Reviewing the Breitling Avenger GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition

Limited to just 2000 pieces worldwide, the new military-inspired Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission watch combines an ergonomically lightweight case with a useful 24-hour scale for utilizing in the skies or on the ground.

Whether a newbie to the world of Breitling watches or a dedicated, experienced collector, it would be hard to argue that Breitling has been one of the industry’s best-performing luxury watch brands over the last couple of years. Now under the direction of CEO Georges Kern, the company has committed itself to re-energizing and reinventing some of its steadfast models of the past without straying too far in another direction. The Breitling Avenger GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition watch underscores this approach to watchmaking.

Let’s quickly rewind to 2019. Breitling launched two new references. The Avenger Automatic GMT 45 and its Night Mission sibling. One of the key features of these watches was their red GMT hand (now substituted for yellow) which proved itself both simple to read and easy to differentiate from the hour and minute hands. In the same way to the new Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition watch - these predecessors offered a unidirectional rotating bezel that could quite easily be used as a 60-minute timer. Add to that, the large 45mm diameter of the new and previous Avenger 45 GMT watches, and this model is certainly a unique and daring size to contend with on the current market.

About the Breitling Avenger watch

The Avenger watch by Breitling originally debuted in 2001. Created for aerial adventures, the collection was developed in honour of the brand’s pioneering role within the aviation industry. Cleverly, the design of the Avenger unites the key qualities of the Navitimer and the Aviator 8. Rolling both personalities into one, the Breitling Avenger sits comfortably on the wrist of those specialising in mastering the skies from the ground, as well as those navigating from the cockpit. Breitling cemented its roots within the aviation industry by developing cockpit clocks back in the 1930s and 40s, with some of the most prestigious airlines relying on Breitling’s legibility and accuracy.

As part of its #squadonamission campaign and to support the core design of the functional Avenger watch, Breitling assembled an Aviation Pioneers Squad represented by airborne disciplines and specialists. Advocates include astronaut Scott Kelly, Spanish Air Force commandant Rocio Gonzalez Torres and world champion drone pilot Luke Bannister. Breitling has equipped the pilot’s watches from its Avenger collection with Super-LumiNova coated dial elements to offer optimal legibility at all times.

The Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition

The new Limited Edition Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission, dressed in black and Khaki tones, makes the popular Breitling Avenger just that little bit more interesting. What has always made for a good look on the wrist is the mix of stencil-style hour markers and indexes. It is, however, the military green dial and black coated case from which the Night Mission variation takes its name. Quite clearly it excludes a sense of strength and robustness, with its 45mm case crafted from titanium, equipped with 300-meter water resistance. The material has been widely used by Breitling for its cases, offering a stronger yet lightweight alternative to the more common stainless steel. The DLC coating applied to the surface of the case stands for Diamond Like Carbon coating and increases the surface hardness of the titanium further, not to mention giving it a sleek and dynamic finish on the wrist. Breitling has always been clever in its application of DLC coated cases, opting for a finish that is more anthracite in colour as opposed to black, lending itself a distinguishable feature when compared to other black-coated cases from competitors.

The military-inspired numerals on the new Limited Edition watch have always been an iconic feature of the Breitling Avenger series. They mirror the stencilled numerals that are painted on military vehicles, the decks of aircraft carriers and other equipment. In addition to this, the dial also features vertical and horizontal batons seen at 6 and 9 o’clock respectively. The shock-resistant limited edition Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission watch illuminates in dark conditions and during the night, directing the wearer to vital information on the dial. This is thanks to Super-LumiNova coated treatment applied to the hour markers and central hands. Ready for missions of the night, the watch is also equipped with a legible GMT hand for keeping on track of a second time zone, making the watch a particularly appealing collectable for frequent travellers. The GMT hand is highlighted in a zesty yellow colour to match the tip of the central second hand. Furthermore, the watch features a date aperture at 3 o’clock, dressed against a white background to enhance visibility. To go hand-in-hand with the luminous-coated dial appliques, the Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition watch is sealed with a protective cover crafted from strong sapphire crystal glass. The material is treated with layers of anti-reflective technology to its surface, ridding the wearer of any undesirable glare whilst referencing the time in the cockpit. The design of the DLC coated unidirectional, ratcheted bezel and easy-grip crown at 3 o’clock facilitate easy handling of the watch through thick pilot gloves.

Over the last few years, Breitling has focused on extending its customisation options throughout its entire catalogue. In the same fashion, the matching Khaki green military leather strap of the new Limited Edition Breitling watch can be available on a DLC-coated stainless steel pin buckle or a folding clasp. Inside the lightweight yet stealthy-looking black-coated titanium case of the Avenger watch is the powerful Calibre 32. The self-winding movement is based on the Swiss ETA 2893-2 and offers date, hours, minutes, seconds, date at 3 o’clock and an adjustable 24-hour hand. Utilized in popular Breitling Colt watches (which were subsequently retired to make way for newer Avenger watches), the movement is capable of a useful 42 running time and comprises 21 jewels and beats a rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It has also featured in the Superocean GMT models and Avenger II GMT models from Breitling’s portfolio of travel-friendly wristwatches.

To secure one of the 2,000 Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition watches priced at £4,040, call our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Technical specifications of the Breitling Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission watch:

• Case: 45mm titanium / 300-meter water resistant / DLC-coated / Screwed-in caseback / Screw-locked crown with two gaskets / cambered anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass / unidirectional rotating bezel
• Dial: Khaki green / Super-LumiNova coated Arabic numerals and baton indexes / Super-LumiNova coated central hands / yellow-coated GMT hand / yellow-tipped central hand / date window at 3 o'clock / internal 24-hour scale in black
• Movement: Self-winding mechanical with 2nd timezone / Breitling 32 / 42-hour power reserve / 21 jewels / 28,800 v.p.h.
• Strap: Military khaki green leather strap / 22/20mm / DLC-coated stainless steel tang-style buckle / alternative folding clasp option / buckle size 20mm
• Price: £4,040
• Availability: Limited to 2000 pieces worldwide