In-depth Look at the Breitling Super AVI Chronograph GMT Curtiss Warhawk

The Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Curtiss Warhawk is one of five chronographs to be released as part of Breitling’s Super AVI watch series, paying homage to a wartime aircraft whilst also boasting subtle nods to a historical model from Breitling archives.

It was on the tarmac of a Dallas runway where Breitling launched four models from its Super AVI series, inspired by the Breitling Ref. 765 AVI from 1953. The P51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito all stood poised under an atmospheric sky to set the scene for the brand’s four new releases; the Super AVI P-51 Mustang, available in a steel or 18ct rose gold version, 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. Decades before, however, these four aircraft were dotted in the skies above Normandy and Berlin. Now they are owned by collectors who strive to keep these important memories in the history of aviation alive.

Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling extends on the new Super AVI watch collection; “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.”

Separating their styles from other flight-oriented timepieces, the five new Breitling Super AVI watches are particularly striking and offer something that feels and looks very unique on the wrist. Specifically, the Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Curtiss Warhawk has a distinct military green-coloured dial and looks similar to something that an old Master Sergeant would perhaps strap to his wrist. The instrument is a piece of old and new, wrapped up in a 46mm stainless steel case.

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft had a defiant shark-mouth shape for its nose and proved itself a master of agility fairly quickly. It first took to the skies in 1938, pulling breath-taking turns in the air whilst tolerating harsh external conditions thanks to its robust structure. Innumerable pilots owe their lives to this innovative construction, having served with twenty-eight allied and friendly nations. The workhorse was similar in design to the Hawker Hurricane, praised for bearing the brunt of air warfare over some of the bloodiest battlefronts.

Mirroring the stance and quality craftsmanship of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft, the new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT Curtis Warhawk watch is a companion for land and air. It will appeal to those with a love for vintage-inspired aviation instruments from Breitling’s historical catalogue, as well as those with an innate passion for wartime aircraft. The brand strengthens its links with the aeronautical industry with the release of this wristwatch, together with its four counterparts. 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.”

The new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT Curtiss Warhawk watch

The new Breitling Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk watch is both a chronograph and a GMT with a notched bezel that promotes an easy grip through pilot gloves. The 46mm model is integrated with 100-meter water resistance and is topped with a cambered sapphire crystal glass front, glare-proofed on both sides for maximum visibility during day and night. A screw-locked crown with two gaskets helps maintain this level of water resistance, whilst a sapphire crystal glass exhibition caseback grants an unhindered view into an in-house movement as it performs. Whilst admiring the self-winding engine, you can simultaneously appreciate an image of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft, etched into its surface. The watch sits at a 15.9mm depth on the wrist and features a bidirectional ratcheted bezel that can be used in conjunction with a red-tipped GMT hand for tracking a second time zone. As well as a notched bezel, the crown of the new Breitling Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk watch is also oversized.

The dial of the new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT Curtiss Warhawk watch is optimised for superb readability. Whether you’re in the cockpit, travelling to a new destination or admiring the level of attention-to-detail upon its military green dial whilst waiting for a boardroom meeting – readability is paramount. The khaki-coloured dial is met with silvery white-filled chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. These sub-scales offer a small second, 12-hour and 30-minute function respectively. The southern sub-dial is intertwined with a date window, whilst the northern hemisphere of the dial is emblazoned with the Breitling name and logo. The chronograph dial centres are executed in a neat concentric circles pattern, adding a sense of depth and dimension to the design. The large Arabic numeral hour markers and hands have been treated with green-emitting Super-LumiNova material to assist with timekeeping in the dark, whilst the small seconds function is adorned with striking red accents that exude strong military undertones.

Inside the heart of the Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT Curtiss Warhawk watch is a self-winding automatic movement that has been developed by the hands of Breitling’s expert team of watchmakers. The Breitling B04 calibre is COSC-certified and capable of providing an impressive 70-hour power reserve once fully wound. The engine comprises a column wheel and vertical clutch, with a 1/4th of a second chronograph hand, along with 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers. The bidirectional and ball bearing mechanism ensures constant, accurate timekeeping and the movement also performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The new Breitling Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk watch is completed on a dark brown pilot-inspired leather strap with a Breitling-engraved stainless steel folding clasp. For more information, feel free to speak to a member of our Jura Watches team or check the rest of the Super AVI range out here.

Technical specifications of the new Breitling Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT Curtiss Warhawk watch

• Case: 46mm – stainless steel – satin-brushed and polished finishes – 100-meter water-resistant – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – sapphire exhibition caseback adorned with an image of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft – screwed-in crown with two gaskets –steel bidirectional ratcheted bezel – oversized crown
• Dial: Military green – silver-white-filled chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock – small seconds, 12-hour and 30-minute totalisers – green-emitting Super-LumiNova-coated hour and minute hands and stick markers – red-tipped GMT hand – 24-hour scale – 1/4th of a second chronograph hand – date at 4 o’clock
• 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 – pilot-inspired – leather – stainless steel folding buckle – engraved with the Breitling logo
• Reference: AB04452A1L1X1
• Price: £7,900