Introducing the Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang Watch

The new Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang has a special knurled bezel for an easy grip underneath gloves and can be enjoyed on a metal bracelet or a calfskin leather strap that nods to classic flight gear. The watch in honour of the famous P-51 Mustang aircraft is offered in a black or anthracite dial and features a chronograph tool for measuring elapsed timings easily.

Watches from Breitling’s Super AVI collection reference some of the brand’s most important pilot wristwatches to date. When the series was first released back in 2021, the collection was described by Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling as embodying “…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 original model – the Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang watch – was a watch for world travellers which we covered in great detail. It had 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, reminded 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.

This year Breitling has launched a new watch named the Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang. Smaller in size from its predecessor, the watch foregoes the 24 inner scale but is still inspired by the ref. 765 AVI. The aircraft, which was built in a mere 120 days by North American Aviation had low drag wings and an innovative 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. 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-around finest piston-engine fighters of World War II and was produced in significant numbers.

The new Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang

Before we delve into the details of the new Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang, let’s take a look at the 2021 model. The Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 P-51 Mustang was made available in a stainless steel version with a classic black dial and a striking gold brown leather strap, or you could have opted for an 18ct rose gold version with an anthracite-coloured dial adorned with a classic black leather strap. Both models were 100-meter water-resistant and topped with a scratch-resistant and anti-reflective cambered sapphire crystal glass front. An exhibition caseback was adorned with an image of the much-loved P-51 Mustang aircraft and its case was 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.

Packed inside the watch was the in-house Breitling Manufacture B04 movement. Equipped with a vertical clutch and column wheel for overall enhanced mechanical performance, the movement produces a useful 70-hour power reserve and beats at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It also controlled the tone-on-tone black chronograph counters laid out in the 3-6-9 layout, with a red-tipped GMT hand that pointed to a 24-hour scale on the inner bezel flange. The rose gold version featured an anthracite dial with sleek black-filled chronograph counters that paired nicely with a black calfskin leather strap.

The new Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang measures a smaller diameter of 42mm and comes in options of a black or anthracite dial once again. The black dial is framed with a stainless steel case and bezel whilst the anthracite dial is elevated by a luxurious 18ct rose gold case and bezel. In the conventional steel version, you can purchase the model on a stainless steel link bracelet or tan brown calf leather strap with contrast stitching down the sides. Alternatively, the rose gold iteration is complete on a matching metal bracelet with a butterfly clasp or a charcoal black calf leather strap with a folding clasp engraved with the Breitling logo.

Both the new steel and rose gold Classic AVI P-51 Mustang watches in steel or rose gold are equipped with a bidirectional rotating bezel and offer a water resistance of 100 meters. A screw-down crown at 3 o’clock and a strong piece of cambered sapphire crystal glass on the top of the case help it to uphold its water-resistant capability. The sapphire glass has also been treated with layers of anti-reflective treatment to ensure a clear view of the dial. Beige luminous material applied to the hands and Arabic numerals on both the anthracite and black dials help give the P-51 Mustang watch by Breitling a slightly vintage-inspired edge, leaving the chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock to perform effortlessly under the operation of the push-pieces at 2 o’clock 4 o’clock. The chronograph functions include central seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, and are accompanied by a 9 o’clock sub-dial for the running seconds. The central chrono seconds hand is also adorned with a bright red tip.

The new Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang watches are powered by the Breitling Calibre 23, based on the ETA 7753. It comprises 27 jewels and beats to the rhythm of 28,800 oscillations per hour whilst delivering a full power reserve of 42 hours. It sits behind a steel caseback engraved with an image of the Mustang aircraft, as well as lettering that denotes the watch’s 100-meter water resistance.

With its special knurled bezel for gripping under gloves, a calfskin strap that nods to classic flight gear, and a COSC-certified movement - the new Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang watches for 2021 are perfect for those who appreciate values of legibility and wearability. For more information call our sales team at Jura Watches on 0135 453453.