Breitling Colt

Originally conceived as a military-inspired model, the Colt was designed with robust features to meet the needs of professionals in demanding environments, such as aviators and soldiers. Over the decades, it has evolved from a purely utilitarian watch into a more accessible line that maintains its roots in reliability and strength, while appealing to a broader audience. Breitling's distinctive features, such as the bold, unidirectional rotating bezel with four rider tabs, set the Colt apart from other models. These rider tabs offer better grip, making it easier to manipulate the bezel, even in challenging conditions. While maintaining the core attributes that made it a popular choice for professionals, it has adapted to meet the needs of modern wearers, offering a range of movements, materials, and styles.

Design And Iterations

From its inception, the Breitling Colt collection has been designed with functionality in mind, yet the aesthetics have never been overlooked. The broad unidirectional bezel, which is both practical and visually striking, defines Colt’s design. In the 2014 revamp of the Colt collection, Breitling introduced several new models, including the Colt Quartz, Colt Lady, and Colt Automatic, all designed to reflect the essence of the original military timepiece while incorporating modern advancements. The Colt 2014 collection also brought forth the introduction of the SuperQuartz movement, known for its precision and tenfold accuracy compared to standard quartz movements.

The new iterations paid homage to Colt’s military heritage, with design elements like the 24-hour scale, aviator-style dial, and broad, unidirectional bezel featuring engraved notches and raised cursors. These cursors, which improve grip for ease of use, have become a signature of Breitling watches. The Colt Automatic, in particular, was a direct descendant of the Colt Superocean, which had been a part of the collection in the 1990s, featuring screw-down crown protectors and bold Arabic numerals. For those who prefer mechanical movements, the Colt collection also offered a mechanical version powered by the ETA calibre 2824. Meanwhile, the Colt Chronograph Automatic houses the calibre B13 adding even greater accuracy and a chronograph complication for those seeking extra functionality. The addition of these movements ensured that the Colt collection could cater to a wide variety of tastes, whether it be the precision of quartz or the reliability of mechanical calibres.