The Avenger collection has been a staple in the Breitling line up for some time now, and late last week, they launched their all new Avenger collection with a refreshed design and bold colours.
Breitling’s ties to flying date back to the 1930s, when third-generation founder Willy Breitling formed the HUIT Aviation Department, dedicated to creating precision aircraft instruments and pilots’ chronographs. Since this time, the brand has gone on to release an extensive aviation collection, with much of these models having direct ties with aviation and moments in aviation history. So it’s no surprise that after 20 years, Breitling have re-imagined their classic Avenger Collection for the 21st Century.
“The Avenger was created to stand up to the relentless conditions of a jet cockpit and to support pilots in demanding aerial manoeuvres. Its redesign demanded nothing less. This collection pairs all the performance with sophisticated modern aviation style.”
Georges Kern, Breitling CEO
Whilst Breitling have been refining many of their collections, and slimming down their watches, the Avenger Collection remains true to its tool watch roots, with 3 iterations now available in 44mm and 42mm. Size is important when it comes to flight watches due to the demands of these from pilots – easily legible at a glance and when needing to time and do calculations, using the bezel with thick gloves is imperative so the larger the watch, the easier it is.
Breitling have given the new Avengers three distinct variants – a 44mm chronograph, a 44mm GMT and a 42mm automatic. All pieces come with a choice of military leather strap with folding pin buckle or three-row stainless-steel bracelet with micro-adjustable folding clasp. Having owned the previous Super Avenger 48 Chronograph (yes, it was a BIG watch!) I can safely say that these look great on either leather or steel, or adding a rubber strap with folding clasp enhances it’s look as well.
AVENGER B01 CHRONOGRAPH 44 AND NIGHT MISSION
These two new incarnations of the Avenger line are the core models and come with the in house Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 that provides approximately 70 hours of power and comes with a five-year-warranty, as well as being a COSC-certified chronometer, which all models across the range have. Unlike the Super Avengers of old, the 44mm Chronographs all come with the display case back so you’re able to see Breitling’s handiwork through the sapphire crystal.
The 44mm B01 chronograph’s come in 4 dial colours – Blue, Black, Green or Sandy/Beige and all feature a 60 minute rotating bezel with large grips at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions.
Each feature the baton indices on the bezel filled with Super-LumiNova® and Breitling have changed the stop/start and reset pushers from round to rectangular for ease of operation on their new chronograph line.
In addition to the steel models, the Night Mission returns with a vibrant yellow or carbon fibre black dial and a case and bezel constructed entirely of scratch-resistant ceramic. Its caseback, crown, pushers, and buckle are crafted in solid titanium, making the Night Mission incredibly robust, but lighter as well on the wrist. Depending on which variant you choose, each are designed to be highly legible and will provide you with a stealth look or something that will stand out – it’s your choice!
AVENGER AUTOMATIC GMT 44
An aviation watch collection wouldn’t be complete without a GMT model. Prised by pilots as well as frequent flyers, a red GMT hand provides at-a-glance reading of Zulu time along a 24-hour rotating bezel. Alternatively, you can set the two time zones (home and away) depending on your needs. Whilst the case is the same as size in diameter of the chrono, the 44mm GMT has a slimmer profile which will give a slightly better wearing experience.
The steel-cased Avenger Automatic GMT comes in a choice of black or naval blue dials, with a military leather strap or three-row stainless-steel bracelet like it’s Chronograph cousins. The GMT is powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Calibre 32 that provides an approximate 42-hour reserve and is backed by a two-year warranty. Whilst not an in-house calibre, it’s based on the ETA 2893-2, you’ll have no issues with time keeping on this!
AVENGER AUTOMATIC 42
The Automatic 42 takes it cues from the 44mm Chronograph and GMT, but in a smaller, slimmer case design. Constructed in steel, the Avenger Automatic offers a choice of black, naval-blue, or camo-green dial, with the option of a matching military leather strap or three-row stainless-steel bracelet. Powered by the Breitling Calibre 17 automatic three-hand movement, it delivers up to 38 hours of power with a two-year warranty.
Final Thoughts
Breitling are in a kind of renaissance period, and Georges Kern continues to push the brand to re-invent itself and taking inspiration from the past. You can see this reflected in the new Avenger Collection, with some more refined lines and cases, mixed with the military aesthetics and design cues based on legibility and tool watch use. Breitling have also dropped the larger sized watches from this collection as well, doing away with the 45mm and 48mm variants. Probably a good thing in our minds!
The colours are bold and contemporary, whilst the Night Mission still retains its DNA with the use of ceramic and titanium for lightness and toughness. At first glance, our initial thoughts were the 44mm models were a little chunky or blocky, but in writing this and reviewing all the imagery and collateral, we may have been a bit quick to judge. This just means that we’ll need to go hands on with them to really get a sense of how they hold up and compare to the previous collection, something we’re looking forward to!
Reference: 44mm Chronograph
Specifications:
- Case: 44mm, 53mm lug-lug and 15.2mm thick
- Case Material: Brushed Stainless Steel
- Dial: Black, Green, Blue or Sand with contrasting chronograph counters and Super-LumiNova® filled indexes and hands
- Water resistance: 300 meters
- Crystal: Cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
- Caseback: Screwed steel, sapphire crystal
- Movement: Breitling B01 Automatic winding in-house chronograph movement with column-wheel & vertical clutch. Beating at 28,800 VpH or 4Hz
- Power reserve: 70 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Stainless Steel Bracelet with micro-adjustable folding clasp, or colour matched military leather strap with pin buckle.
Australian Retail Pricing : $11,490 AUD on Steel / $10,990 AUD on Leather
Reference: 44mm Chronograph “Night Mission”
Specifications:
- Case: 44mm, 53mm lug-lug and 15.2mm thick
- Case Material: Black Ceramic
- Dial: Black carbon fibre or yellow with contrasting Super-LumiNova® filled indexes and hands
- Water resistance: 300 meters
- Crystal: Cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
- Caseback: Titanium with screws, sapphire crystal
- Movement: Breitling B01 Automatic winding in-house chronograph movement with column-wheel & vertical clutch. Beating at 28,800 VpH or 4Hz
- Power reserve: 70 hours
- Strap: Black or yellow military leather strap with titanium folding pin buckle
Australian Retail Pricing : $13,290 AUD (Black Carbon Fibre) / $12,990 AUD (Yellow dial/strap)
Reference: 44mm GMT
Specifications:
- Case: 44mm, 53mm lug-lug and 12mm thick
- Case Material: Brushed Stainless Steel
- Dial: Black or Blue with Super-LumiNova® filled indexes and hands
- Water resistance: 300 meters
- Crystal: Cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
- Caseback: Screwed steel, sapphire crystal
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 32 movement. Beating at 28,800 VpH or 4Hz
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Black or blue military leather strap with folding pin buckle or stainless-steel bracelet with folding clasp
Australian Retail Pricing : $7,990 AUD on Steel / $7,490 AUD on Leather
Reference: 42mm Automatic
Specifications:
- Case: 42mm, 51mm lug-lug and 12mm thick
- Case Material: Brushed Stainless Steel
- Dial: Black, Green or Blue with Super-LumiNova® filled indexes and hands
- Water resistance: 300 meters
- Crystal: Cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
- Caseback: Screwed steel, sapphire crystal
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 17 automatic movement. Beating at 28,800 VpH or 4Hz
- Power reserve: 38 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Black, blue, or green military leather strap with folding pin buckle or stainless-steel bracelet with folding clasp
Australian Retail Pricing : $6,790 AUD on Steel / $6,390 AUD on Leather
