Introduced right before the holidays, Breitling Super Avenger Military Limited Edition (ref. M2233010/BC91-100W) brings to your doors just about everything that you can expect from a contemporary “luxury tactical” timekeeper: it is huge, it is black, and it is powered by a COSC-certified chronometer movement. It is also obscenely expensive.
The Super Avenger Military is inspired by the last year’s Avenger Seawolf Blacksteel Code Yellow three-hander.
Besides the blacked-out body, it also features the same stencil-style Arabic numerals and has its hair-thin central chronograph seconds hand painted bright red that matches in color the “AUTOMATIC” inscription right above the 12-hour chronograph totalizer located at 12 o’clock.
Compared to a normal Super Avenger, the Military edition not only features a new color scheme. It is also equipped with another mechanism that makes possible the 24-hour time representation format and also forces Breitling to re-arrange the three sub-dials in a more traditional way with a small seconds indicator placed at 3 hours and a 30-minute chronograph totalizer moved to 9 o’clock.
Yes, while the ‘normal’ Super Avenger is powered by Caliber B13 automatic movement based on ETA Valjoux 7750 chronograph, this particular version is animated by their Caliber B22, which is, in fact, a rebadged ETA 2892-A2 blank movement modified and adjusted to be officially certified as a chronometer.
Frankly, I would prefer the device to be equipped with their latest Caliber B01 chronograph movement: for a timepiece that commands such a high retail price (Breitling plans to sell this ref. M2233010/BC91-100W model for an impressive $7800 USD), even a COSC-certified version of a run-off-the-mill mechanism, which is produced by the millions and often powers timepieces that are ten times less expensive, is a bit, well, too profit-oriented. You can’t charge so much money just for cool looks and a name on the dial.
Since the body is the same, the watch still makes a strong impression with its gargantuan proportions. Measuring 48 millimeters in diameter and being almost 18 millimeters thick, the watch will certainly look great if you plan to wear it with camo, a black tactical turtleneck, and a Glock in your holster. Jeans and a polo shirt would also be fine, although not as impressive. However, wear it with a business suit and you suddenly discover a world of pain and, probably, water cooler gossip.
Although Breitling calls this model a “limited edition”, it is offered in a run of whole 500 units, so you will probably not have any problem getting one of these even after a year after the model officially goes on sale. Judging by my previous experience with their “limited” versions, you could even be able to buy one from an online retailer.
UPDATE FROM FEB/27/2015: I have just checked and, well, it looks like I was wrong. The timepiece is completely sold out. You still can find a number of these items on sites like eBay and other auctions in pretty mint, almost unworn conditions at a fairly reasonable price, but new old stock items are no longer available.
See also: Breitling Navitimer Blue Sky 60th Anniversary Chronograph
Photos: Breitling
WWR verdict
Originality 4/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
Breitling Super Avenger Military (M2233010/BC91-100W) specification
Price: $7800 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber B22 (base ETA 2892-A2), COSC-certified chronometer, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 38
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Case: Black steel
Shape: Round
Size: 48.00 mm
Case height: 17.75 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic, 24-hour military format
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Black NATO-style textile military strap with dark-grey stitching
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: Solid