A high-flying throwback to the legendary Mosquito
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 and spiritual backdrop for today’s Classic AVI, a collection inspired by the rugged spirit of famed early aircraft.
Classic AVI Mosquito honors one of those legends. In an era when aluminum and steel shortages were common, the engineers behind the de Havilland Mosquito made use of a still plentiful material: wood. The “Wooden Wonder” caused shockwaves when it outperformed its metal contemporaries to become one of the fastest planes built between 1940 and 1950. Its superior maneuverability allowed it to multitask in roles as far ranging as light bomber, night-fighter, transport and photographic reconnaissance aircraft.
As a true pilot’s watch designed to withstand the rigors of both a vintage and modern cockpit alike, the Classic AVI Mosquito features highly legible Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel. The oversized crown and knurled bezel on its sturdy 42mm 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. The engine of the Classic AVI is the tried-and-true COSC-certified Breitling Calibre 23 chronograph movement.
Specifications
- Case: 42mm Stainless steel
- Movement: Breitling Calibre 23
- Functions: Self-winding mechanical with 30 minute, 12 hour, and running seconds totalizers
- Power reserve: approx. 42 hrs
- Caseback: Screwed in with engraving of vintage aircraft
- Water resistance: 100 meters (330 ft)
- Bezel: 12-hour bi-directional, ratcheted
- Crown: Screw-locked, two gaskets
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Strap: Five-link stainless steel bracelet