Breitling Avenger

Watches in the Breitling Avenger collection are professional timepieces designed for both pilots and divers , bridging the gap between flying and diving. Some functions, however, such as the chronograph or second time zone, are primarily meant for pilots. The Avenger II has a chronograph caliber which can time up to 12 hours. Scales for converting into US customary units are engraved on the titanium case back.

Frequent travelers can always keep an eye on the local time as well as a second time zone with the Avenger II GMT. A fourth hand, which makes one full rotation every 24 hours, shows you a second time zone, such as the time back home, for instance.

Professional divers appreciate the robust water resistance of the Avenger II Seawolf: an impressive 3,000 m (300 bar, 9,843 ft). This watch has a helium escape valve, which opens and releases helium atoms when pressure builds up inside the watch. This allows it to perfectly comply with the demands of professional divers. It's comparable to the Superocean Chronograph M2000 from the Superocean series. The M2000 is water resistant to 2,000 m (200 bar, 6,562 ft) and has a chronograph function, which differentiates it from the Avenger II Seawolf.

Are you searching for a wristwatch that has the functionality of a pilot's watch and the robustness of a diving watch? Then the models in the Avenger collection from Breitling are perfect for you. That being said, this series is geared toward people with larger wrists, as they are an impressive 17.5 mm thick and come in at between 43 and 50 mm in diameter. This is true of both the Breitling Avenger and its successor, the Avenger II. While the former was still 45 mm in diameter, the new edition of this chronograph is "only" 16.5 mm thick and 43 mm in diameter. Technologically speaking, these watches are almost identical.

Thanks to the screw-down case back and crown, the watch is water resistant to 300 m (984 ft). The presence of four rider tabs on the bezel characterizes this chronograph. These bezel rider tabs are also featured in other series such as the Chronomat and the Colt. The tabs make it easier to rotate the unidirectional bezel. Additionally, it protects the domed and anti-reflective sapphire glass. Other characteristic features include the fluted crown and stenciled numerals, which call to mind the numerals on airplanes and hangars. The band comes in leather, rubber, textile, or as a three-piece link stainless steel bracelet. The dial is available in black, blue, and gray.

A never-worn 43-mm Avenger II costs around 4,600 USD, while pre-owned models begin around 3,900 USD in good condition. You can save even more by going for a 45-mm Avenger. Prices for this model range from 3,200 to 4,300 USD.

The Super Avenger and Super Avenger II resemble the "normal" models so much that they could be twins. With its 48-mm diameter, the Super Avenger II is well suited for larger wrists. When it comes to straps and dials, Breitling offers similar choices to the smaller models. The automatic chronograph caliber Breitling 13 powers the Avenger II and Super Avenger II. It's based on the ETA Valjoux 7750, which is considered one of the most successful automatic chronograph calibers in the world. Its power reserve lasts 42 hours. The caliber has a small seconds at 9 o'clock, a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock, and a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock. The date is displayed at the 3 o'clock position.

Plan to spend around 4,600 USD for a new Super Avenger II from the current collection. Pre-worn models come in at 3,800 USD. You'll need to dig a bit deeper in your pockets for an older Super Avenger. Depending on its condition, it will cost you anywhere from 4,400 to 5,300 USD.

Long-haul pilots often go through many different time zones. Since the 1950s, they've been using GMT watches so they don't lose track of the time. GMT watches display not only the local time, but also the time in another time zone. The three usual hands for hours, minutes, and seconds display the local time, while a fourth hand—a second hour hand—indicates the time in a second time zone. It makes one full rotation every 24 hours. Together with a 24-hour scale, it tells the time in another time zone: your home time zone, for example. The Breitling Avenger II GMT has two 24-hour scales: one on the edge of the dial and another on the bidirectional bezel, meaning this watch can display up to three time zones at once . Its case is made of stainless steel and is 43 mm in diameter. It's water resistant to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft).

The Breitling caliber 32 powers the Avenger II GMT. The movement is based on the ETA 2893-2. This automatic movement has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, a date display, and a fourth hand to display a second time zone. The balance wheel vibrates at 28,800 A/h. In good condition, this watch goes for as little as 2,900 USD. You'll need to have an additional 480 USD on hand for a never-worn version.At its introduction in 2003, Breitling offered the Avenger Seawolf in titanium with a 44-mm diameter. The case of the current Avenger II Seawolf has grown by one millimeter and is now made of stainless steel. That being said, both editions are extremely robust. They survive depths up to 3,000 m (9,843 ft) , where the surrounding pressure sits at a crushing 300 bar.

