Swiss watch legend Breitling puts a spin on their Super AVI watch collection launched in 2021, still celebrating the original 1953 Ref. 765 AVI Co-Pilot and four legendary planes but with reduced functionality and smaller case sizes. There are ten Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 watches to choose from, each inspired by either the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, or the de Havilland Mosquito.
Two years ago, Breitling announced their Super AVI watch collection, a series of rugged 46mm GMT chronographs inspired one of their most famous historic flight instruments. The Ref.765 AVI pilot’s watch was originally launched in 1953 and with its rotating 12-hour bezel and highly legible dial cemented Breitling further as one of the leading luxury watch manufacturers in the pilots watch space. The Breitling Super AVI watch collection has since become a hot spot for those looking for large pilot’s watches with both chronograph and GMT complication but sadly those of us with smaller wrists were left wanting more. Now, the Swiss watchmaker has answered our prayers and launched the Breitling Classic AVI watch collection. Offering all of the same DNA as its larger counterparts, the Breitling Classic AVI watches offer more accessible 42mm cases and classic chronograph displays without the GMT hand.
“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.”
Fans of the Super AVI collection will notice that all of the colour themes dedicated to the four legendary aircrafts still remain within the Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 watch collection. We have references A233801A1C1X1 & A233801A1C1A1 inspired by the Vought F4U Corsair with nautical blue dials. Meanwhile references A233802A1L1X1 & A233802A1L1A1 bring to life the legendary Curtiss Warhawk with a military khaki-green dial with contrasting white counters. Then there’s our personal favourite references Y233801A1B1X1 & Y233801A1B1A1 opting for timeless reverse-panda dials with sporty red accents inspired by Havilland Mosquito aircraft. Finally, there are four references dedicated to the P-51 Mustang, two in stainless steel with black dials (A233803A1B1X1 & A233803A1B1A1) and two engineered from 18ct rose gold with anthracite dials (R233801A1B1X1 & R233801A1B1R1).
All of the Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 watches follow suit in their core specifications. We’re promised 42mm-wide cases with bold, bi-directional rotating bezels with fine ratcheting for easy manipulation in the cockpit. The bezels are engineered from steel, black ceramic or 18ct rose gold depending on the model and come engraved with a 12-hour scale. The cases are 14.7mm tall and offer 100 metre water resistant ratings thanks to the screwed in case back which comes engraved with its corresponding planes’ silhouette. Each watch is also available on a metal bracelet or a calfskin leather strap.
As with all of Breitling’s pilot’s watches, legibility is assured with generous amounts of Superluminova applied to the dials. Each Breitling Classic AVI watch nominates large, luminous Arabic numerals, two sword-shaped Superluminova-coated hands for the hours and minutes and a red tipped chronograph seconds hand. The three subsidiary dials present the 30 minutes counter at 3 o’clock, 12 hours at 6 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock. Powering the Breitling Classic AVI watches is the Breitling Calibre 23 automatic winding movement with chronometer-certification, a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 48 hours.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 watches and shop the collection for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
