Hi Mark,
The Datora's case is highly polished stainless steel. When I later acquired my 11630MH Autavia, I too realized that the brushed finish on the Autavia was a much better look for the case than the Breitling's choice of a mirror like finish. The Autavia is a much more substantial watch than the Breitling both in size and overall finishing details including the bezel, bezel insert and dial. As a result, I'm afraid the Datora gets very little wrist time!

Just for fun, here's a Breitling Navitimer that will probably be way too busy for your tastes, Mark. I bought it on e-bay a few years ago because I got a really good deal (second chance offer due to two non-paying bidders) and because I loved the Canadian Snowbirds emblem on the dial. It was a limited edition from about 1995. At the same time they also made a similar version with luminous stick indices (as on the Datora) instead of the big Arabic numbers, with the blue Patrouille Suisse emblem on the dial. That watch has a much cleaner, simpler looking dial which I really like. Alas, they go for more than I'm willing to pay.

: I quite like the dial actually Stephen, though I'd prefer white
: registers to silver - I think silver always comes across a bit
: cheap, something I've thought when TAG-Heuer used it on some of
: their chronos. The case is a different matter, not so keen on
: that - is it highly polished steel or chromed base metal? Looks
: a bit too shiny, takes attention away from the dial which is a
: cardinal sin for a tool watch.

: I do like the occasional Breitling, but not many - I think they
: probably reflect Willy Breitling's exuberance during the same
: period as Heuer's golden years and I prefer Jack Heuer's
: restraint!