BREITLING has launched Super AVI, the newest watch series that celebrates the aviation history with designs inspired by the original 1953 “Co-Pilot” Ref. 765 AVI aviator’s watch and 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 the 1930s, Breitling’s Huit Aviation department made its name inventing precision cockpit clocks for the then nascent field of aeronautics. Two decades later, in 1953, Breitling introduced the world to yet another novel flight instrument, this time in wearable form. The Ref. 765 AVI pilot’s watch was an instant hit and a first of its kind that inspired many others. Beloved by aviators, it quickly became known as the “Co-Pilot.”
In 2020, Breitling also launched the AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition, a carefully researched and crafted re-edition honoring this classic chronograph’s legacy.
That pioneering watch is the inspiration for today’s Super AVI, the debut series in Breitling’s Classic AVI collection. Its launch marks nearly a century of aviation timepieces from a brand that has shared some of the field’s finest moments.
The collection comes in five unique versions honoring four powerful and memorable aircraft, whose filigree silhouettes adorn the watches’ sapphire case backs.
Breitling Super AVI P-51 Mustang
When the P-51 Mustang was built in a mere 120 days, even its developer, North American Aviation, didn’t anticipate what a powerhouse it had on its hands.
The P-51’s low-drag wings and engine cooling system – considered experimental when the single-seat fighter first took off in 1940 – gave it unprecedented speed and range. The addition of a Merlin engine expanded the plane’s performance to high altitudes, making it the best all-purpose fighter of its time.
The Super AVI P-51 Mustang pays homage to the best all-around fighter plane of its era in two distinct versions: a stainless-steel case with a black dial and gold-brown leather strap, and an 18 k red gold version with an anthracite dial and a black leather strap.
Breitling Super AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair
As a WWII naval aircraft, the Vought F4U Corsair had to make tricky takeoffs and landings from carriers and remote landing strips.
Speed and lift were of the essence, and the Corsair came through with flying colors, becoming the first single-engine fighter to crack the 400 mph (640 km/h) mark, while also providing an exceptional rate of climb. Its “bent-wing” design, oversized propeller, and signature blue livery make it an emblem of aviation history.
The Super AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair features a blue dial, tone-on-tone chronograph counters, and a black leather strap that take their design cues from the characteristic livery of the record-breaking naval aircraft.
Breitling Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk
Conceived as a pursuit aircraft, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk first flew in 1938 and quickly proved itself as a master of agility. It wasn’t just the plane’s capacity for pulling jaw-dropping turns that gave it an in-flight edge, its robust structure meant it could tolerate harsh weather conditions and even severe combat damage.
The Warhawk’s defiant shark-mouth nose art sealed its reputation as the rebel of the skies.
The Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk, with its military-green dial, white contrasting chronograph counters, and red accents, plays on its namesake’s famous shark-mouth nose art that gave the plane its unmistakable identity.
Breitling Super AVI Mosquito
In an era when aluminum and steel shortages were common, the engineers behind the de Havilland Mosquito made use of a still plentiful material: wood.
The “Wooden Wonder” caused shock waves when it outperformed its metal contemporaries to become one of the fastest planes built between 1940 and 1950. Its superior maneuverability allowed it to multitask in roles as far-ranging as light bomber, night fighter, transport and photographic reconnaissance aircraft.
The Super AVI Mosquito features a combination polished and satin-brushed black ceramic bezel and a black dial with white contrasting chronograph counters. Its red and orange elements recall the roundels and markings found on the versatile plane, dubbed the “Wooden Wonder”.
The Super AVI’s distinctive design includes large, highly legible Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel. Its sturdy case measures 46 mm, and the oversized crown sits at 3 o’clock. Knurled bezels provide optimal grip, and top-stitched calfskin straps give a nod to the seams found on leather flight gear of the era.
These timepieces have the ability to track a second time zone using the 24-hour marking on the inner bezel and the red-tipped GMT hand. The engine of the Super AVI is the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04 movement, which provides approximately 70 hours of power reserve.
Technical details
Model: Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang, Steel
Reference: AB04453A1B1X1
Movement
Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 8.33 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Functions
Hour, minute, second, date window, second time zone
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 30-minute, and 12-hour totalizers
Certification
COSC-certified
Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 46 millimeters
Thickness: 15.9 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides
Case back: screwed steel, sapphire crystal
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
Dial
Black with tone-on-tone chronograph counters
Green emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
Strap
Gold-brown pilot-inspired leather strap with folding clasp (24/20 mm)
Model: Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang, red gold
Reference: RB04451A1B1X1
Movement
Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 8.33 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Functions
Hour, minute, second, date window, second time zone
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 30-minute, and 12-hour totalizers
Certification
COSC-certified
Case
Material: 18 k red gold
Diameter: 46 millimeters
Thickness: 15.9 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
Case back: screwed 18 k red gold, sapphire crystal
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
Dial
Anthracite with black contrasting chronograph counters
Blue emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
Strap
Black pilot-inspired leather strap with folding clasp (24/20 mm)
Model: Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair
Reference: AB04451A1C1X1
Movement
Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 8.33 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Functions
Hour, minute, second, date window, second time zone
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 30-minute, and 12-hour totalizers
Certification
COSC-certified
Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 46 millimeters
Thickness: 15.9 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
Case back: screwed steel, sapphire crystal
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
Dial
Blue with tone-on-tone chronograph counters
Blue emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
Strap
Black pilot-inspired leather strap with folding clasp (24/20 mm)
Model: Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Curtiss Warhawk
Reference: AB04452A1L1X1
Movement
Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 8.33 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Functions
Hour, minute, second, date window, second time zone
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 30-minute, and 12-hour totalizers
Certification
COSC-certified
Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 46 millimeters
Thickness: 15.9 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
Case back: screwed steel, sapphire crystal
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
Dial
Military green with white contrasting chronograph counters
Green emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
Strap
Brown pilot-inspired leather strap with folding clasp (24/20 mm)
Model: Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito
Reference: YB04451A1B1X1
Movement
Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 8.33 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Functions
Hour, minute, second, date window, second time zone
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 30-minute, and 12-hour totalizers
Certification
COSC-certified
Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 46 millimeters
Thickness: 15.9 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
Case back: screwed steel, sapphire crystal
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: combination polished and satin-brushed black ceramic, bidirectional ratcheted, with red pointer and white numerals
Dial
Black with white contrasting chronograph counters
Blue emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
Strap
Brown pilot-inspired leather strap with folding clasp (24/20 mm)