There are very few diving watches that can withstand such pressure. One example is the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea, which is water resistant to 3,900 m (390 bar, 12,795 ft). Both the Rolex watch and the Seawolf have a helium escape valve, which equalizes pressure inside the watch. When deep underwater, helium molecules from the air used in diving stations find their way into the watch's case. When the pressure in the surrounding area sinks, excess pressure builds up inside the watch if it doesn't have a helium escape valve. In the worst case scenario, the watch could be seriously damaged.

The case is of the Seawolf is an impressive 12.4 mm thick with a diameter of 18.4 mm and features domed sapphire glass with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. The bezel is uni-directional for the safety of the diver. If the bezel is accidentally moved during the dive, the dive time can only be shortened, not lengthened. The Seawolf is also available in black-coated titanium with a diamond-set bezel. You can choose from a black, gray, or yellow dial. Some older models came with a blue dial. As for the band, you have the choice between leather, textile, rubber, or stainless steel. The watch is powered by the Breitling 17 caliber, which is based on the movement ETA 2824, has a power reserve of around 40 hours, and displays the date at 3 o'clock.

A current Avenger II Seawolf costs 3,500 USD new and 3,100 USD pre-owned. Earlier titanium models are markedly less expensive at between 1,900 and 2,500 USD. Until 2011, Breitling also produced the Seawolf with a chronograph function. Unlike the three-hand variants, the Seawolf Chrono is powered by the SuperQuartz caliber B73. This movement only deviates a few seconds per year. What's more, the chronograph could dive down to 1,000 m (100 bar, 3,281 ft). Prepare to spend around 4,100 USD on one of these timepieces.

The Blackbird is named after one of the fastest and most famous reconnaissance aircraft in the world: the Lockheed SR-71, nicknamed Blackbird. This plane was used by the US Air Force between 1966 and 1998.

Like the plane, the Blackbird is black. Breitling uses coated titanium for the case, which is available with either a 44-mm or 48-mm diameter. The black case, dial, and bezel emphasize the watch's functional design. Its textile strap is sturdy yet comfortable and is available in anthracite and khaki green. The rotatable bezel is unidirectional. Breitling's caliber 17, based on an ETA movement, powers the Blackbird. The Blackbird 44 can be identified by its smaller size and date window, which has a red frame instead of a white one.

The two sizes sell for similar prices. Both the 44 and 48-mm Blackbird timepieces cost around 4,000 USD. At 3,500 USD, pre-owned 44-mm models are about 240 USD more expensive than their 48-mm counterparts.

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that form every year in summer or fall. Breitling made their own storm in the form of the Avenger Hurricane. Its case is made of a newly developed material which Breitling calls " Breitlight." The name is a reference to the material's qualities: It's 5.8 times more lightweight than steel and weighs 3.3 times less than titanium. In terms of hardness, Breitlight beats both stainless steel and titanium. Its surface is matte and reminiscent of carbon fibers. Breitling makes cases, case backs, bezels, and even the push-pieces and crowns from this new material.

The watch's matte black dial with large, white stencil numerals goes well with its military look . Its 24-hour dial is especially worth noting. The hour hand makes one full rotation every 24 hours. Conventional watches with a 12-hour dial make two rotations a day. The 24-hour display has the advantage of immediately indicating whether it's day or night. This can be useful in certain environments where it isn't easy to differentiate between day and night such as the polar circle or in a submarine. Thanks to its large numerals, the watch is also easy to read.

With its large 50-mm diameter, the black Avenger Hurricane catches the eye even from far away. Its yellow, military rubber strap – a mix of rubber and anthracite textile – adds to the watch's imposing look. If you want a strap a little more subdued or completely black, you may enjoy the black rubber strap without a textile inlay or the pure textile strap in anthracite.

Breitling's in-house B12 caliber powers the Hurricane. The movement is based on Breitling's B01 caliber, but has a 24-hour display. It has an impressive 70-hour power reserve and is unique in that its escape wheel and balance wheel have shock protection. This results in a movement that can withstand shocks much better. Its balance frequency is 28,800 A/h. Set aside around 7,200 USD for a never-worn, 50-mm Hurricane. By purchasing a pre-owned model, you can save yourself a good 1,200 USD. If you prefer the smaller version of the Hurricane, expect prices of around 6,900 USD.