The 2010 Breitling Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel is the world’s first chronograph that was built to operate at depths up to 1000 meters if need be. Delivered in an imposing carbon-reinforced stainless steel case, the new ahem technically limited edition timekeeper justifies its impressive price with bold styling and one of the most accurate quartz mechanisms out there. After all, there are not so many divers that are officially certified as chronometers.
Designed to withstand the enormous pressure of salty water, the Avenger Seawolf features not only thick glare-proof sapphire crystal that must protect the mechanism even if you find yourself really deep underwater (hopefully, not wearing the proverbial concrete shoes, but that’s a bad joke, sorry) but also has its heroically proportioned 45.4 mm stainless steel case subjected to carbon diffusion treatment forming in a thick layer of highly carbonized steel making it both more menacing and more scratch-resistant.
(By the way, a rival Swiss brand did the same thing with their new Montblanc Timewalker Dual Carbon 105805 Chronograph, so I hope that we will soon see a whole new bunch of timepieces from all sorts of manufacturers, even from those who operate within reasonably low price range.)
Of course, all these waterproofing measures would be useless for its chronograph function, since there is no feasible way to create watertight chronograph push-pieces that could be operated underwater, especially at 3330 feet below sea level, is there?
Well, Breitling’s engineers found a way to do so without compromising the SuperQuartz movement’s safety. To achieve the target, they put the caliber in a watertight chamber and employed a magnetic push-piece system so that one can operate the chronograph without any actual contact with the movement.
Although I doubt that you will even need to use the Chrono below sea level, it would still be nice to brag about looking at your friends trying not to forget to screw down their push-pieces before going underwater.
Of course, the movement is not completely isolated from the environment, since there is a screw-down winding crown and the helium escape valve (HEV), but, again, you can use the Chrono and do it without any risk of damaging the system.
According to the company, SuperQuartz movement that Breitling uses in several of its models, including the gorgeous Airwolf Raven, is about 10 times more accurate than standard quartz movements and is capable of running for 2-3 years before the original battery will run off its juice.
Unfortunately, Breitling decided to make the Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel a limited-edition model with a total production run limited to 2000 pieces.
Photos: Breitling
Breitling Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel specification
Price: $5600
Movement: Caliber 73, SuperQuartz, based on ETA Thermoline 251.232, quartz, COSC-certified, Swiss Made
Complications: Date, magnetically operated chronograph
Power reserve: 24-36 months
Case: Carbon-reinforced stainless steel
Shape: Round
Transparent back: No, solid, engraved
Size: 45.40 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel, white
Strap: Black vulcanized rubber
Crystal: Sapphire, double AR-coated
Water resistance: 1000 meters