For 2014, Breitling quietly releases a tweaked collection of Colt watches in four versions that include a women’s model, a chronograph, and two three-handers. If you don’t know, the Colt has been one of Breitling’s most entry-level models representing an accessible way of getting into the brand’s military-inspired sport watch theme. These new Breitling Colt watches have more Breitling DNA than ever, and there are some things to consider when looking at the new collection. I especially want to discuss the important topic of high-end quartz watches. This is especially after the also recent announcement of Breitling’s even higher-end Cockpit B50 quartz-based watches aBlogtoWatch covered here.
Often times watch lovers accuse Breitling watches are looking too similar to one another. True enough, it often requires a particular expertise to distinguish one Breitling watch from another – but of course that doesn’t apply to all models. If anything, Breitling has banked on that fact with the Colt, as it incorporates so many elements of Breitling design DNA into a single basic design. This is a significant change from the previous generation Breitling Colt collection that attempted to be a bit more edgy and modern. For the 2104 Breitling Colt watches, Breitling has certainly returned to what has helped make the company so popular.
So what are some of these highly distinctive “Breitling DNA” elements that are so visible in the Breitling Colt? First is the quickly identified Breitling rotating bezel that can’t be confused with anything else. The case and pushers (especially done in a high polish) are very much part of the Breitling family, and so is the distinctive style of hands and hour markers, as well as the dials over all. Completing the “Breitling DNA” package is the available “Professional III” style metal bracelet with its slightly angled links. So again, while most people will not easily be able to identify these models as being Colts, they will unequivocally be noticed as Breitling watches.
Breitling offers three dial colors for each of the new Breitling Colt collection watches that consists of Volcano Black, Mariner Blue, and Stratus Silver. Versions such as the Breitling Colt Chronograph mix these colors in the chronograph subdials. The black-dialed Breitling Colt watches will likely once again be the most popular versions for consumers, but the blue and silvery white dials should not be overlooked.
The 2014 Breitling Colt watches come in a nicely sized 44mm wide case, which is a nice middle ground for most people. Breitling designs often look best in larger cases, but Breitling does have a tendency to produce some watches which are truly too large for some wrists. There is nothing wrong with that, but at 44mm wide in steel, the Breitling Colt will look good on the widest possible selection of wrists.
Breitling mixes and matches both polished and brushed surfaces on the metal, but as is their norm, much of the Colt case itself is in polished steel. Over the dial is a domed AR-coated (on both sides) sapphire crystal and the cases are water resistant to 200 meters – which is probably good enough for most consumers. There is a functional simplicity to the dials which are certainly busy enough to qualify as being in the Breitling family, but they aren’t overly messy. The Breitling Colt watch dials have pretty good contrast and a lot of lume on the hands and hour markers, which make them feel like very functional tool-style watches.
