Breitling’s latest series of watches – Super AVI – is a tribute to aviation history. The collection, featuring suave watches in classic colour combinations, is 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.
Brietling’s Huit Aviation Department invented precision cockpit clocks in the 1930s. In 1953, the brand introduced a wearable flight instrument – the Ref. 765 AVI pilot’s watch, which was so beloved by aviators that it was dubbed the ‘Co-Pilot’. In 2020, Breitling revived the legacy of the classic chronograph by launching the AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition. The pioneering watch has now inspired the latest Super AVI, the debut series in Breitling’s Classic AVI collection.
The brand has evolved alongside landmark developments in the field of aviation. This launch marks nearly a century of Brietling’s iconic aviation timepieces and takes the journey forward. As Breitling CEO Georges Kern puts it, “This collection embodies that sense of nostalgia for the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools. But you don’t have to be a pilot or vintage-aircraft buff to appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship and rugged design.”
The five watches that comprise the collection are inspired by four game-changing and memorable aircraft whose filigree silhouettes adorn the watches’ sapphire casebacks.
The Super AVI P-51 Mustang comes in two 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 – paying homage to the best all-around fighter plane of its era.
The Super AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair features a blue dial, tone-on-tone chronograph counters, and a black leather strap. Each element recreates the characteristic livery of the record-breaking naval aircraft.
The Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk has a military-green dial, white contrasting chronograph counters, and red accents – which harken back to the famous shark-mouth nose art of the distinguished plane.
The Super AVI Mosquito presents a black ceramic bezel and a black dial with white contrasting chronograph counters. The red and orange accents recall the roundels and markings of the versatile plane known as the “Wooden Wonder”.
“Our watchmaking DNA is what dominates here, while the interpretations of the four aircraft give the series its emotion and bold graphic appeal. Taken together, these elements evoke the spirit of early flight,” says Breitling Creative Director Sylvain Berneron. “We can’t forget that Breitling pioneered aviation tool watches like the Ref. 765 AVI. That heritage is so strong, we had to not only keep it intact but rewrite it for the 21st century.”
The watches have the ability to track two time zones and feature large Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel, a sturdy 46 mm case, an oversized crown at 3 o’clock, knurled bezels for optimal grip, and top-stitched calfskin straps that resemble vintage leather flight gear. The COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04 movement powers the watch and provides approximately 70 hours of power reserve.
The Super AVI, with its robust aesthetic and enduring precision, is a reminder of an era when pilots’ watches acted as their reliable flight companions – yet remains just as relevant today as it was nearly a century ago.
