Icon renewed

With a trio of new launches, Swiss watchmaker Breitling reinvents a ’50s legend with added oomph

Watches & Jewellery 25 May 2023

Breitling's new Classic AVI pilot's watches

Breitling's new Classic AVI pilot's watches

When leading watchmaker Breitling unveiled its Co-Pilot chronograph in 1953 with the Ref. 765 AVI, it revolutionised the aviation industry. Not only were its Arabic numerals bold and highly legible, but an engraved rotating bezel meant pilots could access an instant reading of long elapsed time, in addition to a second time-zone indicator. Today, the Swiss brand pays homage to this watchmaking icon with three new models – each with unique references to the classic original.

Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang
Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang

Kicking off the trio of launches is the new Classic AVI, a rugged yet versatile timepiece. ‘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,’ says Breitling CEO Georges Kern, of the slimming-down of the Super AVI, a line first unveiled in 2021 to honour four of history’s most significant aircraft: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito. ‘The Classic AVI trades some functions to achieve the pared-down format our customers have been asking for.’

Four of history's most significant aircraft: the Vought F4U Corsair (top left), the P-51 Mustang (top right), the de Havilland Mosquito (bottom left), and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (bottom right)
Four of history’s most significant aircraft: the Vought F4U Corsair (top left), the P-51 Mustang (top right), the de Havilland Mosquito (bottom left), and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (bottom right)

Subtle nods to these iconic feats of engineering highlight the new 42mm Classic AVI: colours from the planes’ roundels and markings add pop hues to the hands and subdials; meanwhile, their silhouettes are engraved on the caseback in stainless steel with an additional red gold version of the Mustang. And, beating within? Breitling’s signature Calibre 23 chronograph movement.

Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 Curtiss Warhawk
Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 Curtiss Warhawk

Following this, a new Super AVI Mosquito Night Fighter, a stealthily understated timepiece dressed in monochrome. With design cues that nod to the Night Fighter 2, an all-black two-seater aircraft adapted for use during the thick of night, the new model is a sleek full-black ceramic watch embellished with contrast titanium hardware and a black dial, presented on a matching military leather strap.

Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1964 Re-edition
Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1964 Re-edition

To the delight of watch fanatics and mega-collectors, to round out this latest launch, Breitling has revived a rare 1964 AVI Co-Pilot in a highly limited run of just 164 pieces. The coveted re-edition faithfully recreates signature details of the 1964 design, such as its true-to-the-time hesalite crystal, baton indexes and pencil hands. Beyond this are modern touches, including a black bezel coated in durable amorphous diamond-like carbon and a subtle caseback engraving that reads, “One of 164.”

Breitling pays homage to its 1953 Co-Pilot Chronograph with these new models
Breitling pays homage to its 1953 Co-Pilot Chronograph with these new models

‘Everything about this re-edition is so Breitling because you can see our aviation tool-watch roots coming through, yet it’s precisely that simplicity that gives it its universal appeal,’ says Kern. ‘That’s also why the AVI, in all its forms, has stood the test of time to become one of our most emblematic collections.’

From £4,950; breitling.com