BREITLING Colt AUTO 2014

By TLex Breitling has redesigned its Colt collection for 2014. The new Colt’s design harks back to 80s Colt that was purpose-built for the military and so is, once again a more simple and understated watch, but is it any better?

The new Colt comes in a range of four models; two sizes – 3 x 44mm or 1 x 33mm. There are four movements - a C.O.S.C certified automatic mechanical movement or one of three C.O.S.C certified, thermocompensated SuperQuartz calibers, which are said to be ten times more accurate than a standard quartz!



The most noticeable change comes from its new bezel, which features engraved hour-markers and Breitling’s signature four rider tabs, so that it looks just like any other bezel from Breitling’s aeronautic collections. The ergonomically designed 2011 bezel was always a bit of an oddball. So there’s an improvement there.



However, the Colt’s water-resistance has been slashed from a very respectable 500 meters / 300 meters (chrono) to 200 meters across the new 2014 Colt’s entire range – why?! I thought updated collections were supposed to be upgraded not downgraded.



This is the Colt Automatic, which is powered by the Breitling Caliber 17, a C.O.S.C certified automatic mechanical movement with a high-frequency of w28,800 vph, 25 jewels and a calendar.



Its 44mm case is in steel and is water-resistant to 200m (660 ft). It features: a large screwdown crown with side reinforcements, a unidirectional ratcheted rotational divers bezel and a Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides.



The dial with its fine circular raised motif is available in either: Volcano black, Mariner blue or Stratus silver. Straps include: a steel bracelet, a leather band, a rubber Ocean Racer or a rubber Diver Pro/Professional.