Breitling first introduced the Avenger series in 2001, which were pilot watches in the mid-price segment to compliment their Navitimer and Professional series. This week Breitling had events across the globe to present several new watches, including a refresh of the Avenger series. The refresh is the brainchild of recently appointed CEO of Breitling, Georges Kern. Mr. Kern was previously the CEO of IWC, and joined Breitling in 2017. His influence is visible in the transformation of Breitling’s portfolio with the consolidation of various series into land, air, and sea, and taking cues from vintage pieces for design and case size.
The introduction to Avenger pilot watches was done in collaboration with three brand ambassadors – astronaut Scott Kelly, decorate Spanish Airwoman Rocío González Torres, and world champion drone pilot Luke Bannister. If you are wondering why three ambassadors? The answer to that is provided by Mr. Kern, who stated that “I don’t believe in individuals, especially in advertising—because everybody is doing individuals and nobody knows anymore which celebrity belongs to which brand. Having a team will make us different and will give us flexibility.” Hence Breitling announced a new marketing concept of squads: By creating three-person groups whose members are all recognized masters in their respective fields.
What is new with the relaunch of Avenger series? Essentially Breitling has merged the original Avenger pilot watches with their now phased-out, Colt pilot watches. The newly revamped series covers a broad range of case sizes from 48mm down to 43mm; a variety of dial colors; selection of straps and bracelets; and finally, complications from time-only, chronograph, to 24-hour GMT. The new watches retain the rider tabs on their unidirectional ratcheted bezels and the modified ETA movements. There are total of 37 pilot watches in the Avenger lineup!
The Breitling Super Avenger Chronograph 48 has a stainless-steel case with a unidirectional ratcheted bezel, and black dial. The chronograph is powered by modified Valjoux 7750 automatic movement which are COSC certified. The hands and indexes are coated with Superluminova. The sub-dials are in the 12 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock positions and the date window is at 3 o’clock. It is available with an anthracite leather military strap with either a pin or folding buckle or with a stainless-steel bracelet with a folding clasp. The Super Avenger Night Mission Chronograph 48 case is constructed from DLC-coated titanium and has stenciled Arabic numerals on a blue dial. The Super Avenger 48 watches have a retail price between $5,400 – $6,000 depending on steel/titanium case and strap/bracelet option.
The Breitling Avenger Chronograph 45 has stainless steel case and is available in either black or blue dial variation. It inherits the same features from the 48mm big brother. The Super Avenger 45 Night Mission has a DLC-coated titanium case and is available in either black or green dial. The green dial with the dark titanium stands out the most from all the Super Avenger chronograph lineup. The retail price of the 45mm series is also between $5,400 – $6,000 depending on steel/titanium case and strap/bracelet option.
The Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 45 has a stainless steel case with blue dial and a GMT hand for second time zone in addition to the central hour, minutes, and seconds. Night Mission variation has the DLC-coated titanium case with a black dial. Both the GMT watches are powered by modified ETA 2893 automatic movement with COSC certification. Avenger GMT 45 is priced between $4,000 – $5,000 depending on the variation and strap options. The Breitling Avenger Automatic 45 Seawolf has a stainless steel case with a bright yellow dial. Night Mission variation has the DLC-coated titanium case with a black dial. Both the watches are powered by modified ETA 2824 automatic movement with COSC certification. Avenger Automatic 45 Seawolf is priced between $4,000 – $5,000 depending on the variation and strap options.
The Breitling Super Avenger Chronograph 43 only comes in stainless-steel case with a unidirectional ratcheted bezel, and black or blue dial. The chronograph is powered by modified Valjoux 7750 automatic movement which are COSC certified. The hands and indexes are coated with Superluminova. The sub-dials are in the 12 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock positions and the date window is at 3 o’clock. The Super Avenger 48 watches have a retail price between $5,400 – $6,000 depending on steel/titanium case and strap/bracelet option.
To round up the final collection is the entry-level Breitling Avenger Automatic 43 with a stainless steel case and either a black or blue dial. It has a screwed-down crown with double gaskets for 300-meter water rating. The watches are powered by modified ETA 2824 automatic movement with COSC certification. Avenger Automatic 43 is priced between $3,500 – $3,750 depending on the variation and strap options.
Breitling has exhaustive number of options within the Avenger series with combination of case size, dial colors, complications, and straps for a broad appeal. I have couple of minor complaints – the date on entire Avenger collection has the default white date wheel. It would have been nice to have matching color date wheel. The second observation is the omission of titanium case in 43mm chronograph and time-only watches, which could have been very popular.