THE STORY

From brave first takeoffs to the birth of commercial air travel, Breitling’s history is inseparable from that of flight. In the 1930s, Breitling’s Huit Aviation department made its name inventing precision cockpit clocks. Two decades later, it introduced yet another novel flight instrument, this time in wearable form: the Ref. 765 AVI. That pioneering pilot’s watch provided the technical backdrop for today’s Super AVI, a collection inspired by the rugged spirit of famed early aircraft. The Super AVI Mosquito honors one of those legends. In an era when aluminum and steel shortages were common, the engineers behind the de Havilland Mosquito made use of a still plentiful material: wood. The “Wooden Wonder” caused shockwaves when it outperformed its metal contemporaries to become one of the fastest planes built between 1940 and 1950. Its superior maneuverability allowed it to multitask in roles as far ranging as light bomber, transport, and photographic reconnaissance aircraft. This Super AVI Mosquito gets its inspo from the Night Fighter 2, an all-black two-seater aircraft meant to slip stealthily through the night sky. As a true pilot’s watch designed to withstand the rigors of a vintage cockpit, the Super AVI Mosquito features large, highly legible Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel. The overall black ceramic case contrasts strikingly with the titanium pushers, crown, caseback, and buckle. The knurled bezel provides optimal grip, even in a pilot’s gloved hands. The military-leather strap gives a nod to classic flight gear. Pilots and other travelers will appreciate the ability to track a second time zone using the 24-hour marking on the inner bezel and the white-tipped GMT hand. The engine of the Super AVI is the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B04 movement, which provides approximately 70-hours of power reserve.