Breitling plans to end the year with an entirely new watch series that draws inspiration from vintage aviation aesthetics. Please welcome, the Super AVI - the newest watch series that celebrates 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.
Breitling CEO Georges Kern says, "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." True, we say. Watch enthusiasts can come together to appreciate the design of the five unique versions honouring four powerful and memorable aircraft, whose filigree silhouettes adorn the watches' sapphire casebacks.
The Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang Ref. AB04453A1B1X1 pays homage to the long-range P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft that played a pivotal role in the Allied victory during World War II. The Breitling Super AVI P-51 Mustang timepiece has been presented in two distinct versions - a stainless-steel case with a black dial and gold-brown leather strap, and an 18K red gold version with an anthracite dial and a black leather strap.
The Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair Ref. AB04451A1C1X1 pays its sincere respect to the speedy and fierce F4U Corsair fighter plane that helped Allied naval aviators stay on top of World War II and is still known for its speed, ruggedness, and firepower. The Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair chronograph 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.
The Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Curtiss Warhawk Ref. AB04452A1L1X1 bows down to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk - the American single-engined, single-seat, all-metal pursuit fighter plane and ground-attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. Its fanfolks say that its slower speeds enabled the pilots to pull jaw-dropping turns that gave it an in-flight edge. The Curtiss Warhawk watch with its military-green dial, white contrasting chronograph counters, and red accents, builds on its namesake's famous shark-mouth nose art that gave the plane its indisputable identity.
The Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Ref. B04451A1B1X1 honours the British twin-engine, two-seat, mid-wing bomber aircraft -- de Havilland Mosquito -- that was adapted to become the prime night fighter of the Allies during World War II. The Super AVI Mosquito features a combination of polished and satin-brushed black ceramic bezel and a black dial with white contrasting chronograph counters. Its red and orange elements call to mind the roundels and markings found on the versatile plane, dubbed 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."
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The Super AVI's distinguished design clubs large, highly legible Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel. Its rugged case measures 46mm and the oversized crown sits at 3 o'clock. Knurled bezels provide optimal grip and top-stitched calfskin straps evoke the seams found on leather flight gear of the era. These versatile pieces can also prove to be impressive to travelers with their ability to track a second time zone using the 24-hour marking on the inner bezel and the red-tipped GMT hand.
The burly chronographs are driven by the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04 movement, which provides approximately 70 hours of power reserve. The self-winding mechanical movement vibrates at the rate of 28,800 vph and offers chronograph functions like measurement of 1/4th of a second, and 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers.
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Breitling brings the four planes together for an epic campaign photoshoot
To mark Breitling's launch of the new Super AVI collection, Breitling brought the four planes together for a cool campaign photoshoot. This was for the first time the four planes came together to tear through the sky, all for a dramatic air-to-air campaign photoshoot. One can only learn about these phenomenal aircraft to realise how important they were when history was being created, and are as today we flip through these history pages.
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang
The P-51's low-drag wings and engine-cooling system -- considered experimental when the single-seat fighter first took off in 1940 -- made it a thrilling flying object all about speed and range. The addition of a Merlin engine added to the plane's performance to reach high altitudes, making it the best all-purpose fighter of its time.
The Vought F4U Corsair
This WWII naval aircraft had to perform risky takeoffs and landings from carriers and remote landing strips. For that, the aircraft skillfully showed off its speed and lift skills. It became the first single-engine fighter to crack the 400 mph (640 km/h) mark, while also providing an extraordinary rate of climb. Its 'bent-wing' design, oversized propeller, and signature blue livery have made it one of the greatest flying stars in aviation history.
The de Havilland Mosquito
The Mosquito represents the resourcefulness of the era when aluminum and steel shortages were common and its engineers made use of wood. Called the 'Wooden Wonder', this bad boy on several occasions outperformed its metal contemporaries to become one of the fastest planes built between 1940 and 1950. The Mosquito was slick with its maneuvers which allowed it to become a light bomber, a night fighter, a transport, and photographic reconnaissance aircraft.
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
The P-40 is a master of agility. This all-metal fighter and ground-attack aircraft was constructed to withstand a considerable amount of bashing, be it the harsh weather conditions or mid-air collisions. Often slower and less maneuverable than its counterparts, it could take on crazy amounts of battle damage and could out dive most of its opponents. The Warhawk's aggressive shark-mouth nose art gave it the reputation as the rebel of the skies.
Technical Specifications
Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang Ref. AB04453A1B1X1 | Price: Rs 7,66,160 (approx.)
Movement: Caliber Breitling B04 (Manufacture), self-winding mechanical
Power reserve: Approx. 70 hours
Chronograph: 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totaliser
Case material: Stainless steel
Caseback: Screwed in
Water resistance: 100 metres
Bezel: Bidirectional ratcheted
Crown: Screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal: Cambered sapphire, glareproofed both sides
Strap material: Calfskin leather
Strap colour: Gold-brown
Buckle material: Stainless steel
Buckle type: Folding clasp
Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang Ref. RB04451A1B1X1 | Price: Rs 17,90,320 (approx.)
Movement: Caliber Breitling B04 (Manufacture), self-winding mechanical
Power reserve: Approx. 70 hours
Chronograph: 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totaliser
Case material: 18K red gold
Caseback: Screwed in (sapphire crystal)
Water resistance: 100 metres
Bezel: Bidirectional ratcheted
Crown: Screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal: Cambered sapphire, glareproofed both sides
Strap material: Calfskin leather
Strap colour: 18K red gold
Buckle material: Stainless steel
Buckle type: Folding clasp
Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair Ref. AB04451A1C1X1 | Price: Rs 7,66,160 (approx.)
Movement: Caliber Breitling B04 (Manufacture), self-winding mechanical
Power reserve: Approx. 70 hours
Chronograph: 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totaliser
Case material: Stainless steel
Caseback: Screwed in (sapphire crystal)
Water resistance: 100 metres
Bezel: Bidirectional ratcheted
Crown: Screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal: Sapphire
Strap material: Calfskin leather
Strap colour: Brown
Buckle material: Stainless steel
Buckle type: Folding clasp
Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Curtiss Warhawk Ref. AB04452A1L1X1 | Price: Rs 7,66,160 (approx.)
Movement: Caliber Breitling B04 (Manufacture), self-winding mechanical
Power reserve: Approx. 70 hours
Chronograph: 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totaliser
Case material: Stainless steel
Caseback: Screwed in (sapphire crystal)
Water resistance: 100 metres
Bezel: Bidirectional ratcheted
Crown: Screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal: Sapphire
Strap material: Calfskin leather
Strap colour: Brown
Buckle material: Stainless steel
Buckle type: Folding clasp
Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito Ref. YB04451A1B1X1 | Price: Rs 7,73,980 (approx.)
Movement: Caliber Breitling B04 (Manufacture), self-winding mechanical
Power reserve: Approx. 70 hours
Chronograph: 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totaliser
Case material: Stainless steel
Caseback: Screwed in (sapphire crystal)
Water resistance: 100 metres
Bezel: Bidirectional ratcheted
Crown: Screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal: Sapphire
Strap material: Calfskin leather
Strap colour: Brown
Buckle material: Stainless steel
Buckle type: Folding clasp
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