Breitling honors historic aviation
New watch releases honor iconic aircraft
When the hangar doors opened at Dallas Executive Airport’s Commemorative Air Force ramp, the view was breathtaking: Four iconic aircraft roared toward a crowd gathered to celebrate the launch of Breitling’s newest aviation watches. They included a Vought F4U Corsair, a de Havilland Mosquito, a Curtiss P–40 Warhawk, and a North American P–51 Mustang. Their pilots cut the engines in sync and when the aircraft trembled to a stop, the pilots climbed out on the wings and joined Breitling CEO Georges Kern on stage to amazed applause.
Super AVI is the newest watch series from Breitling. It is “a celebration of aviation history” with designs inspired by the watchmaker’s original 1953 “Co-Pilot” aviation watch. Each design honors the iconic aircraft for which it is named, said Kern.
According to Breitling:
- “The Super AVI P-51 Mustang pays homage to the best all-around fighter plane of its era in two distinct versions: a stainless-steel case with a black dial and gold-brown leather strap, and an 18-karat red gold version with an anthracite dial and a black leather strap.
- The Super AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair features a blue dial, tone-on-tone chronograph counters, and a black leather strap that take their design cues from the characteristic livery of the record-breaking naval aircraft.
- The Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk, with its military-green dial, white contrasting chronograph counters, and red accents, plays on its namesake's famous shark-mouth nose art that gave the plane its unmistakable identity.
- The Super AVI Mosquito features a combination polished and satin-brushed black ceramic bezel and a black dial with white contrasting chronograph counters. Its red and orange elements recall the roundels and markings found on the versatile plane, dubbed the ‘Wooden Wonder.’”
“This collection embodies that sense of nostalgia for the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools,” said Kern. “But you don’t have to be a pilot or vintage-aircraft buff to appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship and rugged design.”
Julie Summers Walker
Related Articles
