Breitling's Avenger Collection gets a bold update

Breitling recently unveiled its latest iterations of the pilot watches in the Avenger collection, an aviation-inspired series that dates back to 2001. Younger than many of the Swiss watchmaker's classic collections, the Avenger range compensates with its durable and robust designs, crafted for jet pilots and aviation lovers alike.

Echoing the updates seen across other Breitling collections, the new Avenger timepieces come refined and simplified for a more mature look, and are available in three variations: the base Automatic 42, the middle-ground Automatic GMT 44, and the high-end B01 Chronograph 44. All three models add a 300m water resistance rating and can be had with either a military leather strap with a folding pin buckle or a three-row stainless steel bracelet with a micro-adjustable folding clasp.

Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 And Night Mission

The Chronograph stands as the collection's main attraction and packs Breitling's high-end Caliber 01 to prove its credentials. Armed with an impressive 70 hours of power and a generous five-year warranty, the COSC-certified caliber runs at 4Hz with 336 components in tow.

The Chronograph's stainless steel case measures 44mm in diameter and 15.2 mm in thickness with a lug-to-lug span of 53mm, ensuring a striking presence on any wrist, regardless of size. Strap options range from a black, blue, green, or sand-colored military leather strap with a folding pin buckle to a stainless-steel bracelet with a folding clasp.

The dial further accentuates the watch's aviation theme with core colors of blue, green, black, or sand, complemented by baton indexes and a red-tipped chrono hand. A stainless steel 60-minute rotating bezel and a similarly patterned crown round out the design.

The Night Mission version of the Chronograph maintains the same dimensions and specifications but adds a night-time aesthetic. This variant has a scratch resistant ceramic case and bezel, titanium caseback, pushers and buttons and a bold dial in a vibrant yellow or carbon black.

Avenger Automatic GMT 44

While the Automatic GMT 44 shares the same diameter as the chrono, the former comes in a touch slimmer at 12.05 mm, thanks to its smaller and less sophisticated Caliber 32. Also COSC-certified, the caliber 32 comes with a power reserve of 42 hours. The red GMT hand and a 24-hour rotating bezel provide a good Zulu-time reading experience, the Avenger GMT 44's standout detail. The watch's stainless steel case is paired with naval-blue or black dials, a matching military leather strap, or a three-row stainless steel bracelet.

Avenger Automatic 42

Completing the lineup, the stainless steel Avenger Automatic 42 comes in tow for fans of smaller cases. It measures 42mm in diameter and 12.15mm in thickness, offering dial options in black, naval blue, or camo-green. Like its counterparts, it comes with a matching military leather strap or a three-row stainless steel bracelet. The Caliber 17 lies at the heart of the 42, powering its three hands and date counter and offering a power reserve of up to 38 hours.

With updates rolling out across Breitling's various collections, it was only natural for the Avenger series to follow suit. Now enhanced and flaunting a more mature elegance, Breitling hopes these new iterations will make the Avenger collection the preferred choice among pilots and aviation enthusiasts. While the prices have seen an uptick, they continue to offer reasonable value, with the Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 starting at $8,000 and the Night Mission variant at $9,500. The Automatic 44 is available from $5,500, and the 42 model is listed at $4,600.