compared to my Boschette Cavedweller which was around 1/4kg.

[Seamaster73]

Poor man's X-33, IMO.

[demonloop]

Poor man's X-33, IMO.

Some men (me) find the X-33 fugly though. Never saw the attraction to them, each to their own of course.

[Wooster]

Love it!

[MFB Scotland]

Poor man's X-33, IMO.

I bought an X33 last autumn as I always wanted to try one. I sold it reasonably quickly to get another Aerospace.

Just a matter of personal taste.

[learningtofly]

I bought an X33 last autumn as I always wanted to try one. I sold it reasonably quickly to get another Aerospace.

Just a matter of personal taste.

Indeed. No comparison really -both nice watches.

[Caruso]

I bought an X33 last autumn as I always wanted to try one. I sold it reasonably quickly to get another Aerospace.

Just a matter of personal taste.

I've got both and wouldn't want to part with either. I wear the Aerospace more often due to comfort and looks.

[proby24]

Poor man's X-33, IMO.

The older generation X-33 has to be the ugliest premium watch in the planet. A poor man's G-Shock with 30m WR.

The Breitling is leagues ahead and a modern masterpiece.

[RossC]

Morning Ross, how are you?

I can't deny it, you did try to warn me and I did ignore you to my detriment! I wanted to try the Aerospace experience on the cheap, and so I bought an Avantage on rubber when I should have bought an Evo on bracelet... in my defence I just didn't have the money at the time.

You know my tastes well, and I'm beginning to think that if I was to have another go at the Breitling ana-digi thing, I might be better off with a B50 Cockpit - 46mm would work better for me, I'd still get the relative lightness and I'd certainly get it on a bracelet. Maybe the black titanium one would add another dimension to my collection as well.

On the other hand maybe I need to accept that that particular ship has sailed, and I just prefer my Breitlings to be analogue and steel!

I should add that I have the quartz 'grab-and-go' thing covered with my Bulova Moonwatch...

I'm good thanks, buddy - busy defending the Aerospace's honour

I doubt you'd do the ana-digi thing again, but a B50 or B55 certainly make sense for your size preference. I respect Breitling for doing an in-house quartz, but of course, that means more money, so I'm a little more comfortable at the Aerospace price point - after all, I don't even really like quartz

As for a black titanium one, alas, no bracelet option available for you, but military canvas or rubber works well regardless on a case that size. I remain yet to be convinced over all the Breitling DLC nonsense though. Even if it is hard wearing, the caveat that it can't be refinished in the future is worrying and my eyesight would always focus on a blemish, no matter how tiny.

My love of the Evo remains though, lightweight without feeling insubstantial, incredibly comfortable, and slim enough to slip under any shirt cuff... A B50/B55 certainly doesn't do that.

[Tom-P]

The older generation X-33 has to be the ugliest premium watch in the planet. A poor man's G-Shock with 30m WR.

The Breitling is leagues ahead and a modern masterpiece.

Must say I'm in that camp. I'm always surprised that people compare them.

[RossC]

Not wishing to rain on anyone's parade, I thought I might present a personal view from the other side of the fence. As a fan of Breitings and having never tried the Aerospace or an ana-digi of any sort, it had been on my bucket list for some time when I bought an Aerospace Avantage from an Austrian dealer about a year ago. It was the grey dial version I'd been looking for on an OEM rubber strap. Despite keeping the watch for about 6 months and trying really hard to bond with it, I found it consistently disappointing. When Col (cgs) bought it off me, I wasn't remotely sorry to see it go.

I found it too small, far too light and insubstantial. When I first bought it a member here commented that they were so light "I wouldn't even know I was wearing it"... like that was a good thing. Not in my book, I'm afraid.

I never really used any of its digital capabilities because I found all that crown twirling ridiculously difficult and imprecise.

Respect your opinion Simon, but I remember saying to you at the time, you were making the wrong choice. For a man who loves big watches like your Avenger, and your Cobra Seawolf, choosing the 42mm Avantage rather than the 43mm Evo, which incidentally wears larger than the 1mm increase suggests, you may have had a different experience.

The next mistake in my view, was the fact it was without bracelet. I always found my previous Avantage models weren't quite right without the bracelet. Because the watch is so light, but smaller than the Evo on my 7.5inch wrist, a strap tries to force one side of the head upwards rather than sitting flat. I wear my Evo on straps, but the bracelet really makes it, for comfort and lightweight, yet sturdy feel.

Thirdly, for those struggling with the small crown, the Evo addresses this with a larger crown making functions easier to navigate, including the hour forward/back flick, which I always found a really difficult knack to master on previous models.

As for the X33 comparison, they are so different, especially in thickness and look, but having an extra 70m water resistance helps my peace of mind.

