Breitling expands its Air Universe with an update to its Avenger collection of pilot-inspired watches. First unveiled in 2001, the range welcomes three new COSC-certified formats—the 44mm chronograph, a 44mm automatic GMT, and a 42mm automatic. Customers can choose between a military leather strap with folding pin buckle or a stainless-steel bracelet with adjustable folding clasp.
All the watches come with Super-Luminova indexes and hands so that you can read time in the dark at a pinch. And in a surprising design move, the refreshed Avenger timepieces also feature the new Breitling logo sans wings, signalling that these timepieces are not considered part of the brand’s professional line.
Avenger B01 Chronograph 44
The Four Colourways
It’s powered by Breitling’s in-house Manufacture Calibre 01, which has a power reserve of 70 hours, and comes with a five-year warranty. The core model comes in four colourways—blue, green, black, or sand. Unlike its predecessor, the new timepiece uses square pushers when operating the chronograph function. According to the watchmaker, this change was made after soliciting feedback from pilots.
Breitling also released a Night Mission variant that has a case and bezel crafted entirely from scratch-resistant ceramic. For this model, the dial comes in either yellow or carbon black (opening picture). The case back, crown, pushers, and buckle are constructed from titanium, and the dial numerals use carbon fibre for legibility.
Avenger Automatic GMT 44
The Two Colourways
The new GMT come with black or navy-blue dials. Its distinctive feature is the red GMT hand, which lets you discern Zulu time (the military name for Universal Time Coordinated) at a glance. We recommend setting it to your home country instead when you’re travelling.
The Avenger Automatic GMT is powered by the Breitling Calibre 32 with a 42-hour power reserve and comes with a two-year warranty.
Avenger Automatic 42
For those who prefer a slightly smaller variant, the Automatic 42 offers that and a choice of black, navy-blue, or camouflage green dials. While 42mm is still a hefty chunk in a world that’s trending towards smaller case sizes, its curved lugs let the watch sit comfortably on your wrist.
Its case back hides a Breitling Calibre 17 automatic three-hand movement that delivers 38 hours of power. Like the Automatic, it also comes with a two-year warranty.
