The new Classic AVI Chronograph 42mm collection from Breitling takes inspiration from the historic 1953 Ref. 765 AVI Co-Pilot watch and four legendary planes. This new range of pilot watches takes the celebrated design codes established by the 46 mm Super AVI and puts them in a 42 mm format.
In the 1930s, Breitling’s Huit Aviation Department made its name creating precision cockpit clocks and dedicated wrist chronographs for the then-emerging field of aeronautics. Two decades later, in 1953, Breitling introduced the Ref. 765 AVI, a pilot’s chronograph with a rotating 12- hour bezel for recording flight times. The easy-to-operate, highly legible watch proved such an indispensable tool for aviators that it was quickly rebranded the AVI “Co-Pilot”.
In 2021, Breitling launched a new collection named Super AVI as a tribute to this iconic pilot watch. This series includes massive 46 mm timepieces equipped with Manufacture Caliber B04 GMT Chronograph movement. These automatic watches in their colorways and designs, honor four of history’s greatest aircrafts: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito.
The new Classic AVI 42mm range comes without the GMT complication. The introduction of the Breitling Caliber 23 chronograph movement further trims the profile.
The color schemes dedicated to the four legendary aircraft remains same: a black dial and gold brown leather strap to represent the Mustang, a blue dial with black strap in tribute to the Corsair, a khaki dial with brown strap for the camouflaged look of the Warhawk, and a black dial with black ceramic bezel on brown strap to capture the de Havilland Mosquito.
Colors from the aircraft’s roundels and markings add bright touches to the hands and subdials. The planes’ engraved silhouettes appear on the back of the cases, which come in stainless steel for all models, with an additional 18K red gold version of the Mustang. All can be worn on a choice of top-stitched calfskin leather strap or five-row metal bracelet.
Each timepiece sports GPS coordinates of the Breitling Chronometrie on the dial near 6 o’clock hour marker. They’re a nod to the spec stamps that used to appear on vintage cockpit clocks, including the ones made by the Huit Aviation Department.
Technical details
Movement
Caliber: Breitling Caliber 23
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.9 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, unilateral with ball bearing
Power reserve: approx. 48 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: oscillating pinion, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
Model: Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42mm P-51 Mustang
Reference: A233803A1B1A1 or A233803A1B1X1
Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip 48 millimeters to lower lug tip):
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed steel
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 calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or five-row stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
Model: Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42mm P-51 Mustang
Reference: R233801A1B1R1 or R233801A1B1X1
Case
Material: 18K red gold
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip 48 millimeters to lower lug tip):
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed gold
Crown: screwed in, two gaskets
Bezel: bidirectional ratcheted, with black pointer and numerals
Dial
Black with black contrasting chronograph counters
Blue-emitting Super-LumiNova® luminescent numerals, indexes, and hands
Strap
Black pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or 18K red gold five-row bracelet with butterfly clasp
Model: Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42mm Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair
Reference: A233801A1C1A1 or A233801A1C1X1
Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip 48 millimeters to lower lug tip):
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed steel
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 calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or five-row stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
Model: Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42mm Curtiss Warhawk
Reference: A233801A1C1A1 or A233801A1C1X1
Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip 48 millimeters to lower lug tip):
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed steel
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 calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or five-row stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
Model: Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42mm Mosquito
Reference: Y233801A1B1A1 or Y233801A1B1X1
Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 14.7 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip 48 millimeters to lower lug tip):
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed steel
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 calfskin leather strap with folding buckle (22/18 mm) or five-row stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