I'm not a fan of quartz in my collection, but my Aerospace is a watch I often pick up over the others, there are just so many advantages over my mechanicals I find hard to overlook for so many situations.

[mycroft]

Respect your opinion Simon, but I remember saying to you at the time, you were making the wrong choice. For a man who loves big watches like your Avenger, and your Cobra Seawolf, choosing the 42mm Avantage rather than the 43mm Evo, which incidentally wears larger than the 1mm increase suggests, you may have had a different experience.

The next mistake in my view, was the fact it was without bracelet. I always found my previous Avantage models weren't quite right without the bracelet. Because the watch is so light, but smaller than the Evo on my 7.5inch wrist, a strap tries to force one side of the head upwards rather than sitting flat. I wear my Evo on straps, but the bracelet really makes it, for comfort and lightweight, yet sturdy feel.

Thirdly, for those struggling with the small crown, the Evo addresses this with a larger crown making functions easier to navigate, including the hour forward/back flick, which I always found a really difficult knack to master on previous models.

As for the X33 comparison, they are so different, especially in thickness and look, but having an extra 70m water resistance helps my peace of mind.

I'm not a fan of quartz in my collection, but my Aerospace is a watch I often pick up over the others, there are just so many advantages over my mechanicals I find hard to overlook for so many situations.

Morning Ross, how are you?

I can't deny it, you did try to warn me and I did ignore you to my detriment! I wanted to try the Aerospace experience on the cheap, and so I bought an Avantage on rubber when I should have bought an Evo on bracelet... in my defence I just didn't have the money at the time.

You know my tastes well, and I'm beginning to think that if I was to have another go at the Breitling ana-digi thing, I might be better off with a B50 Cockpit - 46mm would work better for me, I'd still get the relative lightness and I'd certainly get it on a bracelet. Maybe the black titanium one would add another dimension to my collection as well.

On the other hand maybe I need to accept that that particular ship has sailed, and I just prefer my Breitlings to be analogue and steel!

I should add that I have the quartz 'grab-and-go' thing covered with my Bulova Moonwatch...

Simon

[MMC]

Yep. Have an Aero and an X33. Love 'em both. Think the B'ling is maybe a little dressier and smarter but the X33 alarm is very, very handy when you're jet lagged and have to be up for a meeting!

[Plake]

Think I'm on my 4th Aerospace now. My favourite is the Avantage with the black dial. Never liked the tuxedo variant in photos but having had both tux and non tux black dialled versions I actually prefer the tux version now.

Great light grab and go watch which has beautiful design and attention to detail.

[Plake]

some q&d iPhone pics of my 4th and current aerospace. I like how the dial changes a lot with the light and angle of viewing.

[helidoc]

There is an awful lot of WIS-love for the Aerospace, that is for sure.

I tried one today and is sure is pretty. I even managed to navigate the functions pretty well, as the store staff had no idea. Everything but turn on the backlight :)

If I can get past the whole quartz and service cost thing....

D


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[Chris_in_the_UK]

I love the look (in photos) on my wrist less so - prefer the Emergency much more TBH.

[GuyIncognito]

Is 42mm as small as they get?

[Caruso]

Is 42mm as small as they get?

No, the older ones such as mine in the vid are 40mm. That was one of the reasons I went for my F75362 it was 40mm but still had the superquartz movement which is thermocompensated. Later models have backlit LCD displays which is the only thing I really miss from my version, but they're 42mm upwards.

There's a useful history of the older versions here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f39/bre...dating-73.html

[awo]

One thing I like to add...

As far as I know, some watches claim they share the "same" movement, but it seems that Breitling (or whoever) modifies the movements more than I thought. From memory (and some videos?) the Victorinox Swiss Army Chrono Classic XLS, e.g., uses the same base movement but it does not have that feature that allows to move the hands or display in hour steps by a "quick" turn of the crown. So, if setting the countdown to 1 hrs you need ~60 turns instead of the one "quick" one with the Aerospace. The message is, maybe you don't get the same functionality with similar cheaper watches.

I may be completely wrong, by the way...

And, I miss my Aerospace Avantage now that I think about it...

[Newby]

Aerospace is very nice

[MFB Scotland]

Still of the opinion this is the classic version.



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[Bonerp]

Love mine love the lightness and it's my daily driver slim enough under my cuff.
But too many watches so this one will be sold soon.

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[stevec]

Nice looking watches, saw one in pawn shop/jewelers in Sheffield city centre this lunch. Can't afford it though :(

[Lostintime]

42mm Tuxedo dial for me. The hands of the EVO don't do it and the Pro 3 bracelet just looks generic against the slanted links of the Pro 2.

[fordy964]

These are really growing on me. I must of always ignored these previously but I seem to be noticing them all over the place suddenly. Great looking watches.

[ryanb741]

Here's my LTD edition Night Mission




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