Dear friends of IWS, today we tell you about a watch, or rather an entire range, for true tough guys and aviation enthusiasts: the new Breitling Avenger collection launched by the maison this year.
For over two decades, Breitling’s Avenger has established itself as an icon in the world of aviation watches. This watch, initially conceived for pilots, has become a symbol of boldness, resilience, and advanced functionality, transcending its original use to become an accessory appreciated by a broader audience.
A Bit of History
Breitling’s story is a fascinating narrative of innovation, dedication, and craftsmanship in the world of watchmaking, with a significant chapter dedicated to the Avenger series. Founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Breitling began as an atelier specializing in the creation of chronographs and precision instruments, initially more focused on scientific and industrial purposes.
The connection between Breitling and aviation took flight in the 1930s when Willy Breitling, the founder’s grandson, understood the emerging importance of aviation and began developing specific watches for pilots. In 1936, Breitling became the official supplier of the Royal Air Force, further consolidating its role in the aeronautical sector.
In 1938, Willy Breitling founded the HUIT Aviation Department, specializing in creating precision instruments for aircraft. This department produced not only onboard chronographs but also wristwatches for aviators, definitively positioning Breitling as a prominent name in aeronautical watchmaking.
Breitling Avenger in 2023
With its robust case, water resistance, and chronograph functionality, the Avenger quickly established itself as one of Breitling’s most popular watches among pilots and watch enthusiasts. In 2023, the maison decided to completely redesign the collection and present it in four different models for a total of eleven variants. The DNA remains unchanged, a robust case for the real macho that unmistakably recalls the origin of this watch as a true tool for aviation.
In particular, the new Breitling Avenger collection includes three models: B01 Chronograph 44 and 44 Night Mission, Automatic GMT 44, and Automatic 42. Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at them.
B01 Chronograph 44
We could define the Breitling Avenger chronograph as “The Big Boss,” with its 44 mm diameter and 15.2 mm thickness case, honoring its roots as a tool watch used in military contexts. This model is powered by the Breitling 01 Manufacture Caliber, offering a power reserve of about 70 hours and comes with a five-year warranty, in addition to boasting COSC chronometer certification. The caliber can be observed through the sapphire crystal case back.
The main versions of the Avenger chronograph are characterized by dials available in different colors, such as blue, green, black, or sand, and a stainless steel rotating bezel that measures 60 minutes. The design of the watch best expresses the concept of “form follows function.” The stick indexes on the dial and the chronograph hand with a red tip are designed for clear and immediate reading of the time, equipped with Super-Luminova. Moreover, the design of the crown and bezel, along with the new square buttons, has been thought out to ensure an efficient and precise time measurement experience.
It’s interesting to note that, although it is a watch born for aviation, it is waterproof up to 300 m. A significant benefit that makes it versatile and suitable for everyday use, even in different contexts, such as the sea.
The list price for the B01 is 7,600.00 EUR.
B01 Chronograph Night Mission
For enthusiasts looking for a more disruptive aesthetic, the Avenger Night Mission model offers dials in vibrant shades of yellow or charcoal black, with a case and bezel made of scratch-resistant black ceramic. In this watch, the use of titanium for elements like the case back, crown, pushers, and buckle is also very interesting. Even in this model, the titanium case back is equipped with sapphire glass to observe the caliber inside. Finally, the black dial is made of carbon fiber.
The combination of materials like carbon fiber, titanium, and steel, also common in aircraft design, is not accidental. The Avenger has been designed to be light and robust, just like the jets it is inspired by. The result is an extremely legible yet lightweight and high-performing watch.
Apart from these fundamental elements, the movement, water resistance, and power reserve of the watch are similar to the B01 Chronograph.
The list price for the Night Mission version of the B01 is 9,100.00 EUR.
Automatic GMT 44
When we talk about watches and aviation, the GMT complication is undoubtedly the first that comes to mind, and in the Avenger collection, it could not be missing. Breitling presented the Avenger GMT in two versions, one with a black dial and the other with a blue dial. Both versions have a 44 mm case, like the chronograph, but with a more compact profile of 12.05 mm.
The case, bezel, and case back are made of stainless steel, and in this case, there is no sapphire glass. Beyond the case back, we find the Breitling 32 caliber, with a power reserve of about 42 hours, COSC certified. Here too, the number one prerogative is legibility, impeccable thanks to the large dial equipped with stick indexes and hands provided with Super-Luminova. Here too, the case is waterproof up to 300m.
Unlike the chronograph, available only with a military leather strap, the automatic GMT also comes with an integrated stainless steel bracelet with a deployant buckle.
The list price for the Avenger GMT is 5,400.00 EUR.
Automatic 42
Completing the renewed Avenger collection is the 42 mm automatic time-only watch. This watch retains all the robustness and strength of its 44 mm cousins in a 42 mm size. A great alternative for those who want a significant and robust watch but have a smaller wrist. Like the GMT, the case, bezel, and case back are made of stainless steel. This time the caliber is the Breitling 17, with a 38-hour power reserve.
For the 42mm automatic, in addition to blue and black dials, there is also a very charming version with a green dial. Like the GMT, in addition to the leather strap matched to the dial color, a stainless steel bracelet with a deployant buckle is available.
The list price is 4,400.00 EUR for the version with a leather strap and 4,700.00 EUR for the version with an integrated bracelet.
Final remarks
With this new Avenger collection, Breitling continues the path of rebirth that has distinguished it in recent years, remaining faithful to its roots and tradition, demonstrating its ability to innovate in terms of the use of materials.
Although I do not have a significant wrist, I recognize that the charm of these watches lies precisely in their size. Not a size for its own sake, or following market trends, but a form that follows the function for which these watches were born: to read immediately and in the shortest possible time essential information for those in flight. A legacy that Breitling has amply valued in this new collection.
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