In 2019, Breitling introduced their first Re-Edition of a Navitimer Ref. 806 from 1959. Now, this series is being expanded by Ref. 765 AVI from 1953, a pilot’s watch (AVI stood for aviation), known as the Co-Pilot.
The Co-Pilot was a 1950s interpretation of the onboard clocks designed and produced by Breitling’s Huit Aviation Department in the 1930s and 1940s, which have already provided inspiration for the watches in the Aviator 8 collection. It was particularly appreciated due to its superior legibility and rugged construction.
The AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition is being produced in a limited series of 1953 pieces, each of which will be numbered “ONE OF 1953”. This timepiece is powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Calibre B09, a manually wound mechanical chronograph movement based on the brand’s reliable in-house Manufacture Calibre 01. It offers a power reserve of 70 hours.
What’s so special about Breitling’s Re-Editions is, that they are created with painstaking attention to detail. The AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition features the same Arabic numerals as the 1953 Co-Pilot. The hand-applied Super-LumiNova recalls the colour of the luminescent material used on the original. The 41.1-millimeter stainless-steel case is also identical, and the bezel is secured by three screws that are placed in precisely the same position as those on the watch from 1953. The syringe hands and domed hesalite crystal matches the original ones. The only visible difference can be found on the water resistance that has improved to 3 bar (30 meters) and the “GENEVA” logo that no longer appears on the dial.
Additional to the stainless-steel version (Ref. AB0920131B1X1, Price: CHF 7’900), Breitling will also be releasing the AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition in two more precious-metal versions. The first model is crafted in 18k red gold (Ref. RB0920131B1X1, Price: ca. CHF 21’000) with a black dial and a brown vintage-inspired leather strap. This version will be limited to 253 pieces with “ONE OF 253” will be engraved on its caseback. The second model has a platinum case (Ref. LB0920131C1X1, Price: ca. CHF 39’000) and features a blue dial and a gold vintage-inspired leather strap. This version will be limited to only 153 pieces with “ONE OF 153” engraved on the back of the platinum case.
