Breitling AVI 1953 Re-Issue

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.

The AVI and 806 are the best re-releases from Breitling.


@JwRosenthal for your eyes only 😀

An amazing release; definitely on the list

Looks a bit like a Breguet Type XX. Also I’m not sure that Breitling is a “high end watch”? 😉😁

For full disclosure I own a Navitimer and love it so am a fan of Breitling 😀

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