Breitling Avenger Skyland Blacksteel ----------------------------------------------------------------------- When Breitling released its Chrono Avenger in titanium in 1999, the “bigger is better” mindset was just beginning to take root. At 44 millimeters, the Chrono Avenger put off a few clients initially. However, it wasn’t long before men would put it on, feel its weight (30% lighter than steel), and be won over.

Breitling Avenger Skyland Blacksteel After eight years, Breitling has decided to retire the titanium model in favor of a 45 millimeter steel version called the Avenger Skyland. Breitling has found that many of its loyalists are fond not only of size but of weight. Simultaneous to the release of the new watch is a limited edition black steel version that has already received rave reviews by those who beheld the prototypes while in Basel, and by those few lucky enough to have seen one in a shop window.

One of the striking features of the watch is the white stencil numerals lying on the dial just below the oversized white hands. Time read-off is crisp and instant. Being first and foremost a maker of chronographs, Breitling has equipped the Avenger Skyland Blacksteel with Breitling’s Caliber 13, a.k.a.: the ValJoux 7750, one of the industry’s most competent workhorses. To make the subdials more discernible, Breitling chose red hands for the 30-minute, 60-second continuous sweep and 12-hour totalizers, along with the tip of the chronograph’s 60-seconds counter.� Ample amounts of Super-LumiNova guarantee good legibility at night.

Breitling chose not to offer a bracelet for this model, but instead mounted the head on a Breitling’s Diver Pro rubber strap - the only strap devoid of Breitling’s signature white stitching (which this author thinks would look pretty sharp with the white numerals - or, better yet, a black strap with red stitch).

Endowing the Avenger Skyland Blacksteel with 1,000 feet of water resistance ensures that a diver can comfortably take this model to any reasonable depth. Lastly, as with all Breitlings, a thick sapphire crystal is coated on both sides with an anti-reflective coating, making the dial very easy to read, no matter the lighting conditions.