Within the classic pilot watch neighborhood, few fashions command the type of want and reverence impressed by the 1953 Breitling Ref. 765 AVI. With its cleanly usable design and in depth monitor file in each civil and navy aviation, the Ref. 765 AVI helped to outline a era of pilot’s chronographs and additional cemented Breitling as one of many premier manufacturers within the aviation watch area. Whereas basic fashions are nonetheless extremely wanted, the AVI nameplate has lengthy lain dormant amid Breitling’s in depth pilot watch lineup. For its newest launch, the model lastly returns to the AVI sequence in pressure, delivering a quintet of chronograph designs themed round 4 of probably the most well-known fighter plane of World Battle II. Discounting the slight mismatch of the ‘50s-inspired design and ‘40s-era theming, the brand new Breitling Tremendous AVI assortment delivers a surprisingly daring stability of classic and fashionable design cues with wonderful motion efficiency and an array of enticing colorways. With fashions together with the Breitling Tremendous AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair, the Breitling Tremendous AVI Curtiss Warhawk, the Breitling Tremendous AVI Mosquito, and two variants of the Breitling Tremendous AVI P-51 Mustang, this new assortment indicators a brand new starting for one of many model’s most storied chronograph strains.
4 legendary planes: the de Havilland Mosquito (backside left), the Vought F4U Corsair (high left), the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (backside proper) and the P-51 Mustang (high proper)
Regardless of the ‘50s-inspired design language, the circumstances of the Breitling Tremendous AVI sequence measure in at a beefy fashionable 46mm-wide with a sizeable 15.9mm general thickness. Rendered in stainless-steel (except for the Breitling Tremendous AVI P-51 Mustang’s 18k red-gold variant), the general type of the case is clear and timeless, with robust chamfered lugs, flat case sides, piston pushers, and a slim coin edge 12-hour bezel. Breitling’s use of ending right here units the Tremendous AVI line other than its rivals, with a totally polished end when considered from above for a vivid classic look. These polished surfaces are contrasted with aggressive brushing alongside the case sides, serving to to interrupt up the visible profile and giving this military-inflected design a extra refined character. The Tremendous AVI Mosquito’s use of a gloss black ceramic bezel insert quite than the polished steel used for the remainder of the road instantly provides this mannequin a extra up to date character, calling to thoughts Breitling’s late ‘60s pilot chronograph designs greater than the unique Ref. 765 AVI. With that mentioned, this totally different perspective harmonizes nicely with the bottom design. Every mannequin within the Breitling Tremendous AVI line is fitted with a sapphire show caseback, emblazoned with a head-on silhouette of the plane that impressed it. Though these printed outlines do markedly obscure the view of the motion inside, the impact is evocative, significantly with the Tremendous AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair. In step with the rugged and succesful design ethos, every mannequin within the sequence is rated for a strong 100 meters of water resistance.
Every mannequin within the Breitling Tremendous AVI sequence builds upon the dial template of the unique Ref. 765 AVI in its personal manner. The Breitling Tremendous AVI P-51 Mustang feels by far probably the most authentically classic of the bunch, with a easy matte black most important dial floor and a mixture of daring printed Arabic numerals and triangular indices in heat sandy fauxtina lume. In typical Breitling trend, it’s the positive particulars that give this format a definite character from comparable designs. Parts from the sharply tapering ends of the polished sword fingers, to the slickly built-in 6 o’clock date window, to the interaction of textures between the azurage floor of the three o’clock chronograph minutes subdial and its signature five-minute lume plots give a formidable sense of intricacy and polish. Breitling’s integration of a GMT complication to this already busy dial is surprisingly streamlined, with solely a slim 24-hour rehaut and a slim orange spear-tipped GMT hand to belie its presence.
The crimson gold model of the Breitling Tremendous AVI P-51 Mustang provides this format a extra up to date and upscale therapy, with a vertically brushed anthracite grey most important dial to subtly distinction the black subdials. The polished crimson gold handset and vivid white lume of this variant additionally reframe the design for a extra luxe look, taking away among the base design’s tool-watch edge. It might be the Breitling Tremendous AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair that provides probably the most balanced strategy of the sequence, with a white lume fill complemented by a vertically brushed dial in the identical deep midnight blue utilized by U.S. Navy F4Us throughout World Battle II. This cooler colorway additionally permits the orange GMT hand to pop dramatically in opposition to its backdrop for simple legibility. The Breitling Tremendous AVI Curtiss Warhawk delivers probably the most on-trend look of the sequence, combining its vibrant white subdials and lume fill with a matte olive drab base dial for a military-inspired riff on the “reverse panda” look. This model additionally receives an additional jolt of coloration with crimson lume plots on the three o’clock subdial, subtly referencing the “shark mouth” nostril artwork made iconic by the P-40 Warhawk. Though this visible spotlight provides the mannequin some added character, the distinction between the crimson of the subdial and the orange GMT hand is simply sufficient so as to add a way of visible dissonance. Lastly, the Breitling Tremendous AVI Mosquito takes by far the biggest visible departure from the bottom design. Persevering with the pattern of the bezel, the visible ethos is firmly rooted in Breitling’s ‘60s designs, quite than the ‘50s inspiration of its companions. To this finish, the true “reverse panda” mixture of deep black most important dial and silvery-white subdials provides this mannequin a high-contrast punch, whereas added white components just like the outer rehaut break up the dial visually and provides a larger sense of complexity. By far probably the most hanging factor right here, nevertheless, is the handset. Moderately than simply the GMT hand, each hand on the dial aside from the operating seconds and chronograph hours subdials is tipped in blazing sign orange. Coupled with the orange lume pips on the three o’clock subdial, this use of vivid high-impact coloration is visually arresting, however nonetheless sufficiently small to keep away from feeling overwhelming.
Breitling powers all 5 variants of the Tremendous AVI sequence with its in-house B04 automated GMT chronograph motion. Geared up with each a column wheel and a vertical clutch chronograph actuation system, the B04 is comparatively fundamental with its ornament with Côtes de Genève throughout the bridges and a signed rotor. The B04’s efficiency is something however fundamental, nevertheless, with a COSC chronometer certification for accuracy and a hefty 70-hour energy reserve at a 28,800 bph beat fee.
Every mannequin within the Breitling Tremendous AVI sequence is fitted with a totally stitched pilot-style leather-based strap and a deployant clasp. Breitling pairs the Tremendous AVI Curtiss Warhawk and the Tremendous AVI Mosquito with distressed mahogany brown leather-based that includes cream stitching, whereas the stainless-steel Tremendous AVI P-51 Mustang as a substitute makes use of a lighter and hotter honey brown shade. For the crimson gold Tremendous AVI P-51 Mustang and the Tremendous AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair, the model opts as a substitute for traditional black.
Combining wartime inspirations with a clear ’50s design language and imposing fashionable dimensions, the brand new Breitling Tremendous AVI sequence is a high-impact retro-modern revival for one of many model’s most beloved nameplates. The Breitling Tremendous AVI assortment is obtainable now via approved sellers at an MSRP of $10,100 every for the Tremendous AVI P-51 Mustang in stainless-steel, the Tremendous AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair, and the Tremendous AVI Curtiss Warhawk. The Breitling Tremendous AVI Mosquito is as a substitute priced at $10,250. The 18K crimson gold Breitling Tremendous AVI P-51 Mustang is obtainable completely via Breitling boutiques and the model’s e-commerce websites. Whereas the model didn’t make pricing data on this gold mannequin obtainable forward of embargo time, costs on this piece are prone to fall within the $25,000 to $30,000 vary. For extra particulars, please go to the model’s web site.
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