I bought, I thought I loved, I sold.
The story of my AT. I thought some might like to know the views of a longish term owner.
About 4 years ago I was a newly appointed consultant. I had always promised myself a nice watch to mark the occasion, I was also an expecting father. With a tightening of purse strings expected, the time was right to take the plunge. My Ball Fireman Racer had got me interested in a slightly higher end piece. My eye was always drawn to the Breitling SOH, but after much research my choice came down to the AT 8500 or GS SBGR051. Both were the correct price point, could be described as everyday wearers and had in-house movements. On a trip to NYC I was able to try on both just a short walk from each other. The AT spoke to me and the bracelet of the GS fell apart when I was trying it on, decision made. I felt the mid-size fitted me better but the 41.5 would be more desirable if I ever wanted to sell. Skyfall Vs opaline was a tough call but I felt the opaline was a touch more clissic and less shiny, opaline won. Interestingly the original order I put in was for the >15000guass version but then I changed to the earlier model, just for the date window, madness eh? But for me the 8500 was the best looking iteration of the AT.
On picking up the watch I was amazed how solid it was and that opinion never changed. I felt I could take this watch anywhere and do anything. It was at home at the beach, office or at a wedding; a really perfect companion in all situations. I would stare at the dial as the opaline would complement the surroundings and time of day, changing from a soft cream to electric silver depending on the conditions. The batons and hands would catch the light in fantastic fashion, almost blindingly. However, I did feel the hands were a little short and the use of lume just a token measure (good luck trying to find the hour hand at night). I also really appreciated the double AR covering, at many angles it was almost as if there was no sapphire at all.
The sapphire at the back was a huge plus for me, allowing inspection of the lovely 8500 movement which is decorated better than it has any reason to be. I only appreciated it more with time. Accuracy for me was a consistent +3 secs, within COSC, can't ask for more. 60 hours of PR was great as I can't wear the watch to work and often I was away for > 24hours. The added PR kept my ETA powered pieces in their box. A fly in the ointment is the ÂŁ400 service charge. Overall for me at the time the 8500 was the best workshorse movement out there.
I'm inclined to buy a watch on bracelet as getting a decent leather strap is cost effective. I was super impressed with the bracelet offered on the AT, giving the watch a very masculine look. It was super comfortable and snagged no hairs. In the summer I would exchange for a leather strap. Despite being such a versatile watch I don't think it suited a rubber or NATO strap.
On versatility, the AT has to be near top of the list, as stated there was very few occasions where I would have been better served with a different watch. This was especially true on holiday. The quick set hour function worked great and was a joy to use. In fact the AT stopped me bringing multiple watches. Having got the 41.5, I always felt the 38.5 would have fitted my small wrists better. And the opaline whilst lovely felt more formal than the blue might have been. Still I rarely felt I made an incorrect choice.
Despite all the positives, the AT was very much a head over heart choice for me. I appreciated all aspects of the watch but for some reason I always questioned whether I really loved it. Roll on Baselworld 2018 and out of the blue came the watch I was looking for but never thought would come. The only way to get it was to flip the AT. It lasted 3 hours on eBay, hopefully going to an owner who will appreciate it as much as I did.
In closing my defining thoughts on the AT are, if you are a one watch guy/gal looking for a do everything watch then the Omega is an excellent proposition with few peers at its price point.
It will be missed.
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Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk
The story of my AT. I thought some might like to know the views of a longish term owner.
About 4 years ago I was a newly appointed consultant. I had always promised myself a nice watch to mark the occasion, I was also an expecting father. With a tightening of purse strings expected, the time was right to take the plunge. My Ball Fireman Racer had got me interested in a slightly higher end piece. My eye was always drawn to the Breitling SOH, but after much research my choice came down to the AT 8500 or GS SBGR051. Both were the correct price point, could be described as everyday wearers and had in-house movements. On a trip to NYC I was able to try on both just a short walk from each other. The AT spoke to me and the bracelet of the GS fell apart when I was trying it on, decision made. I felt the mid-size fitted me better but the 41.5 would be more desirable if I ever wanted to sell. Skyfall Vs opaline was a tough call but I felt the opaline was a touch more clissic and less shiny, opaline won. Interestingly the original order I put in was for the >15000guass version but then I changed to the earlier model, just for the date window, madness eh? But for me the 8500 was the best looking iteration of the AT.
On picking up the watch I was amazed how solid it was and that opinion never changed. I felt I could take this watch anywhere and do anything. It was at home at the beach, office or at a wedding; a really perfect companion in all situations. I would stare at the dial as the opaline would complement the surroundings and time of day, changing from a soft cream to electric silver depending on the conditions. The batons and hands would catch the light in fantastic fashion, almost blindingly. However, I did feel the hands were a little short and the use of lume just a token measure (good luck trying to find the hour hand at night). I also really appreciated the double AR covering, at many angles it was almost as if there was no sapphire at all.
The sapphire at the back was a huge plus for me, allowing inspection of the lovely 8500 movement which is decorated better than it has any reason to be. I only appreciated it more with time. Accuracy for me was a consistent +3 secs, within COSC, can't ask for more. 60 hours of PR was great as I can't wear the watch to work and often I was away for > 24hours. The added PR kept my ETA powered pieces in their box. A fly in the ointment is the ÂŁ400 service charge. Overall for me at the time the 8500 was the best workshorse movement out there.
I'm inclined to buy a watch on bracelet as getting a decent leather strap is cost effective. I was super impressed with the bracelet offered on the AT, giving the watch a very masculine look. It was super comfortable and snagged no hairs. In the summer I would exchange for a leather strap. Despite being such a versatile watch I don't think it suited a rubber or NATO strap.
On versatility, the AT has to be near top of the list, as stated there was very few occasions where I would have been better served with a different watch. This was especially true on holiday. The quick set hour function worked great and was a joy to use. In fact the AT stopped me bringing multiple watches. Having got the 41.5, I always felt the 38.5 would have fitted my small wrists better. And the opaline whilst lovely felt more formal than the blue might have been. Still I rarely felt I made an incorrect choice.
Despite all the positives, the AT was very much a head over heart choice for me. I appreciated all aspects of the watch but for some reason I always questioned whether I really loved it. Roll on Baselworld 2018 and out of the blue came the watch I was looking for but never thought would come. The only way to get it was to flip the AT. It lasted 3 hours on eBay, hopefully going to an owner who will appreciate it as much as I did.
In closing my defining thoughts on the AT are, if you are a one watch guy/gal looking for a do everything watch then the Omega is an excellent proposition with few peers at its price point.
It will be missed.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk
