Breitling Avenger Nightmission GMT: NSOW Critique

[@SuperNkta]

Thank you for your critique of the Breitling. Much appreciate that you pointed out some of the shortcomings. Reviewers sometimes don’t do that to get favors from manufacturers.

[@AnselmClinard]

I’m strongly considering this watch on the second hand market. I found this review refreshing, insightful and honest. I saw the length and hesitated for moment, but it was totally worth my time. Well done. I look forward to finding more content from you. The pace, perspective and comprehensiveness of the review was super helpful. Are you still loving this piece? Form and fiction is such a truism. I’m always captivated by the narrative as an expression of function. In a modern era, this type of function is perfunctory and anachronistic, but a mechanical watch always feels like a a machine that is alive and connected to me and the narrative takes it next level. Luxury adventurer. Ha!

[@PeterBleck-x9d]

Verry interesting thoughts and views of a watch. I just bought the avenger nightmission 45. Absolute love it. Peter from germany

[@Thomas_Burnett]

I’m a massive fan of the Breitling Avenger Night Mission GMT. I love the way that Breitling says about the watch, “It’s specific Arabic numerals recall the stenciled numbers used on the decks of aircraft carriers”. That makes the dial seem even more funky! It really is a great watch and the DLC coated Titanium case looks nice and rugged. Like you said, it’s ready for Land, Sea or Air. I have seen a Limited Edition Khaki Green version that looks just beautiful but, yours is a beauty too Pete. Enjoy it my friend ✊

[@andrew_owens7680]

I used to be an artist and had the honor of having Roy Lichtenstein review my work. He took exactly your approach - what is the artist trying to do? You can't see that from a single piece. Sometimes as in the prints of Goya, the artist isn't striving to be pretty, but to communicate something deeper. Appreciating what that is can cause you to respect a work that you may not personally find pleasing. That is the essence of art criticism, opening your mind to another way of thinking. Cheers.

[@kamelthorn]

Great rounded review!

[@greggoode3450]

Another subscriber! I appreciate your intuitions about legibility and form/fiction. Also like your attention to the psychological aspects of design esthetics and ergonomics. Commentators rarely discuss these things, and it’s sort of how I look at watches as well.

[@bergerac8659]

Great down to earth review, just taken ownership of this model and loving it. Super light and functional piece, classic Breitling wysiwyg.

[@mitchbloemberg7321]

This is brilliant! Youve gained a new subscriber!

[@johannesheilmeier82]

Dear Pete, Thanks a lot for this great video. Breitling has just released the new series of Avengers (which I dislike) and are discontinuing this model. I eye with buying it, though I have already a Breitling. Would you buy this piece again? Have you since regretted your purchase? Regards, J

[@davidg4536]

You understand & have taught me some great watch design concepts. I’m considering an fxd. Its adherence to its history is very appealing. Updated, but connected. I’ll need to learn more about this one.

[@scottlalonde2878]

Great review, thank you 🙂👍. Was thinking when I saw that white date wheel oh man might look better cream like the markers. Also, agree on not luming the numbers. Same with my ss chrono gmt, would make night legibility much better. But that's it: beautiful watch you have there. Oh! Also, have to disagree with Breitling moving in the "Instruments for Professionals" direction. If anything, they have been moving AWAY from that since the start of the Kerns era, which to me is unfortunate.

[@MrChickster12]

Love your approach, fair play!

[@airportworker_fra]

I really like the looks of this watch. You have done a superb review. And I very much like your attitude of collecting watches.

[@PeteMcConvillWatches]

Thank you kindly!

[@911_dan2]

One of my favs in your collection

[@PeteMcConvillWatches]

Cheers, thanks Daniel.

[@richtubby5022]

This was an excellent critique and I agree with the approach you have taken. Reviews generally lack the depth, rather focusing on price and comparison. Thank you

[@michaelriera6277]

Great analysis. Love the Breitling bezel and the 4 rider tabs. Unique and functional , very purposeful watch. Unfortunately too big for my scrawny wrist.

[@nathanfields9658]

Great critique mate - was just wondering what the name of that black strap is ?

[@h111551]

I greatly respect the attention you are paying to horological design iconography. I think that a command of design iconography is the secret of brand success. We experience a watch with our eyes first and this means that technical specifications, while important, generally are secondary in terms of how we gravitate to one reference or another. For example, Piaget was the long time master of the thin movement but when Bulgari combined a thin movement with new design iconography in the form of the Octo Finnissimo references, Bulgari blew out Piaget.

[@PeteMcConvillWatches]

Thanks and agree. I think talking about design, look, intention is hard - doing these reviews is difficult. Still I believe its the best way of understanding a watch.

[@renesten2980]

Bought mine 6 months ago and love it. Mine has the sand coloured wrist strap, I’ve taken diving a couple of times but I’m concerned about leather deteriorating. What would you recommend as a replacement?

[@PeteMcConvillWatches]

I've got the sand coloured strap too. 1. I wouldnt be too worried about the Breitling Strap - my experience they last forever. but having said that I've replaced mine a couple of times because after all they are just accessories and why not? 2. I've had three straps on this and enjoyed them all - currently running a sand coloured NATO - the watch is so light it works great on a NATO and thin enough you can pick between single and double pass. 3. The other straps I've used are a black tropic rubber and a black sail cloth - both worked well but just preferring the light weight of the NATO now.

