A brand-new selection of Breitling Avenger watches has landed, still resolutely robust and confident but with a slightly more refined aesthetic inclusive of brushed case sides and stepped bevels. The new range arrives in three formats: a 44mm chronograph, 44mm automatic GMT and a 42mm time-and-date-only automatic.
As one of the few luxury watch brands in the world with a true aviation heritage, it makes sense as to why Breitling has so many pilot’s watches in their portfolio. But of them all, the Navitimer and Chronomat typically capture the most attention. At the end of the day, these are models going back well over half a century. The Breitling Avenger, on the other hand, didn’t make its debut until 2001. The pilot’s watch is almost the “gym bro” sibling of its better-known counterparts, and found plenty of interest on its relaunch in 2019.
More recently, we’ve seen several of Breitling’s collection take on more “refined” updates. The Breitling Chronomat in particular welcomed sleeker bezels, Rouleaux bracelets and more mature design details on the dials. It was only a matter of time then that the Breitling Avenger was to be revamped in in a similar way. And lo and behold, a new 2023 Breitling Avenger collection has arrived with overhauled cases, straps and dials. There are more than twenty different references to choose from, some with B01 chronograph movements, others with GMT and several standard time-and-date references.
Breitling Avenger Automatic 42
Breitling Avenger Automatic 42 - Credit Breitling
The smallest of the new Breitling Avenger watches is a series of three-handed date models. These are all engineered from stainless steel and measure to 42mm wide and 12.15mm thick. The most noticeable differences between these and older models is that the blocky case shape seems more refined thanks to stepped bevels which flows down the lugs. The case middles are also entirely brushed which helps enhance their more mature aesthetic. These updates can be found across the entire 2023 collection.
Breitling Avenger Automatic 42 - Credit Breitling
The Breitling Avenger Automatic 42 watches have cambered anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass to protect dials in blue, green or black. They have the typical unidirectional rotating timing bezels with 60-minute scales, raised tabs and luminous dots at 12 o’clock. There are also screw-down winding crowns, solid screw-down case backs and 300 metre water resistant ratings. Powering these novelties is the Swiss brand’s Calibre 17 automatic winding movement with chronometer certification, a 38-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800vph. Finally, each Breitling Avenger Automatic 42 watch comes with either a sturdy steel bracelet or a military leather strap coloured in the same hue as its dial.
Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 44
For a bit of added complication, the new Breitling Avenger line-up reveals a selection of GMT-equipped models. These have almost the exact same design traits and specifications as their time-and-date models, but with an added red-coloured GMT hand at the centre. They are offered in stainless steel with 44m wide and 12.05mm thick cases with cambered sapphire crystal glass, a screw in crown, screw down case backs and 300 metre water resistant ratings.
Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 44 - Credit Breitling
The bezels differ in that they are bi-directional rotating and have 24-hour markings instead of 60-minute scales. Rather than having minute tracks printed on the chapter ring, they also have a fixed 24-hour scale on dials of black or blue. Superluminova is still generously applied across the applied markers and hands, including the red GMT hand. The complication is powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 32 automatic winding movement. It arrives with a 42-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800vph. Once again, straps of metal or military leather can be chosen.
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 - Credit Breitling
My personal favourite addition to the new 2023 Breitling Avenger collection is the selection of B01-powered chronographs. Available with a muted blue, mint green, beige or black dial, the novelty comes in larger than before at 44mm wide and 15.2mm thick. They remain engineered from stainless steel with unidirectional rotating bezels with 60 minute scales, cambered anti-reflective sapphire crystal and screw in crowns for a 300 metre water resistant rating. This time, however, the case back – while still screw down – is also exhibition allowing for a view of the automatic movement inside.
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 - Credit Breitling
Displayed through the case back is the in-house Breitling Calibre 01 movement with a healthy 70-hour power reserve and 28,800vph frequency. There’s the same column-wheel and vertical-clutch chronograph mechanism and a mass of complication including 1/4th second, 30 minutes and 12 hours. These features are displayed on contrasting black counters and controlled using the oblong steel pushers on the right side of the case. Three-row link stainless steel bracelets or military leather straps in black, blue, green or tan complete the exterior.
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission - Credit Breitling
The final addition to the new 2023 Breitling Avenger watch collection is two rather noteworthy “Night Mission” models. Watches with this nickname swap out the traditional stainless steel architecture for ones of black ceramic and titanium. They still stand at 44mm wide and 15.2mm tall but oft for black ceramic across the entire case and unidirectional rotating bezel with titanium utilised for the screw in crown and chronograph pushers.
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission - Credit Breitling
There’s the same cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, exhibition case backs, 300 metre water resistant ratings and the Breitling Calibre B01 automatic winding movement. For the dials, you can choose from one in bright yellow with contrasting black sub-counters or an incredibly stealthy black display forged from carbon fibre. To match the dials, the Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission watches come with black or yellow military leather straps with titanium folding buckles.
The entire re-designed Breitling Avenger collection is available to order now. The Avenger Automatic 42 models retail at £3,550 on a strap or £3,800 on the metal bracelet. The Avenger Automatic GMT 44 is priced at £4,150 on military leather and £4,400 on bracelet. Meanwhile, the Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 watches are available for £6,350 on strap and £6,600 on bracelet and both Night Mission models can be ordered for £7,450.
Our Choice of Straps
If you’d prefer a totally different look for one of these Breitling Avenger watches, we also have several straps here at Watch Gecko that would completely change up the aesthetic. Our Ostend Baranil Thick Padded Leather Watch Strap would dress up the masculine pilot’s watches nicely, and with so many colours to choose from, you’d have plenty of play around with to match or contrast your chosen dial colour.
Another fantastic strap choice would be our ZULUDIVER 1973 British Military Watch Strap. The greyed and black stripes would look particularly good with the black-dialled Avenger Automatic and Avenger Automatic GMT models. It would add to their already distinctive miliary-inspired aesthetics while offering an insanely comfortable fit.
