Horologii

Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Night Fighter Watch Review

Extending upon the popular Breitling Super AVI watch collection launched in 2021, the Swiss watchmaker has unveiled a new all-black edition inspired by the Mosquito Night Fighter 2, a two-seater designed to slip stealthily through the night sky. Let’s take a look at the new Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Night Fighter watch

In an industry full of vintage pilot’s watches, few designs command the level of attention and respect as the original 1953 Breitling Ref. 765 AVI. With its bold rotating bezel and oversized Arabic numerals for impeccable legibility, this watch granted aviators with a clean, easy-to-use design for practice in the cockpit. It was also a defining instrument for Breitling, cementing them further as one of the leading luxury watch manufacturers in the pilots watch space. Two years ago, Breitling paid homage to the original Breitling Ref. 765 AVI watch with a range of Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 watches named after four legendary planes: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito. In a surprising twist, the brand has now unveiled six new watches under this umbrella, including five smaller 42mm Classic AVI watches (which we’ll be reviewing shortly) and a single Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 watch inspired by the Mosquito Night Fighter 2 plane.

When aluminium and steel shortages were common, a group of aircraft engineers created the De Havilland Mosquito made almost entirely out of wood. Named the ‘Wooden Wonder’, the aircraft outperformed many of its metal counterparties and became one of the fastest planes built between 1940 and 1950.  Its lightweight construction and thus superior manoeuvrability allowed it to perform a variety of roles including a light bomber, transport and photographic reconnaissance aircraft. Another variation of the aircraft was the Havilland Mosquito Night Fighter 2 which was an all-black version of the two-seater plane, designed for the stealthy navigation of dark skies. In honour of this aircraft, Breitling have created the equally stealthy Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Night Fighter watch.

The Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Night Fighter watch retains all the familiar attributes of the Super AVI watches from 2021 but ultimately swaps out the clean stainless steel case for one of black ceramic. The lightweight, scratch resistant material is also utilised on the bidirectional rotating 12-hour bezel while lightweight titanium is appointed for the open case back and screw down crown. The case measures to 46mm in diameter and 15.9mm tall, so it’s not a small watch, but its all-black aesthetic certainly helps slim the design down on your wrist. There’s also cambered sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating and a 100 metre water resistant rating.

Continuing with the monochromatic theme, the dial of the Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Night Fighter watch is adorned in black and features three slightly recessed and snailed dark grey counters for the small seconds, 12 hours and 30 minutes. A 24 hour ring is also included in the same shade of grey at the dial’s circumference. As with all of Breitling’s pilot’s watches, legibility is assured by large white Arabic numerals with Superluminova coating and four equally luminous central hands for the hours, minutes, GMT and chronograph seconds. A date window is nicely integrated into the 12 hours counter at 6 o’clock.

Powering the Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Night Fighter watch is the familiar chronometer-certified Breitling Manufacture Calibre B04 automatic winding movement, which provides 47 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and 70 hours of power. The movement is visible through the open titanium case back, etched with the Night Fighter’s outline. The Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Night Fighter watch is completed by a black military leather strap – a nod to classic flight gear – and a titanium folding buckle.

If you’d like to learn more about the Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Night Fighter watch and shop the design for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team today by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications:

  • Case Size: 46mm
  • Case Material: Black ceramic
  • Bezel: Bidirectional with 12 hour scale
  • Glass: Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
  • Crown: Titanium, screw in
  • Case Back: Titanium, exhibition with special decoration
  • Water Resistance: 100 metres
  • Movement: Breitling Manufacture Calibre B04, automatic winding
  • COSC: Yes
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, GMT, small seconds, 30 minutes, 12 hours, date
  • Power Reserve: 70 hours
  • Jewels: 47
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Black with Superluminova hands and numerals, grey counters and 24 hour scale
  • Strap: Black calfskin leather
  • Buckle: Folding, titanium
  • RRP: £9,950
  • Limited: No
  • Reference: SB04451A1B1X1