Breitling Marks 70-Years Of The AVI ‘Co-Pilot’ 

Breitling Marks 70-Years Of The AVI ‘Co-Pilot’ 

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
CLASSIC AVI CHRONOGRAPH 42 P-51 MUSTANG

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 

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

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