Take to the Skies with the New Breitling AVI Chronograph Collection

We are almost in the middle of 2023 and Breitling has done what it does best — create an entirely new collection inspired by the masters of aviation. So, hit the pedal, step on the gas and celebrate the new AVI Chronograph series that commemorates Breitling’s rich association with aviation. The new Co-Pilot collection also honours legendary WWII aircraft, namely  P-51 Mustang, Vought F4U Corsair, Curtiss Warhawk, de Havilland Mosquito and Mosquito Night Fighter. The timepiece maker has also launched a re-edition of the 1964 variant of the AVI Co-Pilot.

As Georges Kern, CEO, Breitling, puts it in a statement, “People love the sturdy, understated look of the Super AVI, but not everyone has the wrist to pull off the extra-large size that gives it its authentic tool-watch feel.” 

He adds, “The Classic AVI trades some functions to achieve the pared-down format our customers have been asking for. The Classic and Super models will now live side by side, providing more choice.”

So, here are the details of the watches on offer.

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‍CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 P-51 MUSTANG

The collection pays homage to the legendary P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft. The 42 mm watches are presented in two distinct variations — in stainless steel cases and in 18ct red gold cases (Ref.A233803A1B1A1 or A233803A1B1X1). Each of the two models comes with a black dial, a gold-brown leather strap, a black leather strap, a five-row stainless steel bracelet and an 18 ct red gold five-row bracelet with a butterfly clasp.

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CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 TRIBUTE TO VOUGHT F4U CORSAIR

The timepiece (Ref. A233801A1C1A1 or A233801A1C1X1) honours the fierce F4U Corsair fighter planes that helped Allied naval aviators during World War II. The watch comes in a 42 mm stainless steel case with a blue dial and tone-on-tone chronograph counters. This model is finished on a black pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with a folding buckle or on a five-row stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp.

CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 CURTISS WARHAWK

This timepiece is an ode to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the American single-engined, single-seat, all-metal pursuit fighter plane. The watch (Ref. A233801A1C1A1 or A233801A1C1X1) maintains the signature green dial, white counters and red accents. This model is finished on a brown pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with a folding buckle or on a five-row stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp.

CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 MOSQUITO

Honouring the twin-engine bomber aircraft is the de Havilland Mosquito (Ref. Y233801A1B1A1 or Y233801A1B1X1). This 42 mm stainless steel watch gets a black ceramic bezel and a black dial with white contrasting chronograph counters sporting red hands and red counters for the 30-minute subdial. Finishing the watch is the brown pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with a folding buckle. Or you can opt for a five-row stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp.

All timepieces mentioned above are powered by the Breitling Caliber 23, an automatic self-winding mechanical movement with 48 hours of power reserve. The COSC-certified movement is based on ETA Valjoux 7753. Turning over each of the aforementioned watches showcases a closed caseback made of the same material as the case.

SUPER AVI B04 CHRONOGRAPH GMT 46 MOSQUITO NIGHT FIGHTER

Drawing inspiration from Night Fighter 2, an all black-aircraft, the watch (Ref.SB04451A1B1X1) seems to be in full stealth mode. It comes in a much bolder 46 mm black ceramic case,  with a black dial and blue counters. The monochromatic look extends to the crown and the two chronograph pushers. The knurled bezel enhances the dark theme of the watch. This model comes with a date window at 6 o’clock while the inner bezel provides a second time zone. This model gets the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04 movement with 70 hours of power reserve.

The model also has a sapphire crystal caseback with a bidirectional oscillating weight. Finishing this watch is the black military calfskin leather strap with a titanium folding clasp.

AVI REF. 765 1964 RE-EDITION

Released as a 164-piece limited edition (Ref.AB09451A1B1X1), this panda-dialled watch gets a black dial with white counters. The bezel gets its ‘darkness’ from amorphous diamond-like carbon (ADLC) coating. Powering the watch is the Caliber B09, a self-winding movement with 70 hours of power reserve.

Turning the watch over reveals the closed steel caseback with the engraving of the individual watch number. This variant is finished on a black vintage-inspired leather strap with a pin buckle.

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