Breitling’s latest pilot’s watch just got a lot more accessible with the new Classic AVI variations taking their design codes from the 46mm Super AVI into a 42mm format.
The 42 mm Classic AVI puts a universal spin on the rugged aviator’s chronograph inspired by the original 1953 Ref. 765 AVI Co-Pilot and four legendary planes. In addition, the 46 mm Super AVI models includes a new addition with the introduction of the black ceramic Mosquito Night Fighter. There is also a surprise for collectors with an extremely limited re-edition of a 1964 execution of the AVI Co-Pilot, reviving a classic sporting watch.
In 1953, Breitling introduced a novel flight instrument, the Ref. 765 AVI, a pilot’s chronograph with a rotating 12-hour bezel for recording flight times. The easy-to-operate, highly legible watch proved such an indispensable tool for aviators that it was quickly rebranded the AVI ‘Co-Pilot’. In 2021, that pioneering pilot’s watch became the inspiration for the Super AVI, a collection of burly 46 mm timepieces that honoured four of history’s greatest aircraft: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito.
“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. 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.”
Georges Kern, CEO, Breitling
The colour schemes dedicated to the four legendary aircraft are unchanged, with the colours from the aircraft’s roundels and markings add bright touches to the hands and sub-dials. The planes’ engraved silhouettes appear on the back of the cases, which come in stainless steel for all models, with an additional 18K red gold version of the Mustang. All can be worn on a choice of top-stitched calfskin leather strap or five-row metal bracelet.
Mighty and monochrome: The Super AVI Mosquito Night Fighter
MOSQUITO NIGHT FIGHTER
In an era when aluminium and steel shortages were common, the engineers behind the de Havilland Mosquito made use of a still plentiful material: wood. Affectionately known as the ‘Wooden Wonder’, it caused shockwaves when it outperformed its metal contemporaries to become one of the fastest planes built between 1940 and 1950.
This watch pays tribute to the plane’s dark livery with a black ceramic case, black military leather strap, and black dial with anthracite subdials. The overall monochrome appearance contrasts strikingly with the titanium pushers, crown, and buckle. As with all Super AVI, the distinctive design includes large, highly legible Arabic numerals and a sturdy case measuring 46 mm. Its knurled bezel and fluted crown provide optimal grip, even while wearing gloves. The engine of the Super AVI is the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04 movement, which provides approximately 70 hours of power. The movement is visible through the open titanium caseback, etched with the Night Fighter’s outline.
A living legend: The Ref. 765 AVI 1964 Re-Edition
First released in 1953, the original Ref. 765 AVI, dubbed the ‘Co-Pilot’, was a workhorse timepiece designed to serve pilots in the often unforgiving conditions of a single-seat cockpit. Its size, legibility, and ease of use made it a trusted flight instrument.
One particular 765 AVI from 1964, with a black bezel and reverse-panda dial, was a favourite of celebrities and sports stars – this watch is the subject of an extremely limited re-edition. Each of the 164 pieces faithfully reproduces this execution’s design. It includes a hesalite crystal, as well as the baton indexes and lumed pencil hands used on the original. The re-edition also features modern improvements, like the durable amorphous diamond-like carbon (ADLC) coating that gives the bezel its black finish. To preserve the vintage character, the watch is powered by the Caliber B09, a current Breitling manufacture movement that is, appropriately, manual wind. The re-edition’s limitation references the watch’s original 1964 release date with the case-back engraving ‘One of 164’.
“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. That’s also why the AVI, in all its forms, has stood the test of time to become one of our most emblematic collections.”
Georges Kern, CEO, Breitling
Technical Specifications:
CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 P-51 MUSTANG
Reference: A233803A1B1A1 or A233803A1B1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Caliber 23
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.9 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, unilateral with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 48 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: oscillating pinion, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 48 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed steel
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
DIAL/HANDS
Black with tone-on-tone chronograph counters
Green-emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
STRAP (LUG/BUCKLE SIZE)
Gold-brown pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or five-row stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
PRICE
Bracelet: £5,200
Strap: £4,950
CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 P-51 MUSTANG
Reference: R233801A1B1R1 or R233801A1B1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Caliber 23
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.9 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, unilateral with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 48 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: oscillating pinion, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: 18K red gold
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 48 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed gold
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
DIAL/HANDS
Black with black contrasting chronograph counters
Blue-emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
STRAP (LUG/BUCKLE SIZE)
Black pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or 18K red gold five-row bracelet with butterfly clasp
PRICE
Bracelet: £31,000
Strap: £15,900
CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 TRIBUTE TO THE VOUGHT F4U CORSAIR
Reference: A233801A1C1A1 or A233801A1C1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Caliber 23
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.9 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, unilateral with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 48 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: oscillating pinion, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 48 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed steel
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
DIAL/HANDS
Blue with tone-on-tone chronograph counters
Blue-emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
STRAP (LUG/BUCKLE SIZE)
Black pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or five-row stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
PRICE
Bracelet: £5,200
Strap: £4,950
CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 CURTISS WARHAWK
Reference: A233801A1C1A1 or A233801A1C1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Caliber 23
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.9 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, unilateral with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 48 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: oscillating pinion, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 48 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed steel
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
DIAL/HANDS
Military green with white contrasting chronograph counters
Green-emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
STRAP (LUG/BUCKLE SIZE)
Brown pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or five-row stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
PRICE
Bracelet: £5,200
Strap: £4,950
CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 MOSQUITO
Reference: Y233801A1B1A1 or Y233801A1B1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Caliber 23
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.9 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, unilateral with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 48 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: oscillating pinion, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 48 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed steel
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: combination polished and satin-brushed black ceramic, bidirectional ratcheted, with red pointer and white numerals
DIAL/HANDS
Black with white contrasting chronograph counters
Blue-emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
STRAP (LUG/BUCKLE SIZE)
Brown pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or five-row stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
PRICE
Bracelet: £5,200
Strap: £4,950
SUPER AVI B04 CHRONOGRAPH GMT 46 MOSQUITO NIGHT FIGHTER
Reference: SB04451A1B1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 8.33 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Display: hour, minute, second, date window, second time zone
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: black ceramic
Diameter: 46 millimeters
Thickness: 15.9 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 51.5 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides
Case back: screwed titanium, sapphire crystal
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets, titanium
Bezel: Satin-brushed black ceramic, bidirectional ratcheted, with white pointer and white numerals
DIAL/HANDS
Black with anthracite contrasting chronograph counters
Blue-emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
STRAP (LUG/BUCKLE SIZE)
Black military calfskin leather strap with titanium folding clasp (24/20 mm)
PRICE
Strap: £9,950
AVI REF. 765 1964 RE-EDITION
Reference: AB09451A1B1X1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 6.73 millimeters
Winder: mechanical hand-wound
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 15-minute and 12-hour counter
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 41 millimeters
Height: 14.05 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 48.71 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 3 bar (30 meters)
Glass: hesalite, convex
Caseback: snapped, steel
Crown: non-screw-locked, one gasket
Bezel: amorphous diamond-like carbon (ADLC) coated, bidirectional ratcheted
DIAL/HANDS
Black with white contrasting chronograph counters
Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, hour, and minute hands
STRAP
Black vintage-inspired leather strap with pin buckle
PRICE
Bracelet: £5,300
Strap: £5,050
For more information please visit Breitling