Michael SatterfieldAt a small airport south of Dallas, Breitling unveiled the Super AVI collection set against the backdrop of the classic World War II-era fighter planes that inspired them. The new collection is more of an evolution than a revolution as the Super AVI is based on Breitling’s rich history of producing pilot watches dating back to the early 1950s.
The Super AVI collection is offered in four colorways, each representing one of four iconic planes: the American P-51 Mustang, Vought F4U Corsair, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the British de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito. There is also a red-gold variation of the P-51 Mustang, bringing the total number of watches in the new collection to five. To make the event even more special, Breitling flew in one of each of the planes and had pilots/historians on hand to answer questions about the vintage aircraft. Each pilot, of course, was wearing the watch that corresponded to his plane.
The Super AVI is a classic Breitling chronograph featuring the B04 automatic movement with GMT hand, a large 46mm case, and bold dials. The crown, bezel, and plungers are large as well, making the watch functional even with flight gloves on. The classic styling is going to appeal to those looking for timeless style that they can wear for years to come, if the original from the 1950s are still in style, I wouldn’t expect the Super AVI to be falling out of fashion anytime soon. My only complaint is the standard butterfly strap, mainly because I have large hands, but outside of that very fixable complaint, the Super AVI collection strikes the perfect balance of retro style with contemporary quality.
The Super AVI Collection:
P-51 Stainless Steel
Inspired by one of the most revered fighter planes in all of history the P-51 is so classic one might mistake it for a vintage watch. Black dial, stainless steel, with a beautiful calfskin strap.
$10,100
P-51 Rose Gold
The same classic style but offered in 18K Red Gold and a black calfskin strap.
$23,650
DH.98 Mosquito
The twin-engine British-built Mosquito was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world in the 1940s and it was made mostly out of wood. Featuring a bold black, white, and red dial, black bezel, and brown calfskin strap.
$10,250
F4U Corsair
The Corsair was one of the early carrier-based aircraft developed for the US Navy; it was so beloved by its pilots that the last Corsair wasn’t retired from active military service until 1979. Featuring a blue dial, polished stainless steel case, and black calfskin strap.
$10,100
P-40 Curtiss Warhawk
The P-40 has inspired more than a few Breitling watches over the years and for good reason, it was the fighter of choice for the Flying Tigers who volunteered in the opening days of the war before America was officially involved in the war. The Warhawk features a green and white dial with red accents, a stainless steel case, and a classic brown calfskin strap.
$10,100
Breitling also made history with the launch of the Super AVI collection, for the first time ever the 4 planes that inspired these amazing watches flew in formation together. Breitling also is also supporting the Commemorative Air Force and their efforts to preserve the past and train the next generation of aviators through Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center (NAEC) in Dallas.
The Breitling Super AVI collection is available now from Breitling retailers as well as online at Breitling.com.
