Breitling Aviator 8 Watches
Breitling is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest pilot’s watches. From the Navitimer to the Chronomat, the Swiss luxury watch brand has consistently proven its expertise in producing timekeepers that pilots depend on. The evidence is in Breitling’s original partnership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). The AOPA adopted the Breitling Navitimer as its official timepiece in the early 1950s. Today, Breitling has introduced a modern group of watches, the Aviator 8 collection, which draws on the heritage of their first pilot’s watches. These contemporary interpretations are available in a wide range of styles and sizes, perfect for the aspirational or professional pilot.
The Breitling Aviator Honors an Incredible Aircraft
The Breitling Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 Mosquito is modeled after the de Havilland Mosquito, one of the most famous planes to see service in World War II. The de Havilland Mosquito was one of the fastest planes in the air at the time, thanks to its innovative construction method. The majority of the plane’s fuselage was made from wood, making it extremely lightweight. It was so lightweight that it could fly faster than the well-known Spitfire, even though both planes used the same engine. This noteworthy version of the Aviator 8 watch honors the de Havilland Mosquito by replicating its distinctive red and orange fuselage markings on its dial. The hands of the Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 Mosquito are painted orange, while the chronograph subdials feature red accents.
Looking Back to 1953
Recently, Breitling introduced a limited-edition watch for its Aviator 8 collection, called the AVI Reference 765 1953 Re-Edition. This fantastic chronograph is a faithful reproduction of the original Co-Pilot Reference 765 AVI, introduced in 1953. The retro look of this timekeeper is brightened by its highly polished bezel and faded yellow plots of luminous paint. Just like on the original Co-Pilot Reference 765 AVI, the minute counter at 3 o’clock is accentuated by markers laid out at three-minute intervals. The story goes that pilots would use this counter to make sure their preflight checks didn’t go overtime. Even the crystal on this watch is faithful to the vintage watch. It uses a domed hesalite crystal (acrylic), which is very appropriate for a pilot’s watch. Acrylic crystals may not be as scratch resistant as sapphire but are much more durable.
A Breitling Aviator 8 for Bomber Pilots
In World War II, bomber pilots had incredibly challenging responsibilities and needed equipment they could rely on and read at a glance. These pilots began wearing their watches on their thighs in an effort to make reading them even easier. The Breitling Aviator Super 8 B20 Automatic 46 is a modern reinterpretation of the watches that these bomber pilots relied on. The oversized bezel on this watch is bidirectional, which is notable because of the difference between it and the unidirectional bezels commonly found on dive watches. A brightly painted triangular pointer on the bezel allows the wearer to easily measure elapsed time, whether or not you’re a bomber pilot.
Certifiable Chronometer Aviation Watches
All the watches in Breitling’s Aviator 8 collection are certified chronometers, which are tested by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) in Switzerland. When looking at the overall output of Swiss watch production, the number of certified chronometers is small — only 3%. This makes the Aviator 8 collection very special and very accurate. The production of chronometers does not only rely on precision mills and lathes. Much of the work needs to be done by master watchmakers, who regulate and adjust the mechanical movement by hand. Adjusting for isochronism is a lengthy process, involving poising the balance, ensuring flatness of the hairspring and adjusting in multiple positions.
Breitling Aviator P-40 Warhawk: A Fitting Tribute to a Very Special WWII Plane
The Breitling Aviator 8 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is a special watch, made to honor one of the most iconic planes in World War II, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American fighter plane that first flew in 1938. It saw extensive use during World War II and was well-known for its painted fuselage, often decorated with a menacing shark face full of sharp teeth. The Aviator 8 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk watch features the same matte green finish that was found on the original aircraft. It also has red and white accents on its dial that match the famous shark face. To top it off, the watch has olive canvas straps that give it a retro military look.
Breitling Aviator 8 Pricing and Availability
The Breitling Aviator 8 collection watches are all very popular on the resale market. The Aviator Super 8 B20 can be found in the range of $3,000 to $4,000, in multiple styles. The Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 Mosquito is another favorite version of the Aviator 8 and often sells in the range of $3,500 to $6,500.