The Breitling Watch Blog

Stone Cold Steve Austin saw my write-up earlier this week about his watches and sent me an email! So cool. He also emailed me a pic of his latest acquisition, a Breitling SuperOcean Heritage Chronograph 46 Limited Edition with the white dial and black dual registers.

He indicated that he picked it up in Vegas when he was there watching the UFC Fight recently. I can’t help but notice that he has great taste in watches – very similar to my own. Pic below sent from Steve Austin himself:

On a side note, I can’t wait to see the Expendables movie that he’s in with Sly Stalone, Jet Li and Jason Statham coming out in August!!!

Another Limited Edition U-Boat is going to hit the streets soon, featuring a limited production of 999 pieces and a 53mm Titanium Case. This one harks back to the classic Italian Navy style watches, and one can’t help but compare it to the Panerai Egiziano in terms of looks.

The crown device is interesting on this one, and I’m not quite sure how it works from the description, but as I understand it, the crown flips out and can be turned when it is released by the lever on the bottom.

There is lever on the case at around 4 o’clock that when engaged, prevents the crown from turning, which is a pretty cool feature, especially if you’re going to use it for diving. The watch is good to 300m. The watch features a caliber U-BOAT U-28 automatic movement, which I assume is probably based on a [EDIT]ETA 2824, though I can’t be certain.

Dial is available in black or beige, and caseback is a signed solid back with some cool inscriptions. I kind of hate to admit it, but I like this watch!

I’ve owned a U-Boat before, but to be quite honest, the ridiculous case size and somewhat un-matching straps were just not working for me in the end. The case quality in my opinion was decent, which many people in my forums did not agree with. They have improved their straps in the last year or so, as the ones I have seen are nicer now.

This new U-51 Rattrapante from U-Boat is quite interesting.. mixing in design cues from the Anonimo Professionale series of watches with the screwed-in bezel look. This bad boy is limited to 100 pieces and measures 51mm in diameter and a whopping 19mm thick. The movement is a base 7750 Valjoux modifed by Alfred Rochat. Decent enough, but has the typical lack of detail and finish ont he movement that cheapes U-Boat’s watches IMO.

First was the obscure and rare Panerai PAM195, which was made for Paneristi members in a limited edition of 200 pieces, each with the name of the member engraved on the back of the watch.

Now we have the new Panerai PAM360, produced in a limited edition of 300 pieces, sold at the discretion of the Paneristi Moderators. With such a limited production, these are sure to be gone in no time.

Interesting that this one ‘appears’ to have what looks like an aftermarket style strap on it, as opposed to the usual dressier Panerai straps. Not sure if its just the prototype photograph or if its the final production strap. They’ve also used a antiqued yellowish lume to give it that aged tritium look.

Here is a photo of the back. $6700 is the price, which is fairly steep for a basic PVD Base Logo.

Among many others.. including IWC, Kobold and Omega. Very cool.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin has been lighting up the WWE stage for years before he retired in 2000, and began collecting watches after his wrestling career took off. His main article is featured in this month’s WatchTime Magazine. Some of the watches in his collection include: IWC Aquatimer, Zenith Defy, Rolex Yachtmaster, Omega Seamaster 300m Chronodiver, Kobold Arctic Diver, IWC Big Pilot and a Breitling Super Avenger Blacksteel. He’s planning to add a Panerai to the collection soon.

I highly recommend the article in WatchTime magazine as he seems like a very cool guy and the article is a good read. I was never a huge wrestling fan, but this is good stuff.

Recently, I find myself more and more drawn to the allure of vintage pieces, but with the reliability of modern movements. That began with my purchase of the Glashutte Original Sixties, and several other watches since including a couple Eternas. Recently I saw the Cuervo Y Sobrinos Historiador, and fell in love again. Too bad it is a brand that is hard to get good discounts on around here, due to its low circulation.

This one is priced fairly affordably at $2900 in stainless steel and $9995 in Rose Gold. That should put its street price well within grasp, possibly even in Rose Gold! This one is a healthy 40mm, which with the fancy long lugs should wear much larger. Unfortunately the movement is a rather stock ETA 2895, with CYS engraved rotor.

Nevertheless, I still very much like the Cuervo Y Sobrinos Historiador!

Time to come clean guys – who among us has a guilty wristwatch pleasure? Be it a closet crush on Invicta Wristwatches or a obsessive-compulsive need to scrub down your watch with simple green every night… I know we all have at least one Guilty pleasure to share.

Ever since I got into watches years ago, I have always wanted to broaden my horizons and allow myself to experience the strangest of watches, with little regard for common sense. I am attracted to watches that many find ugly or over-the-top. No, I’m not talking about the influx of Glam Rock watches that has hit ebay recently, which is no doubt the liquidated stock of many costume-jewelry retailers. I am talking about funky watches like Graham Chronofighters, Mazzuoli Manometros and Corum Bubble’s with Jolly Roger’s on the dials. These are the watches that WIS-types like us pretend to be above, but in reality, I’m not. I harbor closet desires to own and wear these watches! I have to admit it.

Here are a few of the Guilty Pleasure Watches that I have wanted or have already owned:

Just stumbled on this old 2003 article from a fellow named Paul Wolsfeld, who makes a hobby out of Cycling to different Company Head Offices, and trying to get a Tour of the premises along with tours of CEO offices and other such areas. Turns out the fellow went out to Breitling’s head office in 2003, after sending a personal letter to Mr. Theodore Schneider, and was given what he considers a cold welcome by Ms. Valerie Burgat, whom I understand is still the PR Manager.

Click here to see Original Item

Old article, but interesting to hear this… though not entirely surprised. They were probably on the defensive. But you’d think a PR person would be better at keeping things in check. Nowadays I think this would be extremely unlikely as the prominence of the internet has made everyone think twice before embarassing themselves.