Looking for the most affordable Breitling watches? We’ve got you covered.
These 8 top picks cover everything from the iconic Navitimer watch to the collectable Breitling Colt watch, as well as some of the Swiss brand’s most desirable dive watches and pilot’s instruments.
Best Affordable Breitling Watches
Here are the best affordable Breitling watches in no particular order.
Breitling Chronomat 41mm Airborne Watch Ref AB01442J/BD26
To kick start this guide to some of the cheapest Breitling watches, the Chronomat 41 Airborne is quite a unique and exclusive model to add to your collection.
The aviation chronograph spans right back to the early 1980s when Ernest Schneider had just purchased the company from Willy Breitling and had been approached by Frecce Tricolori, the Italian air force aerobatics team, who requested an accurate tool for use within the squadron.
The Chronomat, released in 1983, was the first to be fitted with the brand’s in-house chronograph calibre B01.
Today, the Breitling Chronomat 41 Airborne watch can be found on the pre-owned market for around $5,500 and is distinguishable by its 30th-anniversary “Edition Spéciale 30e Anniversaire” lettering engraved upon its caseback.
Its crisp black onyx chronograph dial and satin-brushed bezel also make for an incredibly attractive piece. Meanwhile, the watch’s COSC-certified chronometer delivers a power reserve of 70 hours.
Breitling Chronomat Colt 44 Automatic Watch Ref A17388101B1A1
Firstly, the Breitling Colt was discontinued in 2020, so nowadays it’s a pretty desirable watch to own. This makes the Colt a great choice as an investment piece since fans are eager to own one for themselves. That said, it remains an affordably priced watch.
The first Colt, which was released back in the 1980s, was used by the armed forces and was utilized for its broad unidirectionally rotating sain-brushed bezel, which became easy to manipulate under tough conditions.
This Breitling Chronomat Colt 44 Automatic watch ref A17388101B1A1 is a newer iteration that will measure confidently on the wrist and has been crafted from stainless steel.
Its 200-meter water-resistant case and strong sapphire crystal glass front make its black dial easy to read in dark conditions, especially since its baton indexes and central hands are treated with plenty of luminous material for a rich glow in dark situations.
To finish, this affordable version of the Breitling Chronomat Colt watch is powered by the Calibre 17 and comes complete on a robust steel bracelet.
Breitling Super Avenger II Chronograph Watch Ref A13371111B1A1
With its impressively large case size measuring a diameter of 48mm, the Breitling Super Avenger II Chronograph has a polished steel aesthetic integrated with 300-meter water resistance.
The massive case holds the Breitling Caliber 13 automatic chronograph movement at its center, capable of producing a 48-hour power reserve.
Its screwed-in case with a unidirectional rotating bezel features a screw-locked grown with two gaskets and a strong cambered sapphire crystal glass front with glare-proof treatment applied to both sides.
For an affordable Breitling watch, you also get a state-of-the-art chronograph complication to enjoy. It features a 30-minute counter highlighted in red at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour sub-dial at 6 o’clock, and a central red tipped chronograph seconds hand.
The Breitling Super Avenger II Chronograph watch also features a date window at 3 o’clock.
The Avenger watch has always been a tool for professional pilots and divers, yet it also serves as a solid foundation for any luxury watch collection, making this affordable Breitling watch an ideal option for any Breitling enthusiast.
Breitling Superocean II 42 Ref A17365C91B1S1
Built for those who like plenty of underwater exploration, the Breitling Superocean II 42 watch is a solid and reliable dive tool with a distinct style. The series offers a range of vibrantly coloured bezels and dials, as well as limited edition watches.
This Breitling Superocean II 42 watch is crafted from a solid block of stainless steel and measures a 42mm diameter. Its 500-meter water-resistant capability makes it an excellent choice for snorkeling, swimming, diving and plenty of water sports.
In addition to this, its screw-locked crown with two gaskets helps protect the Caliber 17 automatic-winding movement. There’s also a pressure release valve built into the side of the case at 10 o’clock.
This model features a black dial with the first 15 minutes of dive time highlighted against a black rubber-molded and fluted bezel.
This feature can only rotate in the counterclockwise direction to eradicate the risk of accidentally extending dive time. Large luminous Arabic numeral hour markers are a great addition to this affordable Breitling watch.
Accompanied by an inner 24-hour scale, they join luminous hands and a clear date window at 3 o’clock.
