From brave first takeoffs to the birth of commercial air travel, Breitling’s history is inseparable from that of flight. In the 1930s, Breitling’s Huit Aviation department made its name inventing precision cockpit clocks. Two decades later, it introduced yet another novel flight instrument, this time in wearable form: the Ref. 765 AVI. That pioneering pilot’s watch provided the technical backdrop for today’s Classic AVI, a collection inspired by the rugged spirit of famed early aircraft. The Classic AVI Curtiss P-40 Warhawk honors one of those legends. Conceived as a pursuit aircraft, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk first flew in 1938 and quickly proved itself as a master of agility. It wasn’t just the plane’s capacity for pulling jaw-dropping turns that gave it an in-flight edge, its robust structure meant it could tolerate harsh weather conditions and even many mid-air collisions. The Warhawk’s defiant shark-mouth nose art sealed its reputation as the rebel of the skies. As a true pilot’s watch designed to withstand the rigors of a vintage cockpit, the Classic AVI Curtiss P-40 Warhawk features large, highly legible Arabic numerals on the dial and bezel. The knurled bezel on the 42mm case provides optimal grip, even in a pilot’s gloved hands. Top-stitched calfskin straps give a nod to the seams found on classic flight gear, while the stainless-steel bracelet provides an elegant alternative. Pilots and other travelers will appreciate its legibility, wearability, and understated style. The engine of the Classic AVI is the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 23 movement, which provides approximately 48-hours of power reserve.
Technical dataEmpty heading
Movement
Caliber
Breitling 23
Movement
Self-winding mechanical
Power Reserve
Approx. 48 hrs
Chronograph
1/4th second, 30 minutes, 12 hours
Vibration
28,800 v.p.h
Case
Case Material
Stainless steel
Caseback
Screwed in
Water Resistance
10 bars (100 m/330 ft)
Bezel
Bidirectional ratcheted
Crown
Screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal
Cambered sapphire, glareproofed both sides
Dimensions
Product Weight (Approx.)
110 g
Watch Head Weight (Approx.)
87 g
Diameter
42 mm
Thickness
14.7 mm
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip)
48 mm
Lug Width (in-between lugs)
22 mm
Strap
Strap Material
Calfskin leather
Strap Colour
Brown
Strap Type
Straight
Lug
22/18 mm
Buckle Material
Stainless steel
Buckle Type
Folding clasp
Buckle Size
18 mm
