Wristwatch
Have you considered Rolex?
I appreciate slightly more expensive than Brietling, but hold their value well when selling. Check out used prices offered by phoning Bond Street and pretending you have a Brietling, an Omega and a Rolex for sale...)
After all, a wristwatch is not for life, we change our bikes every few years etc... The GMT 2 has a second hour hand, useful when on holiday, as opposed to the Submariner....
The Explorer 2 has the same function. Both are similar in price and obviously need no batteries!
The coloured bezels can be changed by your local Horologist, so if you bought the GMT, one can effectively have a different looking watch every so often! I did! They are also inexpensive (the bezel) at about £20 each.
I have no problems fitting it under my Heine Gerricke top, I guess very wrist tight leathers may be a problem...
I've found the build quality very good... An old friend of mine touched his boat propeller (while running) with his left wrist and although it scratched his S/Steel strap, he kept his hand!
Treat yourself to one....
The only problem you'll find is that you're wife will want one next!!!
Good luck