by Nancy Olson
Breitling’s new Super AVI 2021 collection highlights its ongoing commitment to a foundational pillar of the brand: aviation-inspired timepieces.
The 2021 collection both includes all the functional details prized in a sky-worthy watch and celebrates aviation history. I was fortunate to be invited to witness the Super AVI collection’s dramatic unveiling at the National Aviation Education Center (NAEC) in Dallas, where the Commemorative Air Force showed off some planes from the 1940s along with the four namesake Super AVI watches.
2021 Breitling Super AVI Collection
“This collection embodies that sense of nostalgia for the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools,” said Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, who was there as well.
At the helm since 2017, Kern has been instrumental in broadening the definition of Breitling to increase focus on land- and sea-worthy timepieces while continuing to give its aviation-centric watches their rightful due.
Inspiration
Breitling’s Reference 765 AVI pilot’s watch, introduced in 1953 and known as the Co-Pilot, is the inspiration for this 2021 collection, which was inspired by four vintage aircraft to create four new Super AVI watch models. The legendary planes honored are the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito. Their silhouettes decorate the watches’ case backs.
Clockwise from left: de Havilland Mosquito, Vought F4U Corsair, North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
“We can’t forget that Breitling pioneered aviation tool watches like Reference 765 AVI,” said Breitling creative director Sylvain Berneron. “That heritage is so strong we had to not only keep it intact, but rewrite it for the twenty-first century.”
And rewrite it they did with a memorable backstory that has World War II written all over it.
The watches
Legibility being essential in a pilot’s watch suggests that the new timepieces are eminently readable. And they are with large Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel, and bold Super-LumiNova accenting the numerals, indexes, and hands.
Breitling Super AVI P-51 Mustang
The generously sized 46 mm case, bidirectional ratcheted bezel, and oversized crown at 3 o’clock all provide a sense of sturdiness without bulk and solid dependability without overkill. The red-tipped GMT hand, in collusion with the 24-hour marking on the inner bezel, tracks a second time zone.
Inside, self-winding C.O.S.C.-certified Caliber B04 – you’ll know it from the Navitimer, Chronomat, and others – drives the hours, minutes, seconds, date, and second time zone. It has a balance frequency of 4 Hertz and offers 70 hours of power reserve. The column-wheel chronograph features a vertical clutch and quarter-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour totalizers.
Here’s where the watches diverge
Breitling Super AVI P-51 Mustang in red gold on the wrist
The Super AVI P-51 Mustang – named for the eponymous bomber that was a relative latecomer to the Pacific Theater – comes in two variations: with a stainless steel case, black dial, and brown leather strap and in red gold with an anthracite-colored dial and a black leather strap. The latter is exclusive to Breitling boutiques or available online at www.breitling.com.
North American Aviation P-51 Mustang
Breitling Super AVI Vought F4U Corsair on the wrist
The Super AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair with a blue dial, tone-on-tone counters, and a black leather strap is designed in honor of the naval aircraft Corsair, which was the first single-engine fighter to crack the 400 mph (644 kmh) mark.
Vought F4U Corsair
Breitling Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk on the wrist
The Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk is fitted with a military-green dial, white contrasting chronograph counters, and red accents. Its color scheme is a nod to its namesake’s famous shark-mouth nose art: so familiar was it to me from movies and books that it literally took my breath away when I saw it “in the metal.”
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Breitling Super AVI Mosquito on the wrist
Finally, the Super AVI Mosquito has a black ceramic bezel – the only one among the new collection – and a black dial with white counters. Its red and orange details allude to the markings on the plane, which is nicknamed “the Wooden Wonder.”
De Havilland Mosquito
As a history buff I was excited to witness the four historic aircraft that translated to the Super AVI collection along with many of the other planes on display at the 47,000-square-foot NAEC in Dallas.
Four legendary planes
It was easy to recognize the elements meaningful enough to become part of the design of the watches. And in speaking with the pilots, who were there to answer questions (and fly the planes), I sensed their respect for the aircraft and the watches they inspired.
Case back and yellow strap lining of the Breitling Super AVI P-51 Mustang
The pilot-inspired leather straps are lined in Breitling yellow, which may seem like a minor detail but make for a highly visible piece of identity. Allowing myself a moment of feminine allusion here, they remind me of the bright red soles on Christian Louboutin shoes: there’s never a question about what you’re wearing, and, as always, good taste speaks volumes.
For more information, please visit www.breitling.com.
Quick Facts Breitling Super AVI
Case: 46 mm, stainless steel or red gold
Movement: automatic Caliber B04, officially C.O.S.C. chronometer certified, 70-hour power reserve; 4 Hz/28,000 vph frequency
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date, second time zone
Price: $23,650 (red gold Mustang); $10,100 (steel Mustang); $10,250 (steel Mosquito); $10,100 (steel Corsair); $10,100 (steel Curtiss Warhawk)
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Hhhmmm.
I am sure these will be well made for the price and work very well, but the design seems a bit Conservative. It seems Breitling are being mainstreamed, while the the marketing department goes into high gear.
It’s hardly unexpected of course.
But disappointing nonetheless.
Conservative? When did a 46mm very colorful and or shine thing on a mans wrist start to look conservative ?
When it’s a Breitling!
I like the design “on paper”. But at 46 mm it is just too big for my wrist (I currently have a loaner). It puzzles me why Kern is re-introducing oversized watches all of a sudden after enjoying a successful run with more fitting diameters.
I find that puzzling too, K, and have wondered about that myself. Perhaps he’s trying to hit all the markets?
I think it’s a desperate attempt to hold on to “Brand Identity”.
Copying a Breguet Type 20 is not the way to do it though.
That’s what happens when the wrong person is in charge. I remember one high-flying CEO talking about “quality” being the No. 1 concern…. right above a photo of a brand new chronograph with mis-centred sub-dials!!