Forums Latest Members

Breitling AVI 1953 Re-Issue

  1. PI Lawyer Jan 21, 2022

    Posts
    30
    Likes
    104
    I have had this recreation on my wrist for two days, and I absolutely love it. There has been a natural hesitancy to buy a Breitling due to how busy the dials have gotten over the years. With my older eyes, I don't want to have to wade through all of the distractions just to tell the time. Plus, I have girly-man wrists and can't pull off a 42mm or larger case size with confidence. So, when I saw this 1953 Re-issue, I was blown away. Breitling kept this thing true to the original release with a 41mm case and a manual-wind movement for a lower profile on the wrist (I can easily get it under a shirt sleeve). The lume is generous and hand-applied, the Arabic numerals are large, the pushers are solid and crisp to the touch while starting/stopping/resetting the chronometer, the bi-directional bezel rotates with authority and locks in at each hour mark, and the leather strap is soft and of good quality. The B-09 movement appears accurate so far. And the thing just looks so damned good! I'm giving it 5-stars out of the box.
     
    IMG_6207.jpg
  2. JwRosenthal Jan 21, 2022

    Posts
    14,860
    Likes
    40,073
    This is a lovely watch. Based just on readability, I would take this over a Speedy which to my aging eyes is an array of stick shapes. EE51AB59-F8FF-4D74-8B14-1605D30CC957.jpeg
     
    PI Lawyer and NGO1 like this.
  3. NGO1 Jan 21, 2022

    Posts
    1,304
    Likes
    5,996
    The AVI and 806 are the best re-releases from Breitling.


    @JwRosenthal for your eyes only :)
    83413059-29FD-4DEB-B1C8-BD2224DA97F2.jpeg
     
    PI Lawyer and JwRosenthal like this.
  4. JwRosenthal Jan 21, 2022

    Posts
    14,860
    Likes
    40,073
    I can still read this 81A37A77-61A6-417A-8CD8-6F2D82F8A037.jpeg
     
    ArmbandUhr69, PI Lawyer and NGO1 like this.
  5. cvalue13 Jan 22, 2022

    Posts
    3,979
    Likes
    8,393
    An amazing release; definitely on the list
     
  6. Gamma Jan 22, 2022

    Posts
    83
    Likes
    132
    Looks a bit like a Breguet Type XX. Also I’m not sure that Breitling is a “high end watch”? ;):D

    For full disclosure I own a Navitimer and love it so am a fan of Breitling :)
     
  7. cvalue13 Jan 22, 2022

    Posts
    3,979
    Likes
    8,393
    The original AVI predates the Type XX by a year or so, and the AVI was essentially the design copied by the Type XX. The reason is that 1952/3 Breitling was in negotiations with the French Air Force for a military contract - designing the AVI around their specifications including the big minute dial in 3 minute increments up to 15 - which contract Breitling finally lost to Breguet/Vixa

    69C85DC0-4E5C-49DD-A1A1-DFE2A1F4A446.jpeg D1AAD101-2F7F-4DB3-88B1-31803A2FB031.jpeg
     
    Edited Jan 22, 2022
    Faz, PI Lawyer, size11s and 1 other person like this.