In-depth Look at the Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT P-51 Mustang

The Super AVI P-51 Mustang iteration from Breitling’s new Super AVI watch collection pays homage to a historical warcraft plane – the P-51 Mustang. It comes in a choice of classic stainless steel or sumptuous 18ct rose gold and features a GMT function for effortless time zone-hopping.

When it comes to creating aviation instruments, Breitling is a fully-fledged expert. From its earlier wrist-worn chronograph modes like the Ref. 765 AVI pilot’s watch, nicknamed the “Co-Pilot” to more recent interpretations like the AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition – the brand’s links to the aeronautical industry are inextricable and it is this close relationship between piloting and timekeeping that enables the watchmaker to release models like the new Super AVI P-51 Mustang. The chronograph wristwatch is available in stainless steel or a more luxurious 18ct rose gold and joins its siblings; the Super AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair watch, with a blue tone-on-tone chronograph dial, the Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk, with a military green dial, and the Super AVI Mosquito, with a reverse panda chronograph dial. The collection they belong to is named the Super AVI and references some of the brand’s most important pilot wristwatches to date.

Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling extends; “This collection embodies that sense of nostalgia for the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools, but you don’t have to be a pilot or vintage-aircraft buff to appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship and rugged design.”

The Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang watch has a distinctive design with large Arabic numeral hour markers, a broad 46mm case diameter, an oversized crown and an in-house Breitling Manufacture movement. The model, along with the rest of its companions belonging to the same series, reminds fans of a time when wrist-worn chronograph watches were a pilot’s trusted flight instrument – a time before the boundless capabilities of modern technology. The collection is defined by its robust aesthetics and enduring precision.

Breitling Creative Director Sylvain Berneron explains; “Our watchmaking DNA is what dominates here, while the interpretations of the four aircraft give the series its emotion and bold graphic appeal. Taken together, these elements evoke the spirit of early flight. We can’t forget that Breitling pioneered aviation tool watches like the Ref. 765 AVI. That heritage is so strong, we had to not only keep it intact, but rewrite it for the 21st century.” 

P-51 Mustang aircraft

The P-51 Mustang aircraft took a mere 120 days to develop and featured low-drag wings and an engine cooling system. When the single-seat fighter first took off in 1940 it was considered somewhat of an experimental model but wowed its creators with unprecedented speed and range. Designed and produced by North America Aviation, the aircraft was developed for the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and was later adopted by the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF). It was regarded as one of the world’s all-round finest piston-engine fighters of World War II and was produced in significant numbers.

The new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang watch

The new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang watch is available in a stainless steel version with a classic black dial and a striking gold brown leather strap, or an 18ct rose gold version with an anthracite-coloured dial adorned with a classic black leather strap. Both models are 100-meter water-resistant and topped with a scratch-resistant and anti-reflective cambered sapphire crystal glass front. The same materials are chosen for the viewing window, secured on the rear of the case, offering a clear and unobstructed view of the in-house movement in motion. This exhibition caseback is adorned with an image of the much-loved P-51 Mustang aircraft. The case of the new Breitling Super AVI P-51 Mustang watch is equipped with a ratcheted bidirectional bezel in steel, as well as a screw-down crown with two gaskets for upholding the watch’s water resistance. The knurled bezel and crown also promote an easy grip through pilot gloves.

The steel Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang watch is offered on a tone-on-tone black dial with chronograph counters laid out in the 3-6-9 layout, offering small second, 12-hour and 30-minute functions. The 12-hour totaliser is combined with a legible date window. The central chronograph hand offers 1/4th of a second function, whilst the red-tipped GMT hand points to a 24-hour scale on the inner bezel flange. The Arabic numeral hour markers and central hour and minute hands are treated with Super-LumiNova material and glow richly in the dark. Echoing the same layout and functions is the brand’s 18ct rose gold version of the Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang watch. The only difference here is the anthracite-coloured dial with black-filled chronograph counters which, when paired with a very classic-looking black calfskin leather strap with white stitching, creates an arresting finish on the wrist. The steel version is completed on a brown pilot-inspired calfskin leather strap with off-white contrast stitching for a vintage edge.

Driving the hands around both black and anthracite-coloured dials is the in-house Breitling Manufacture B04 movement. The self-winding engine is equipped with a vertical clutch and column wheel for an overall enhanced and smooth mechanical performance. The movement produces a useful 70-hour power reserve and beats at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

If you’d like more information on the 18ct rose gold or stainless steel version of the new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang watch, you can view each model here, or call our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453 to discuss the watches in person.

Technical specifications of the new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang watch

• Case: 46mm – stainless steel/18ct rose gold – 100-meter water-resistant – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – sapphire exhibition caseback adorned with an image of the P-51 Mustang aircraft – screwed-in crown with two gaskets – polished steel bidirectional ratcheted bezel – oversized crown
• Dial: Black/Anthracite – chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock – small seconds, 12-hour and 30-minute totalisers – Super-LumiNova-coated hour and minute hands and stick markers – red-tipped GMT hand – 24-hour scale – red-tipped 1/4th of a second chronograph hand
• Movement: Breitling Manufacture B04 movement – self-winding – in-house developed – 70-hour power reserve – bidirectional ball-bearing – column-wheel – vertical clutch – 28,800 v.p.h – 1/4th of a second, 30-minute, 12-hour, small seconds, hours, minutes, date, second time zone functions – COSC-certified
• Strap – Brown/Black – pilot-inspired – calfskin leather – stainless steel/18ct rose gold folding buckle – engraved with the Breitling logo
• Reference: AB04453A1B1X1 / RB04451A1B1X1
• Price: £7,900