Breitling Aerospace Evo Watch Ref E79363101B1E1
Renowned for its SuperQuartz™ movement, the Breitling Aerospace Evo watch is heir to a legendary design from the mid-1980s and is still reasonably priced, costing around $4000 from new.
The Breitling Aerospace Evo watch ref E79363101B1E1 is once again powered by the thermocompensated quartz, which promises an accuracy that surpasses that of a standard quartz movement by ten times.
What’s more, it offers functions that comprise a 1/100th of a second chronograph, a countdown timer, a second time zone, an alarm, an audible time signal, and a calendar. These are all operated via a crown that can be pulled out and rotated.
A backlight system makes the screen incredibly visible at night, while a 100-meter water-resistant and lightweight titanium case protects the SuperQuartz™ thermocompensated movement from moisture damage and shock impact.
For an asking price under the $5000 mark, you get to enjoy this “inexpensive” Breitling watch on a titanium bracelet that is three times lighter and six times stronger than conventional stainless steel.
Breitling Avenger Automatic 45 Seawolf Night Mission Watch Ref V17319101B1X1
If you’re looking for a sleek and modern Breitling watch under $5000, the Breitling Avenger Automatic 45 Seawolf Night Mission watch is a solid contender.
It deserves plenty of attention with its stealthy black DLC-coated titanium case that is both strong and comfortable on the wrist thanks to its lightweight profile.
The beefy 45mm model is no match for a slender wrist but creates a masculine and aggressive look for those that can carry it off, with its black dial positioned under a convex sapphire crystal glass front.
Its stenciled Arabic numerals mimic the numbers seen on the decks of aircraft carriers and have been treated with luminous material, as have the hands.
Here’s where this affordable Breitling watch becomes a brilliant value proposition because its case promises a staggering 3000-meter water resistance, together with a stylish black calfskin leather band and a black DLC-coated stainless steel buckle stamped with the iconic Breitling logo.
Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Steel Watch Ref A10370161C1X1
If vintage-inspired dive watches are your bag, the Breitling SuperOcean Heritage ’57 watch has you covered. For around the $4000 mark, you can pick up this blue dial model (ref A10370161C1X1), fitted on a retro brown calfskin leather strap.
It’s a solid addition to add to any growing Breitling watch collection this year since its 1950s vibe will never tire on the wrist.
Its ruggedly handsome aesthetic is completed with crisp white baton hour markers, luminous central hands, and a rose gold-coloured Breitling “B” motif – all emblazoned onto a stunning blue sunray dial.
To achieve its laid-back surfer style, reminiscent of the early 1960s, this affordable Breitling watch features a blue ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel with a grooved edging that frames the display’s oversized indices perfectly.
The Breitling Calibre 10 sits within this retro Breitling dive watch, promising a power reserve of 42 hours and a reliability that is authenticated by COSC certification.
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph Watch Ref AB0137241L1P1
How about a Navitimer watch for under $10,000? In fact, how about an affordable Navitimer watch with a striking green and black dial like this reference AB0137241L1P1?
It’s a model from the manufacturer’s current range and it’s also powered by the tried and tested Breitling Calibre B01 movement, which has enjoyed a great run of success throughout the storied Navitimer series.
The model boasts a captivating green dial and black-filled sub-counters, creating a style that can be easily picked out from a crowded room.
It features a 30-minute counter, a 12-hour totaliser, and a central chronograph seconds hand, together with a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock and luminous hands.
More importantly, the watch features Breitling’s redesigned slide rule bezel – an indispensable tool used by pilots for calculating a myriad of air-bound calculations.
The watch still conveys its iconic style from the 1970s and is fitted on a classic-looking black alligator leather strap making this timepiece one of Breitling’s most obtainable investment pieces considering its status in the elite luxury watch-collecting world.
Which One Will You Choose?
Compared to many luxury brands, Breitling watches are “affordable”.
While the least expensive models are those such as the Colt and some of the SuperOcean models, the luxury Swiss watchmaker’s more collectable models are still attainable to a broad scope of fans and enthusiasts.
Surprisingly, even Breitling Navitimer watches can be reasonably priced.
While the lower-priced Breitling watches will only stretch to models crafted from stainless steel and titanium, these timepieces certainly provide you with everything you need in a reliable and functional tool for outdoor pursuits, office duties and travel.
For the more expensive Breitling watches, you can venture towards an 18ct rose gold Navitimer watch or an Aviator 8 watch, as well as instruments powered by the company’s range of in-house movements.
But for a mechanical watch with chronometer certification, you certainly can’t grumble at the quality and features offered in Breitling’s less expensive options.
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