A high-flying tribute to classic military aircraft

From brave first takeoffs to the birth of commercial air travel, Breitling’s history is inseparable from that of flight. In the 1930s, Breitling’s Huit Aviation department made its name inventing precision cockpit clocks. Two decades later, it introduced yet another novel flight instrument, this time in wearable form: the Ref. 765 AVI. That pioneering pilot’s watch provided the technical backdrop for today’s Super AVI, a collection inspired by the rugged spirit of famed early aircraft. The Super AVI P-51 Mustang honors one of those legends. When the aircraft was built in a mere 120 days, even its developer North American Aviation, didn’t anticipate what a powerhouse it had on its hands. The P-51’s low-drag wings and engine-cooling system—considered experimental when the single-seat fighter first took off in 1940—gave it unprecedented speed and range. The addition of a Merlin engine, expanded the plane’s performance to high altitudes, making it the best all-purpose fighter of its time. As a true pilot’s watch designed to withstand the rigors of a vintage cockpit, the Super AVI P-51 Mustang features large, highly legible Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel. The oversized crown and knurled bezel on its sturdy 46mm case provide optimal grip, even in a pilot’s gloved hands. Top-stitched calfskin straps give a nod to the seams found on classic flight gear, while the optional stainless-steel bracelet provides an elegant alternative. Pilots and other travelers will appreciate the ability to track a second time zone using the 24-hour marking on the inner bezel and the red-tipped GMT hand. The engine of the Super AVI is the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04 movement, which provides approximately 70-hours of power reserve.