For more than two decades, the Breitling Avenger has had a firm place in the Grenchen-based company’s portfolio. The watch was specially designed for jet pilots to withstand the extreme conditions in the cockpit. However, the Avenger appeals not only to pilots, but also to civilians who appreciate the fast-paced design, robustness and functionality of the line. Breitling is now giving the collection a facelift, reducing it to the Chronograph, GMT and Automatic.
Breitling’s connection to aviation dates back to the 1930s, when Willy Breitling created the HUIT Aviation Department to develop aviation instruments and pilot chronographs. With the emergence of military aviation and the rise of commercial air travel, the Navitimer, the AVI Co-Pilot, the Aerospace, the Emergency and the Avenger were born.
The new Avenger collection
With the recently adapted design, the Avenger now also conforms to the new Breitling vibe. Accordingly, the winged Breitling logo has given way to the polished ‘B’. The chronographs get rectangular pushers, and the B01 calibre is now visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. There is a choice of three colours: blue, green or sand. The rotating bezels have slightly protruding screws to improve grip. In addition, the case profiles have been slightly tweaked.
In addition, there are two Breitling Avenger Night Mission models with ceramic cases. The dial is either carbon or a radiant yellow (previously seen on the Seawolf-models). Inside the all the chronographs is still the workhorse Breitling B01. The in-house calibre with column wheel and vertical clutch is visible via the new sapphire crystal caseback.
The Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT models naturally offer an additional time zone. The case remains sturdy, although slightly narrower than the chronograph. On the dials, Breitling has cleaned up and switched to a new seconds hand with a luminous tip. Here, too, we see the new applied Breitling ‘B’. As with all models, there is also a date window.
Last but not least, the Breitling Avenger Automatic 42 makes an appearance as a classic sports watch. In black, blue or green, it features a rotating bezel and an automatic chronometer movement based on ETA mechanics. The useful date function is also present at 3 o’clock.
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44
The new Breitling Avenger Chronograph comes in a slightly smaller case with a diameter of 44 mm. The height is an imposing 15.2 mm. The stainless steel case features brushed surfaces that also emphasise the sturdy appearance. Particularly striking are the grip pattern on the crown and the new square pushers, which are designed to ensure smooth timekeeping. The bezel with 60-minute graduation is unidirectional. Slightly protruding screws provide extra grip. The 12 also bears a luminous dot for orientation.
The chronographs are distinguished by their coloured dials in blue, green, black or sand. The chronograph counters, however, stand out in deep black. One detail is the red 5-minute markers that can be seen on the minute counter at 3 o’clock. The time intervals, which are important for pilots, are a reminder of the connection to aviation.
A black ring with minute track also winds around the dial of the Breitling Avenger Chronograph. The time is indicated by two main hands together with baton indices. The chronograph hand is accentuated with a flamboyant red tip. All bear Super-LumiNova so as to provide legibility in the dark. Also new is the applied Breitling B, which replaces the winged version.
The Breitling calibre B01 is revealed through the sapphire crystal caseback. Known for its reliability, the movement offers 70 hours of power autonomy and bears the COSC chronometer certificate. The integrated chronograph comes with a column wheel and a vertical clutch. Last but not least, it offers a date at 6 o’clock.
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission
The Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission has a particularly bold design. The case and bezel are made of scratch-resistant ceramic. By contrast, the caseback, crown, pushers and buckle are of titanium.
There is a choice of a version with a black carbon dial or a yellow dial. Both have Arabic numerals instead of baton indices for improved legibility. Both models come with a black or yellow military leather strap with a titanium buckle that matches the dial.
Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 44
Its GMT function allows an additional time zone to be displayed in the 24-hour format. The Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 44 has the same diameter as the chronographs but a more compact profile. The steel case measures 12.05 mm in height. The solid case back is a screw-down. The 24-hour bezel here can be turned to both sides and has black numerals. This watch also has a water resistance of 300 metres.
The Breitling calibre 32 provides the necessary thrust here. It is based on the ETA 2893-2 in the COSC version and has a Breitling rotor. It thus offers a power reserve of 42 hours and a frequency of 4 hertz. The GMT hand can be set independently: In the first position, turning the crown forward increments the GMT hand by the hour. Turning the crown counterclockwise sets the date.
Breitling Avenger Automatic 42
The collection can be admired in its purest form with the Avenger Automatic 42. This three-handed watch with date has a steel case measuring 42 mm in diameter and 12.15 mm in height. The three variants come with either a black, blue, or green dial. The combination of matt, dark dials and applied indices ensures optimal readability. A framed date window completes the sports watch. Here, too, the engraved steel bezel can be rotated to be used as a timer.
Inside the Breitling Avenger Automatic is the B17 calibre based on the ETA 2824-2. This movement has a power reserve of 38 hours and a frequency of 4 hertz. Also, the movement is a certified COSC-Chronometer which ensures quality and accuracy. It remains hidden behind the solid caseback.
FEATURES
BRAND | Breitling |
MODEL | Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission Avenger Automatic GMT 44 Avenger Automatic 42 |
REFERENCE | Chronograph AB0147101B1X1, AB0147101B1A1, AB0147101C1X1, AB0147101C1A1, AB0147101L1X1, AB0147101L1A1, AB0147101A1X1, AB0147101A1A1 Night Mission SB0147101B1X1, SB0147101I1X1, SB0147101I1X2 GMT A32320101B1X1, A32320101B1A1, A32320101C1X1, A32320101C1A1 Automatic A17328101B1X1, A17328101B1A1, A17328101C1X1, A17328101C1A1, A17328101L1X1, A17328101L1A1 |
CASE MATERIAL | Stainless steel or Ceramic and titanium (Night Mission) |
DIMENSIONS | Chronograph Diameter: 44 mm Height: 15.2 mm GMT Diameter: 44 mm Height: 12.05 mm Automatic Diameter: 42 mm Height: 12.15 mm |
WATER RESISTANCE | 30 bar (~300 m) |
DIAL | Chronograph Black with black counters or blue, green or sand with contrasting black chronograph counters Night Mission Carbon black with black chronograph counters or yellow with contrasting black chronograph counters GMT Black or blue Automatic Black, blue or green |
STRAP/BRACELET | Chronograph Colour-coordinated military leather straps with folding clasp or pin buckle or Stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp Night Mission Black or yellow military leather strap with titanium folding clasp or pin buckle GMT Black or blue military leather strap with folding clasp or pin buckle or stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp Automatic Black, blue or green military leather strap with folding or pin buckle or stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp |
MOVEMENT | Chronograph Breitling B01 Night Mission Breitling B01 GMT Breitling 32 (ETA 2893-2) Automatic Breitling 17 (ETA 2824-2) |
MOVEMENT TYPE | Automatic |
POWER RESERVE | Chronograph 70 hours Night Mission 70 hours GMT 42 hours Automatic 38 hours |
FREQUENCY | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) |
FUNCTIONS | Chronograph Chronograph, Rotating bezel, Hours, Minutes, Small seconds, Date Night Mission Chronograph, rotating bezel, hours, minutes, small seconds, date GMT Second time zone, 24-hour rotating bezel, hours, minutes, seconds, date Automatic Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
PRICE | Chronograph EUR 7,600 (Strap) EUR 7,900 (Bracelet) Night Mission EUR 8,900 (Yellow dial) EUR 9,100 (Carbon dial) GMT EUR 5,100 (Strap) EUR 5,400 (Bracelet) Automatic EUR 4.400 (Strap) EUR 4.700 (Bracelet) |