Craftsmanship at Its Finest: Discovering Breitling's Collection 2023

An redesigned Avenger range of pilot-inspired timepieces has been released by Breitling. The Avenger series, which dates back to the early 2000s, has been simplified and pared down to provide a modern look. The Automatic 42, GMT 44, and B01 Chronograph 44 are part of the line; the chronograph is equipped with Breitling's production caliber 01.

Although the Avenger's rugged appearance and aviation inspiration are retained in the new collection, the revisions bring the Avenger into line with other updates we've seen throughout Breitling's range.

The Avenger, which is more recent than many of Breitling's other collections, is a bit of a contemporary mash-up of everything that makes Breitling unique. The descriptors "big," "bold," "rugged," "aviation-inspired," and "tool" almost speak for themselves.

Avenger GMT 44

The Avenger has been given some sleeker, more modern touches to its casing, dial, and profile. The Arabic numerals and large winged Breitling emblem have been replaced with a plain stencil "B" and baton markers. The GMT and chronograph variants have a 44mm stainless steel case, while the three-hander automatic has a 42mm case. When compared to the prior collection, they are all smaller. With polished accents on the tabs of the rotating bezel and bevels on the lugs, the case also boasts further detail and quality.

Thanks to the ETA base Breitling caliber 32, which is COSC-certified and has 42 hours of power reserve, the Avenger GMT 44 includes an independently changeable 24-hour hand that measures 44mm by 12mm (53 lug-to-lug). This is known as a "caller GMT" in Stacey lingo since it's the 24-hour hand that's adjustable, not the hour hand. The bi-directional rotating bezel of the Avenger GMT features the instantly recognizable "Rider tabs" at the cardinal directions, which are essentially a Breitling trademark. Starting at $5,250 on a strap, it is available with a black or blue dial on a bracelet or strap.

Avenger B01 Chronograph

The chronograph continues to be the most significant model in the Avenger family since it draws heavily from aviation inspiration. The four dial colors available for the Avenger Chronograph 44 are blue, green, black, or sand. It is available with a steel bracelet or military leather strap. The MSRP for a strap is $8,000.

Breitling has also developed the "Night Mission" version of the stainless steel chronograph, which has the identical specifications except for a black ceramic bezel and a casing with a black or yellow dial (the pushers and crown are titanium). The Night Mission Chronograph has an MSRP of $9,300.

Avenger Automatic 42

Finally, the time-and-date model of the new collection is the Avenger Automatic 42, which is driven by Breitling's COSC-certified caliber 17 (ETA caliber 2824-2). With dimensions of 42 x 12.1 mm (51 mm from lug to lug), it is slightly thicker than the GMT but smaller than the intricate Avenger models. Again, it comes with or without a band. It includes a unidirectional rotating bezel and a dial that is available in green, black, or blue. ranging from $4,600.

When taken as a whole, the new Avenger models offer a stylish and essential update to a line that was beginning to show its age. Considering that the chronograph employs Breitling's proprietary B01 chronograph caliber, their prices appear reasonable.