Today marks the debut of the 42 mm Breitling Classic AVI, which adds a timeless touch to the durable aviator’s chronograph, drawing inspiration from the original 1953 Ref. 765 AVI Co-Pilot and paying homage to four iconic aircraft. Concurrently, the 46 mm Super AVI range welcomes an audacious newcomer in the form of the black ceramic Mosquito Night Fighter. Breitling has also astounded collectors with an exceedingly limited reissue of the 1964 edition of the AVI Co-Pilot, resurrecting a cherished classic in the realm of sport watches.
Breitling’s pioneering pilot’s timepiece has become more accessible than ever. The new Classic AVI collection adopts the renowned design elements first established by the 46 mm Super AVI and adapts them into a 42 mm format. The outcome is a robust and effortlessly wearable watch suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes.
But to truly appreciate the AVI’s origins, we must journey back in time. In the 1930s, Breitling’s Huit Aviation Department earned its reputation by crafting precise cockpit clocks and dedicated wrist chronographs for the burgeoning field of aeronautics. Fast forward two decades to 1953, when Breitling introduced yet another groundbreaking aviation instrument, the Ref. 765 AVI, a pilot’s chronograph featuring a rotating 12-hour bezel for recording flight durations. This user-friendly and highly legible timepiece proved indispensable for aviators, earning it the moniker “AVI Co-Pilot.”
In 2021, this pioneering pilot’s watch served as the inspiration for the Super AVI collection, comprised of robust 46 mm watches that pay tribute, through their colors and designs, to four of history’s most legendary 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,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “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.”
The Classic AVI, in contrast to the Super AVI, omits the GMT complication that adds to the latter’s robustness. The introduction of the Breitling Caliber 23 chronograph movement further refines its profile, enhancing the Classic AVI’s appeal from a value-oriented standpoint.
For enthusiasts of this collection, one can find continuity in the distinctive color schemes dedicated to the four iconic aircraft: a black dial paired with a golden-brown leather strap to honor the versatile Mustang, a blue dial coupled with a black strap as a tribute to the naval Corsair, a khaki dial complemented by a brown strap capturing the camouflaged appearance of the Warhawk, and a black dial adorned with a black ceramic bezel on a brown strap, symbolizing the Mosquito plane known as the “Wooden Wonder.” Vibrant accents drawn from the aircraft’s roundels and markings adorn the hands and subdials. The planes’ engraved silhouettes grace the case backs, which are available in stainless steel for all models, with an additional 18K red gold version for the Mustang. These timepieces can be worn with a choice of a top-stitched calfskin leather strap or a five-row metal bracelet.
As a valuable tip for Classic AVI enthusiasts, take a moment to scan the dial and uncover the “hidden” GPS coordinates of the Breitling Chronometrie. This detail pays homage to the specification stamps that were once a hallmark of vintage cockpit clocks, including those crafted by the Huit Aviation Department.
Mighty and monochrome: The Super AVI Mosquito Night Fighter
During a period marked by widespread shortages of aluminum and steel, the engineers behind the de Havilland Mosquito turned to a resource that was still abundant: wood. The remarkable “Wooden Wonder” sent shockwaves through the aviation world as it surpassed its metal counterparts in performance, establishing itself as one of the swiftest aircraft constructed between 1940 and 1950.
The Mosquito had various iterations, including a light bomber, a transport aircraft, and a photographic reconnaissance plane. However, the Super AVI Mosquito Night Fighter draws its inspiration from the Night Fighter 2, a sleek, all-black, two-seat aircraft designed for stealthy nocturnal operations. This timepiece pays homage to the aircraft’s dark exterior with a black ceramic case, a black military leather strap, and a black dial featuring anthracite subdials. The overall monochromatic aesthetic creates a striking contrast with the titanium pushers, crown, and buckle.
As with all Super AVI watches, the distinctive design elements include prominently sized, highly legible Arabic numerals and a robust 46 mm case. The knurled bezel and fluted crown ensure excellent grip, even when wearing gloves. Pilots and frequent travelers will appreciate its capacity to track a second time zone using the 24-hour scale on the inner bezel and the GMT hand with a grey tip. Powering the Super AVI is the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04 movement, which offers approximately 70 hours of power reserve. The movement is visible through the transparent titanium caseback, adorned with an etched outline of the Night Fighter aircraft.
A living legend: The Ref. 765 AVI 1964 Re-Edition
Originally introduced in 1953, the inaugural Ref. 765 AVI, affectionately known as the Co-Pilot, served as a dependable timepiece tailored to meet the demands of pilots navigating the challenging confines of single-seat cockpits. Its generous size, impeccable legibility, and user-friendly design established it as a trusted companion in the world of aviation.
As the 1960s dawned, the AVI’s straightforward elegance and generous proportions transcended its aviation roots, becoming a favored accessory beyond the cockpit. A particular 1964 variant of the 765 AVI, characterized by a black bezel and a contrasting reverse-panda dial, found favor among celebrities and sports luminaries. Notably, it graced the wrist of French skiing legend Jean-Claude Killy when he achieved the remarkable feat of winning gold in all three alpine skiing events at the 1968 Winter Games. Today, this iconic timepiece serves as the inspiration for an exceedingly limited reissue.
Each of the 164 pieces painstakingly recreates the design of this historical model. This faithful reproduction incorporates elements such as the era-appropriate hesalite crystal, along with baton-style indices and luminescent pencil hands that hark back to the original design. In a harmonious blend of heritage and modernity, the reissued version also boasts contemporary enhancements, such as the robust amorphous diamond-like carbon (ADLC) coating responsible for the black finish on the bezel. Upholding the vintage charm, the watch is equipped with the Caliber B09, a contemporary in-house Breitling movement that is hand-wound, fittingly honoring the original. The re-edition’s limited availability is a nod to the watch’s initial release in 1964, with the caseback bearing the engraving “One of 164.”
As Georges Kern says: “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.”