[@jpl19831868]

The sand color strap that cones on the watch is terrible. It has some type of coating on it that peels off. I’ve replaced it twice in 3 months. Big miss in design/quality in my opinion

[@SniperMan5858]

Fml. Im trekking through patagonia this year. Now i have to buy it 🙄

[@markusf6964]

The lumen on the number is awe-full looking with the black strap. The contrast is a lot better with the original sand toned strap. The usage of 3 different places of number rings on the watch drives my crazy. The watch (dial, rehaut, bezel) just looks tooo busy. If they would have used the color scheme from the chrono (white lumen, yellow numbers rehaut, yellow GMT hand) then this would have been a great watch. I can appreciate the size and the bezel for pilots use, but the watch just looks OK with the original strap.

[@PeteMcConvillWatches]

I understand your point on the business - I think this is one of those times where I think/like that 'form follows fiction'. The 'story' of a watch like this is that it will be a bit busy, there will be a mass of information. A minimalist 'adventure watch' isnt an adventure watch - it might still be nice, even better, looking but it doesnt fit the brief. On the strap I come and go - I like both, you'll see from the photos I've experiemented. What doesnt come through the video is the feel - this watch feels right on rubber. Havent got a NATO that suits it yet - thats next.

[@markwheeler4417]

Interesting take. The form and fiction idea works well. Is this a watch for me? No. With my smaller wrist it is just too big. I don't think I'd be in the market for one even if it was 42mm though. It has some good ideas and the easy grip bezel is one of them. I'm not a fan of arabics on a dial and I prefer white lume. You called the lume colour "sand" but it is a small step from sand to old radium/fauxtina. A very small step in this case. I don't mind the GMT function from the ETA. There are pluses and minuses to this type of GMT and the "true" GMT with an independent hour hand. At the price point this is acceptable. If it was a penny more it would need the alternative GMT functionality. Another fine line they're walking. There are always compromises in design and Breitling have managed them well. The apparent design brief of a rugged, dependable, military-style watch has been well met. My aesthetic criteria even for a watch of this type are different. Enjoy the watch and keep coming up with great content. Cheers.

[@PeteMcConvillWatches]

I have an issue with how people use the term fauxtina - the clue is in the name. Fauxtina is false aging, since this watch is obviously contemporary associating the colour with 'fauxtina' makes zero sense. Id say you cant put fauxtina on DLC as the DLC clearly makes the watch new. I dont mind the 'tracker' style GMT - personally I use it far more. However, I still think it misses the brief for the watch.

[@markwheeler4417]

@@PeteMcConvillWatches I don't mind, and in fact quite like tracker style GMTs. They are much easier to set up than a true GMT especially if the watch hasn't been worn for a while. Two of my three GMTs use the trcker GMT function and I'm very happy with them. My "objections" to old radium or sand coloured lume is that it is overdone, it's a lazy design choice, if you prefer. I do own two watches with it and it can look very good in the right place but almost all of my lumed watches don't use it. This is an aesthetic and functional choice on my part. Adding a non-functional pigment to the lume paint reduces its efficiency for its primary function even when well choosen. I think you're definition of fauxtina is much stricter than that used by most people. Is it more correct? Hard to say but this sort of lume colour seems to be used to imply age in a new watch. To me that's what Breitling are implying by not using a "white" lume here. I suspect we will continue to disagree on that point. That's most of the fun. Thanks for the great content.

[@DavidDuVivier]

I've had (and loved) my Breitling Superocean for over 20 years now and would move to this watch if (a) Breitling had gotten rid of the date window (which is useless - these days you get your date from other sources or devices) and (b) Breitling had really focused on what matters: Toughness, and above everything else: Accuracy. I.e. not just COSC but also METAS certification. No need to fiddle with the crown if your watch is accurate to 0 seconds deviation per day. Also: It would be nice if Breitling offered a dedicated titanium bracelet (which allows one, in effect, to wear the watch 24/7 and virtually NEVER take it off... only once in a while, to see what one's skin on one's wrist still looks like). So, sadly, I'm probably going to pass on this model... even though it's time for me to replace my Superocean. Looking at an OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep. 6000 meter... but I really hate NATO straps!

[@seyerus]

If only Breitling did everything that YOU wanted 🤷‍♂️ Stuff everyone else eh.

[@DavidDuVivier]

@@seyerus Actually, Breitling DID do everything I wanted: They completed a truly fantastic repair & total overhaul of my 25-year old Superocean, I picked it up in Zürich last week, and it's just like new. So yes: Stuff everyone else eh🤣

[@seyerus]

@@DavidDuVivier The ‘get rid of the date window’ because you don’t want it. Absolute classic mate pure, distilled chodness right there.🤡

[@einsaan]

There's nothing to hate about this watch if you understand this is not your typical luxury watch meant to just show-off and provide a false sense of wealthy financial status to the chicks. This is a professional tool watch meant for professionals and no shit go getters and doers. Makes those Rolex, Patek Philip, AP and the rest of the crowed look like total idiots and amateurs.

[@PeteMcConvillWatches]

thanks - however, there's no need to disparage other forms of luxury travel watches - they have a place, just a different place.

[@Dark_Templar_21]

4000 usd and the can t match the date window color with the dial...

[@seyerus]

Main thing is, you’re not picky to the point of being insufferable 😂

[@iddrumco]

I LIKE THIS DUDE!!! 😉👍🏻🫡

[@bigblue7091]

Not a Quibble with Breitling, this Piece looks Great ".. Very Good Review 🤠 🦘💨💨💨