Just last week, Breitling unveiled a whole new range of timepieces including a brand new Avenger collection, the Breitling Superocean Outerknown and a range of ECONYL NATO watch straps– you can read about all these new models here. Alongside these breathtaking releases was one model that stood out poignantly from the rest: the Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito watch. This remarkable instrument comes from one of the Swiss manufacturer’s newest collections, the Aviator 8, which has proved once and for all that aviation remains a crucial part of the brand’s DNA.
The Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito watch has been designed to tribute the Havilland Mosquito plane, an aircraft made almost entirely out of wood renowned for its speed and manoeuvrability. The plane found success in its many roles as an unarmed light bomber, day fighter, night fighter and photographic reconnaissance aircraft. Breitling CEO Georges Kern says: “The de Havilland Mosquito is a truly unique and iconic piece of aviation history. It was distinguished by incredibly innovative design and an ingenious use of materials. Our Aviator 8 Mosquito is an affectionate reminder of one of the world’s true aviation successes.”
In honour of the Havilland Mosquito plane, the Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito watch has taken design inspiration from the onboard clocks engineered by the Huit Aviation Department in the 1930’s and 1940’s. In addition to being inspired by the onboard clocks on these planes, the Aviator 8 Mosquito watch draws a lot of its design from the vintage 765 AVI Co-Pilot watch which is considered one of the best looking vintage Breitling chronographs ever made. It was nicknamed the “Raquel Welch” after the actress famously wore the watch in the 1967 film “Fathom,” and became instantly recognisable for its bold bidirectional bezel, striking chronograph pushers and reverse panda chronograph dial layout. We are pleased to say that these stunning features have found themselves onto the new Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito watch.
The Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito watch is going to be a huge hit for fans of both vintage and contemporary-looking watches with a design that perfectly balances the border of both. It comes presented in a stunning 43mm stainless steel fitted with a black stain-brushed ADLC-coated stainless steel bezel decorated with a practical red pointer. For those that have never heard of ADLC before, this has the very same functionality and scratch resistance as standard black DLC but instead boasts a deeper-looking shade of black which can only be fully appreciated up close.
The 100 metre water resistance case also comes with a screw locked crown and cambered sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The same sapphire glass can also be found on the case back which provides a mesmerising view of the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 inside. This in-house automatic movement has been COSC certified and provides a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The calibre is also responsible for powering each of the functions on the black dial including hour, minute and central chronograph seconds, date feature and three subsidiary dials for continuous seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours.
The dial of the Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito watch is absolutely breathtaking and is decorated in a smooth black finish with eye-catching red and orange accents and Superluminova hour, minute and central seconds hands. The red and orange markings recall the roundels and markings found on the fuselage of the de Havilland Mosquito plane while also providing additional legibility to the dial. The vintage inspired aesthetic is further complimented by a brown distressed-style leather strap which is available with either a pin buckle or a folding buckle.
The Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito watch is available to order now at a retail price £6,230 for the folding buckle and £5,980 for the tang buckle. Order your own today here.
Specifications: Breitling Aviator 8 Mosquito Watch (AB01194A1B1X1, AB01194A1B1X2)
- Case Size: 43mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Bidirectional, black ADLC-coated stainless steel
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Crown: Screw down
- Case Back: Sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Breitling B01 Manufacture Automatic
- COSC Certified: Yes
- Functions: Hour, minute, central chronograph seconds, date, continuous seconds, 12 hour counter, 30 minute counter
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 47
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black with Superluminova hour, minute and central seconds hands
- Strap: Vintage brown leather available with either folding or pin buckle
- RRP: £6,230 (Folding buckle), £5,980 (Pin buckle)
