Breitling has stood for precision, functionality, and unmistakable design since 1884. Over decades, the brand has established itself as a major player in the luxury watch industry with its innovative chronographs and robust pilot’s watches. Iconic models such as the Navitimer, Top Time, and Superocean combine technical innovation with sporty elegance. Breitling watches inspire pilots, athletes, and adventurers with their robust construction and precise in-house movements. I’m presenting my four personal favorites – timepieces that impress with their design, performance, and tradition and thus reflect the unmistakable style of the brand.
Avi 765 Re-Edition: Legendary Pilot’s Watch Reinterpreted
The Breitling AVI ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition (AB09451A1B1X1), limited to just 164 pieces, is a faithful reissue of the legendary Co-Pilot ref. 765. Breitling presented the watch to pilots in 1953, but it was also very popular with the general public in the 1960s. Designed as a pilot’s watch, the original stood out with its functional design and excellent readability – characteristics that the re-edition retains. The brand combines historical authenticity with modern technology and remains almost completely faithful to the original model in terms of design and proportions. A synthetic crystal rounds off the vintage vibe of the chronograph. The Avi 765 Re-Edition features a black dial with three subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The first subdial is unique in that it is slightly larger than the others and serves as a 15-minute counter. Pilots used to use this subdial, also known as the “Big Eye,” to time how long it took the ground crew to refuel aircraft during stopovers. Inside the 41-mm watch ticks the Breitling Caliber B09, a hand-wound mechanical movement based on the renowned Caliber B01 and offering a power reserve of 70 hours. A black leather strap also ensures the authentic vintage character of the original. With water resistance to 30 m (98 ft, 3 bar), the watch is only protected against splashes of water. You can buy an Avi 765 Re-Edition AB09451A1B1X1 in mint condition for around $9,300 on Chrono24. Due to its limited release and low availability, the watch is perfect for collectors.
Top Time B01 Ford Mustang: Homage to the muscle car?
Breitling introduced the Top Time collection back in the 1960s as a more affordable alternative to the brand’s other lines, some of which were considerably more expensive. The target group was a primarily younger crowd. After the series had disappeared from the scene for a few decades, Breitling presented the Top Time Classic Cars collection in 2021. The Top Time B01 Ford Mustang (AB01762A1L1X1) is part of the collection and dedicated to the legendary 1960s American sports car of the same name. Inspired by the legendary, first Ford Mustang, the watch combines striking design elements with modern technology and is symbolic of performance and freedom. The Top Time B01 Ford Mustang is characterized by its bright green dial, the color of which is reminiscent of the sports car’s paintwork. The watch offers a classic chronograph function with subdials in squircle format at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The term squircle describes the neither round nor angular shape of the subdials, which is reminiscent of the on-board instruments on classic dashboards. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal. It is powered by the in-house Breitling B01 movement, which is located behind the solid case back of the 42-mm stainless steel watch. The automatic movement has a power reserve of 70 hours. The watch is water-resistant to 100 m (328 ft, 10 bar) and is available with either a stainless steel bracelet or a brown, perforated racing-style leather strap. A Breitling Top Time B01 Ford Mustang is priced at around $6,700 for an example in mint condition. The model thus offers excellent value for money for a sporty chronograph with a unique look and manufacture caliber.
Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43
The Navitimer is probably Breitling’s most successful model and has been one of the world’s best-known pilot’s watches since the 1950s. Its iconic design is characterized above all by its slide rule bezel, which was once used by pilots to calculate important flight parameters. The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 (ref. AB0138211B1A1) is a modern reinterpretation that, at 43 mm, is slightly larger than its legendary predecessor, which has a diameter of 41 mm. Although this makes the watch a little more prominent on the wrist, it offers excellent wearing comfort thanks to a lug-to-lug of less than 49 mm. The water resistance is 30 m (98 ft, 3 bar), which means the model is only protected against splashes of water. The watch is worn on Breitling’s seven-piece link stainless steel bracelet. As is typical for the classic Navitimer, the dial of this model is executed in black. The subdials for the chronograph function are located at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and a date is also discreetly integrated at 6. While vintage Navitimer watches are fitted with Plexiglass, the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 boasts a modern sapphire crystal. As in the Top Time Ford Mustang, the Breitling Caliber B01 sets the pace in this Navitimer. The Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 is available in new condition for just under $8,000. For this price, you get a modern chronograph with a legendary look and all the right parameters. In my opinion, the water resistance could have been a little higher, but that’s a relatively minor complaint.
Breitling Superocean Heritage B20
Breitling presented timepieces aimed at professional divers under the name Superocean as early as the 1950s. Today, there are numerous variants in the brand’s range, which you can find under the name Superocean Heritage. One of these models is the Superocean Heritage B20 (ref. AB2010121B1A1), a classic three-hand watch made of stainless steel. With a diameter of “just” 42 mm, the watch is one of the smaller watches in the wider Superocean Heritage collection. Thanks to a completely polished case, the Superocean Heritage B20 has a certain “bling effect,” which is further enhanced by the shiny ceramic bezel. The black dial is likewise shiny and features silver applied line indices ending in luminous dots made of Super-LumiNova. Overall, the dial is clean and simple, making it easy to read even in poor lighting conditions. The Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 is equipped with a sapphire crystal that protects the watch from water and other environmental influences. With a water resistance of 200 m (656 ft, 20 bar), the watch is also suitable for diving. The model is available on either a stainless steel Milanese bracelet or a black leather strap with white stitching. The Breitling caliber B20 sets the pace. This movement is based on the Tudor caliber MT5612. In addition to the hour, minute, and second displays, the caliber also features a date display at the 6 o’clock position. The power reserve of the B20 is 70 hours. On Chrono24, an unworn example of the Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 on a stainless steel bracelet costs an average of $4,900. This puts the watch in competition with the Tudor Heritage Black Bay or Omega Seamaster 300, for example. Here, you’re getting a modern diving watch that is suitable for all occasions. As always, personal taste is the deciding factor when it comes to aesthetics.
