Breitling released the latest Colt Skyracer at Baselworld 2017. The watch is fit with a stealth black case, made from a newly minted material named Breitlight®. Priced at US$2000, the watch boasts functionality with a unique tool watch characteristic that is highly attractive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=74&v=jQG-oa0C0xA
The Case
The Breitlight® case is sized at 45 mm in diameter with a thickness of 13.15 mm. Congruent to the other watch lines from the brand, like the Seawolf, and Superocean, the watch is sized on the large side, with a classic sports watch configuration. The Breitling Colt Skyracer uses a diver style minutes bezel with lume marker at 12. The black case while made with a unique concoction looks similar to DLC or carbon type cases, think forged carbon but with less distinct fibres. The crown top and strap is made from rubber which further contributes to the watch’s “diver”, rugged aesthetic. Some may at this point exclaim how the elements closely resemble a Luminox.
It is noteworthy however, to recognize the lightness and strength of the Breitlight® case. The Breitlight® material is said to be 3 times lighter than titanium and significantly more resistant to scratches and wear than stainless steel. The watch is also fit with double sided anti-reflective sapphire crystal and a unidirectional ratcheted bezel.
The Breitling Colt Skyracer.
The dial and hands
The Breitling Colt Skyracer dial has a matte black finish marked by large Arabic numeral hour markers. The strong contrast throws light to the time display and heightens legibility despite the cluster of words and numerals on the dial centre. Painted on the dial, the large hour numerals are also finished with a slight shadow effect, to add an additional depth of focus to the numerals.
The dial is highly legible despite the clutter on the dial; in part due to the strong contrast on the hour markers and hands against the matte black dial.
At the periphery lies a railroad track minute marker with a corresponding chapter ring minutes subtitle. While highly unnecessary, especially for military or tool watch lovers, the dial is also fit with 24 hour time equivalents, to aid the reader in easy interpretation of the analog display using a 24 hour scale. Those who use 24 hour time, may already be find reading an analog display in 24 hours instinctive to begin with. Less clutter on the dial could have been more desirable.
The watch is fit with a easily detached strap, through a unique sleeve and quick release system. For whatever reason someone might find this useful, we do not know, perhaps for some intimate measurements.
The Breitling Colt Skyracer uses a closed caseback with engraved emblem and wording. As stated, the watch is water resistant to 100m.
The movement
The watch uses the caliber Breitling 74. Unlike the common run off the mill ronda quartz movements, this Caliber uses a far more advanced design and posses highly accurate results. While the common quartz movements have an accuracy of approximately 15 seconds a month, the SuperQuartz™, thermocompensated quartz electronic, EOL indicator movement has a record of a 10 second deviation per year. As expected, the accuracy of the timepiece is well within COSC standards and has a battery life of about 8 years. This makes the watch highly suitable for a user who really needs a tool watch, with accurate timekeeping over a long period of time.
Concluding thoughts
The Breitling Colt Skyracer is a fun sports timepiece, with a convoluted heritage. The watch looks like a diver’s watch but is marketed as a Pilot’s timepiece. It is fun nonetheless, with superior build quality, and finish, an interesting case material but then again, there’s nothing absolutely incredible about it either. Perhaps, the watch maybe for some a step up from the Luminox or Gshocks, especially those in the military or related agencies who wouldn’t mind roughing it out with a US$2000 timepiece.
Specifications
Caliber Breitling 74
Movement SuperQuartz™, thermocompensated quartz electronic, EOL indicator
Calendar Dial aperture
Case Breitlight®
Back With screws
Battery type/life CR2016/8 years
Water resistance 100 m (330 ft)
Bezel Unidirectional, ratcheted
Crown Screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal Sapphire, glareproofed both sides
Diameter 45.00 mm
Thickness 13.15 mm
Strap Rubber Skyracer
Interhorn width 22/20 mm
2 Comments
Bought a colt sky racer. The detachable bracelet failed within a month of light use. The attachment points are just too light leading to cracks and tares in the rubber.
Looks like a luminox. No doubt.